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J. Donovan Malley

@jdonovanmalley

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⚔South East UK Dungeon Synth⚔
ORCUS/L A N D S R A A D/Wych Elm/Villein and others
⚔No Fash⚔

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Day One of @woodlandfortressfest Woodland Fortress felt like stepping through a threshold into another world. Surrounded by trees, smoke, handmade banners, and the strange majesty of dungeon synth, the setting gave the music a weight that no conventional venue could reproduce. There was something genuinely communal about watching these performances unfold deep in the woods, with artists and audience sharing the same small patch of ground. These are a few images from the first day of a weekend I won’t be forgetting anytime soon.

#WoodlandFortress #DungeonSynth #DungeonSynthFestival #LiveMusicPhotography #PNWMusic taken in Red Hawk Avalon by @jdonovanmalley

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a month ago

It's taken a few days to process my thoughts about @woodlandfortressfest but I can safely say that this was a life altering experience.

What @brendanelliott.art and @elvaeryn created was a portal to another world. One filled with wonder, magic and of corse whimsy.

I cannot thank them enough for this experience, I did not capture many photographs of @redhawkavalon as I tried to remain as present as possible, but the grounds themselves as one of the most beautiful places I have ever been lucky enough to visit.

All the other artists, attendees and volunteers also contributed to making this weekend unforgettably magical, I'm so lucky to share this space with them and to have this time with some of best friends both old and new.

@hermitknight @fernmage.music @unsheathedglory @apoxuponus @psychic_hood @grimfathermusic @skabladd @vitruvianplague @zacharonincheez @josiahcampbell161 @thefogweaver @anhistoricmusic @messiahcarey @mosshelm @mister_behavin @truewoodarcher @mossyoubliette @theemberwilde @edgeofthewildrecords @thedarkfuturedungeon @mortwight
And so so many others that I would be here forever if I listed them all(sorry), thank you all for you kindness, respect, gifts, and advice on the best PB&J combinations

Woodland Fortress Forever
⚔️
📷: 5&6 by @vitruvianplague
7 by @theemberwilde by @jdonovanmalley

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a month ago

In preparation for this weekends @woodlandfortressfest Wych Elm presents the Woodland Fortress Demo.

2 sides both recorded live with 1 fm synth and a loop pedal.

A very limited amount of tapes will be available at the festival.

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#ambientmusic #dungeonsynth by @jdonovanmalley

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a month ago

I am on a lifelong quest to take the sickest photos of @orcus.ds possible. @forgottencoast_ds was a perfect opportunity to further my journey. This time I managed to make greater use of the fantasy anime imagery behind him, and the electronic shutter trick combined with this projector made for some nasty bars on some of these pics.

I consider Orcus as the truest rock star of the UK dungeon scene. Not just because he whips out a guitar and shreds every set, but because of how prolific and passionate he is, how innovative his projects are, and most importantly his sense of community. He was a great choice to close out this festival. by @jdonovanmalley

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a month ago

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a month ago

We are now TWO MONTH AWAY from the first edition of NORTH WEST DUNGEON FEST ⚔️

Over 50% of tickets have now sold out!!
Physical tickets are still available at @harpcoffeeandgames and available online through the link in the bio

EVENT INFORMATION

Doors/Finish Time
The doors to the venue will be open at 1pm. The final act performance will be scheduled to finish by 11pm - full stage times to be announced in the
coming months.

Accessibility
Bijou Cinema has full venue accessibility, including ramps, elevators, accessible restrooms - the venue does not provide parking, however street parking is available nearby the venue -
more info to follow!

NWDF will be an all ages event

Contact for further enquires:
blaggardrecords@gmail.com

We believe that a
safe, inclusive space is important to enjoy the fantastic worlds that artists playing at NWDF create, and
we strive to foster an atmosphere of
kindness and respect.

