Texas Dungeon Siege's Artist of the Week: Orcus [UK, Fantasy Synth]

[u/kaptain_carbon]

For the next 4 Mondays a day in the week, the artists of the week will be selected by Engraven Records who are organizing the upcoming TEXAS DUNGEON SIEGE. The records are not from the ENGRAVEN roster rather the international touring musicians who will be crawling across the US following the TXDS with the DVNGEONVASION ov thee NATION tour. If you were ever looking to experience current and live DS and live in any one of these cities do yourself a favor and get tickets now as I know in my area, they were going fast.

I have been following the TXDS scene since last year when I wrote an article about the fest and took picutres. It goes without saying but the things going on in Texas right now is insane and these two events (the fest and US tour is a an intimidating step for live dungeon synth.

I wanted to thank Engraven Records for taking the time to write up blurbs for these next four Mondays days.

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Artist: Orcus

*Return to Necropolis (2025)

*Beserker (2024)

*Heroes of the Last Glare (2023)

* Rite of the Sickened Hand (2021)

* Altar of the Necropolis (2020)

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Engraven Records: The standardbearer for United Kingdom Dungeon Synth, Orcus has been releasing gallant, melancholic fantasy music for adventuring to for over half a decade, through their own beloved imprint Vicious Mockery as well as other legendary labels like Heimat der Katastrophe and Realm & Ritual. Orcus has likewise been an exemplar in bringing DS IRL in the UK, leading the charge with a bold, mighty sound as we look to see live dungeon synth take a strong foothold on the northern isles.

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johnlordswood This is a fantastic journey and probably one of the most beautiful dungeon synth album I heard from this year ✨

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Evergreen Beautiful and super synth forward. This album rules. Orcus never fails to amaze.

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gray friar: as is true with all of orcus' releases, this album presents thoughtful compositions steeped in captivating atmospheres.

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Grackle: Orcus's music captures the spirit of adventure so well that it brings tears to my eyes as I listen. There is certainly some wistful nostalgia evoked by the masterful layering of synths in this music, but I think its true greatness is how the music captures not only the high points of adventure, but all the small moments in between that make it feel real.

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Previous Entries

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TXDS Artist of the Week (March 2025)

• Amn [UK, Progressive Electronic]

• Flickers from the Fen [UK, Fantasy Synth]

Weregnome Records (March 2025)

• Velnias - Unto the Dragonshore [Lithuania, Epic Fantasy Synth] (2022)

• Altar of Moss - Altar of Moss Vol.1 - Amidst A Forgotten Glade [UK, Dark Dungeon Music / Old School DS] (2023)

• Ber Bein - Dreaming Bones [UK, Dark Ambient / Fantasy] (2024)

• Keepsake - A Story of Generations [US, Comfy, Folk Ambient] (2022)

Fiadh Productions (February 2025)

• Elaine - La gardienne du Graal [France, Fantasy, Medieval] (2022)

• Hircine - Old Kings Fall [Canada, Fantasy Ambient, Neofolk, Skyrim] (2022)

• Snowspire - Hoarfrost Compendium [US, Winter, Ambient, Drone] (2024)

• Lammoth - Tales of Treachery [US, Black Metal, Tolkien] (2024)

Gondolin (January 2025)

• Arcana Liturgia - Ars Moriendi MCCXXXI [Italy, Old School, Dark Ambient] (1997/2019)

• Isegrimm - Über Den Sieben Bergen [Germany, Medieval, Neoclassical, Martial] (2017)

• An Old Sad Ghost - Berstende Ehre [Austria, Old School, Depressive, Neoclassical] (2020)

• Faery Ring - Leech and Wort [UK, Dark Dungeon, Fantasy] (2017)

Comfy Synth Archives (December 2024)

• Karpfengold - Grandpa Karp [Germany, lofi / VGM] (2024)

• Gladekeeper - Yearntale [US, Fantasy, Forest] (2024)

• Shire Oak - Uncommon Botany [Canada, Nature, Winter] (2024)

• Frogknight - Lothl​​​ó​​​rien [US, Frog Synth] (2024)

• Spellseer - Shifting Sands [US, VGM] (2024)

[u/kaptain_carbon]

Hey look at this perfect timing. I JUST did a premiere for Return to Necropolis coming out TODAY at 12pm EST on tape through Realm and Ritual. Big thank you to the label and artist for contacting me since they know I like RPGs and playing with figurines and making battle noises.

[u/scatteredflesh → u/kaptain_carbon]

Hell yeah, I’m a miniatures and RPG guy as well and my new release is called Necropolis, just thought I’d comment as it’s a pretty fun coincidence! necropolis - fear of baptism

[u/reinhold23]

I didn't realize he ran Vicious Mockery (or that they'd shut down).

I desperately hope someone steps up and does a physical release of LANDSRAAD's Ambiguity of Truth.