EP Review: Garden Gnome – Phegnomenology of Spirit (Voices Of The Ainur)

Released July 23, 2023, digitally and now getting a limited cassette run via Voices Of The Ainur on October 20th, Phegnomenology of Spirit combines the best of black metal and dungeon synth. A project of Jason Kiss (AKA Lonegoat) of Goatcraft, Garden Gnome offers up a short release that draws on a depth of fantasy-based gnome lore, while tying in very real concepts of philosophy, politics, ideological conflict and faction based purges.

Black metal and dungeon synth, a match made in heaven, most of the time. Garden Gnome certainly does an impressive job of blending the genres together, giving the combination a unique vibe because of the fantasy-based gnome lore.

We’re not talking about just a smidgeon of imagination here though; we’re talking about detailed storytelling. Just read the information that is available about this release on Garden Gnomes’ Bandcamp to understand that.

That’s very cool, but how about the music? Well, Phegnomenology of Spirit features four tracks and comes in at around eleven minutes long overall. Up first is Die Stunde ihrer Geburt and it is very dark and sinister sounding. An extra commanding touch coming from the guest vocals of David Burke. Though it’s the ethereal and creepy vibes of the title track that really takes hold. An imaginative and interesting listen that is deeply rooted in the dungeon synth world.

Das Ding an Sich (Am Ende wird Gnomenhauer als der wahre Erbe des Gnomewegian Idealismus gefeiert werden) might take the crown for one of the longest track titles ever, but it also stands out by being both ominous and fantastical. Which, is certainly par for the course as far as the full release goes. Just listen to the finale of Getötet von der Dialektik to confirm that.

It’s mightily impressive of Garden Gnome to immerse the listener so deeply in such a short amount of time. That makes Phegnomenology of Spirit a bit of a winner, regardless of taste.

Garden Gnome – Phegnomenology of Spirit Track Listing:

1. Die Stunde ihrer Geburt
2. Phegnomenology of Spirit
3. Das Ding an Sich (Am Ende wird Gnomenhauer als der wahre Erbe des Gnomewegian Idealismus gefeiert werden)
4. Getötet von der Dialektik

Links

Bandcamp | Voices Of The Ainur