020 - Dronn - Arcanvm Agnosticvm

 

Disoriented.  The smell of mold and decay permeate.  Where am I? Why can’t I move?  Trapped, I’m trapped somewhere.  What is going on? Why is my head locked in this stockade? Why am I in a dungeon?  What’s that sound? Footsteps? Metal dragging on the ground?  What is going on?

Panic sets in as the realization of what is transpiring slowly dawns on me.  I am in his dungeon, the dungeon of Dronn.  Dronn, the Executioner.  He is coming to take my life.  How did I get here? I have so much left to do in my life. I have to get out of here! I can’t move! Please someone save me!  Oh god, oh GOD it's HIM!  No please spare me plea… the sound of flesh severed, a thud, silence.

Translating music into visual imagery is something that is not easily done.  It requires not only a strong vision of what the composer wishes the listener to experience, but also selecting the correct instrumentation and strong pacing.  All of these elements are present in Dronn, the Executioner, the fourth track off of Dronn’s latest EP, Arcanvm Agnosticvm.  

The disorientation and dread are portrayed by timponies and double bass.  The growing sense of panic is painted by violins.  Rhythmic staccatoed strings grow into a swell of desperation.  Horns bellow, signaling the end has come.  All of these elements are combined to show the final moments of life before it is violently stripped away.  

“Dronn, The Executioner is meant to be cinematic. Imagine a dank dungeon underneath a rotting castle atop a hill. It's after midnight and rain is beating down on the weathered stone. Dronn is there. He's been waiting for anyone to show up so he can continue his calling: execution.” says Dronn mastermind  composer Gregorio Franco of his creation.

Gregorio Franco is known for his darksynth works.  He routinely delves into other genres, ranging from video game music to city pop.  When creating dungeon synth he records under the name Dronn.

Arcanvm Agnosticvm is his first release in over a year under the Dronn moniker.  The short EP features baroque instrumentation in a neo-classical composition style.  Each song forges its own identity through various means.  Prelude in D# Minor features influences from Bach in the use of pipe organs as well as Nobou Uematsu inspirations for many of the other instruments and arrangements used.

The aptly titled Processional features the devastating use of a harpsichord to paint a vivid picture of mourning, giving it a very different tone and feel than the remainder of the EP.  “Processional was written during a time of extreme depression and contemplation. I wanted to use different tones instead of the normal dungeon synth instruments I use.  I had a hard time getting that finished.”

While all five songs on the album are of high quality, it's this shift in pacing and instrumentation that makes Processional differentiate itself.  Placed directly in the center, it offers a moment of contemplation and sombre reflection amid the drama and cacophony of the remaining compositions.  It is one of my favorite pieces of the year.

Arcanvm concludes with a fully orchestrated cover of Castlevania’s Bloody Tears.  This bookends the entire affair in the same way it begins, with surging pipe organs.  Not only does the cover do justice to the original, Franco transforms it into his own style here.  A must for any good cover.

With a play time of just over 20 minutes Arcanvm Agnosticvm packs a lot of meat onto its dungeon synth bones. Like a multi course meal, each song offers something different to consume.  Be it a pipe organ fugue, or fearing for our lives as war drums signal an oncoming conflict.  This short EP is a feast for the ears, and warrants multiple listens to fully digest.  Headphones and darkness are highly recommended.

Equipment used

This album was primarily made with Kontakt and FL VSTs and sampling. Session Strings was used as well.

Acknowledgements

Huge thanks to Gregorio Franco for taking the time to talk about his music and life in general the past few months.  Cheers brother!  Additional thanks to Blissmonkey for editing and promotion.