‘Eternal Winds of Ash & Ice’ by Hellige
‘Eternal Winds of Ash & Ice’ by Hellige
Dungeon synth nerds, take note: Hannah Wilkinson's debut as Hellige, Eternal Winds of Ash & Ice, stands as a beacon in the dungeon synth scene. This seven-track album, mixed and mastered by another dungeon synth master, DIM, at Lowly Dying Steward, delivers a genuinely uplifting spiritual journey wrapped in medieval grandeur. Wilkinson's approach to atmosphere is remarkably sophisticated, crafting soundscapes that feel like illuminated manuscripts brought to life through sound. The album's thematic material draws deep from wells of spiritual transformation and medieval mysticism. The Norwegian-Danish origins of "Hellige,” meaning "holy" or "hallowed,” permeate every track, creating music that truly consecrates the listening experience. This is perhaps most evident in "Wreath of Kingsfoil," where impressive string work and plucking synth create the sensation of entering a majestic medieval city. Yet Hellige balances this grandeur with acknowledgment of human suffering, the disheartening hum that underlies the majesty serving as a reminder that transcendence often emerges from struggle.
The opener, "O Sweet Light, Sweet Siren," helps Hellige establish her distinctive voice within the dungeon synth landscape. The captivating synth work weaves ethereal tones that feel both ancient and timeless, drawing you into a realm where the sacred and fantastical converge.
What sets Eternal Winds of Ash & Ice apart is its dynamic emotional range. "Emerald Flesh" pulses with dark energy before erupting into an aggressive, marching string riff that evokes the intensity of medieval combat, while "Weighted Wings" showcases Hellige's compositional mastery through a lullaby-inspired opening that evolves into a complex orchestral piece moving from peaceful to frantic, all while maintaining an air of hope and sanctity. These aren't static ambient pieces but living, breathing compositions that mirror the spiritual journey itself.
Hellige's "The Snow It Melts the Soonest" showcases her ability to transform traditional material into something personal. Her minimal approach creates a meditation on impermanence that's melancholic and healing. Wilkinson's vocals merge into the warm atmosphere, symbolizing the fleeting nature of love and suggesting that impermanence holds sacred beauty. DIM's production crafts an expansive, intimate sonic environment. Wilkinson and DIM's collaboration exemplifies layered depth, with each track revealing new details. "Forests in Gold" shows dissonant sounds evolving into something transcendent, like divine truth breaking through darkness. The album ends with "Graven Pathways," an atmospheric piece with glittering synth, like a benediction. It's a fitting conclusion to a work that blends art and spirituality, reminding us that even in winter, there's renewal and grace.
Eternal Winds of Ash & Ice occupies a unique position alongside the more spiritually inclined works of artists like Gelure and Foglord. While maintaining the genre's commitment to medieval atmosphere, Hellige offers something that feels genuinely transformative rather than merely nostalgic. This is fantasy music that doesn't escape from the world but seeks to enchant it, to reveal the sacred that lies hidden within the everyday.
