Review: The Mountain King – Pike Dreams (Full album, 2026) | Doom

Band info

Band: The Mountain King
Album: ‘Pike Dreams‘
Release: March 6th, 2026
Genre: doom, dungeon synth
Location: Germany

Review

WARNING: This reviewer is not a fan of dungeon synth!

Okay, so The Mountain King. They tag themselves as dungeon synth on Bandcamp, but what really piqued this reviewer’s interest was the fact that they had also tagged doom and drone metal. Now this is a combination that may seem a little far-fetched, but it makes complete sense with what The Mountain King can pull off on Pike Dreams. The anonymity of this reviewer must remain intact, of course, but we can guarantee you that their jaw dropped on the floor when this album started.

This is not a typical dungeon synth album at all. Yes, there are synthesisers and percussion, but there is no medieval melodies and skipping through a castle vibe here. This is dark, melancholic and a lamentation of humanity’s legacy throughout time. As the band themselves say:

“This is not a dream of the past.

It is a reckoning with what has survived it.”

There are doomy structures here, with constant repetition and funeral-esque drums, complemented by mid-tempo, sludgy sections. However, The Mountain King always returns (cleverly) to that tag, “Dungeon Synth”. Synth passages are used to complement the larger piece, not as a vehicle for medieval melodies. As such, one can only describe Pike Dreams as an experience. We’d really recommend putting this one on in a dark room with low light. It helps sell the entire vibe and experience. Fans of Godspeed You! Black Emperor fans might also like this one.

Now, before the rest of the ABMN members who are dungeon synth fans crucify me for my negative comments about dungeon syn-

DUNGEON SYNTH IS COOL, FINE!

Band info

Review

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