NO RACISM
NO SEXISM
NO HOMOPHOBIA
NO TRANSPHOBIA

⚔️⚔️⚔️ taken in Southport Bijou Cinema by @jdonovanmalley

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2 months ago

• 𝖂𝖞𝖈𝖍 𝕰𝖑𝖒 •

Autumnal forests, fog-shrouded meadows, and nostalgic villages: these are the images that the UK's Wych Elm evokes. Wych Elm summons ethereal, dreamlike worlds through reverb-drenched organs, bells, and choirs, reminding us that beauty still remains even amid loss. This exquisite project will be joining us in September for Woodland Fortress Fest, bringing its visions to the realm of Red Hawk Avalon.

Bandcamp: wychelm.bandcamp.com

Event info:
Dates: September 5th and 6th, 2026
Location: PE ELL, WA @redhawkavalon

🎟️ Only a few tickets remain! 🎟️
(Link in bio)

Border illustration and flyer artwork: @joan_llopis_illustrations by @jdonovanmalley

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3 months ago

• 𝕺𝕽𝕮𝖀𝕾 •

Hailing from Canterbury, England, Orcus is a pillar of the UK Dungeon Synth scene. With over seven releases to his name, Orcus has crafted an epic catalog of albums with a devoted following. Inspired by sword and sorcery fiction and anime, Orcus takes these themes and weaves them into musical tapestries of hope, sorrow, and adventure. With lush instrumentation, bombastic compositions, and high-energy percussion, Orcus can only be described as pure Sword and Sorcery Berserker Synth! ⚔️

In September 2026, Orcus will headline his first Northwest festival in the enchanted forests of @redhawkavalon at Woodland Fortress.

🎟️ Tickets are available now in our Bio 🎟️

Poster artwork: @joan_llopis_illustrations
Photo: @peterbeste by @jdonovanmalley

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6 months ago

The Mighty @orcus.ds, in his natural habitat. The backroom of a brewery, @dungeonsofwessex.

I posted some banger pics of ORCUS just recently, so I want to use this space to instead acknowledge that as well as being an absurdly prolific musician, in just a few months of knowing him, he's also become one of my all time favorite guys. A true legend of dungeon synth as an art and of dungeon synth as a community. Hail the mighty Orcus!

#dungeonsynth by @jdonovanmalley

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2 months ago

Tarry awhile with the cover and insert, and heed what masterworks stir within

𝕬𝖒𝖔𝖓𝖌 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝕽𝖚𝖎𝖓𝖘..
Sampler of Forgotten Marks – Sokol Keep Records

My deepest thanks to Silvana @silvana.massa.art for the magnificent art that crowns this darkened tome

Dedicated to one who no longer walks among us- @korrothia ⚔️

In order of summoning
@vassus.bm
@seregost_ds
@erythritethrone
@blades_of_folmar
@orcus.ds
@beren_luthien_ds
@oneofnineblackmetal
@ancientcaverns
@korrothia
@cavernwitch
@grimdorofficial
@vangar.ds
and many more in the deeper vaults of the digital release

Vinyl/MC - 28.08.26 - Worldwide - only from Sokol Keep Records

Also featuring companion art by @theyearbeforetime and @armoredfoe | Laid forth by @o.godwin.il & Ren o’ the Blade
Conceived with reverence and forged by Sokol Keep Records | Tempered in emberlit gloom MMXXVI | sokolkeep.uk | Haunt @sokol_keep_ds

Support the Underground, support dungeon synth ⚔️

#sokolkeep #dungeonsynth #ambient #darkambient #blackmetal by @jdonovanmalley

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2 months ago

L A N D S R A A D (@orcus.ds) at the New Cross Inn was phenomenal. Though I've seen this man play several sets these past few months, I haven't seen him perform this act since March, and it's probably my favorite of his.

For this gig, I decided to use my wireless flash for once. I usually like to utilise only the available light of the room, raise my ISO, introduce grain and softness and ambiguity to the photos, but I can't deny the flash has a very powerful appeal. And I figured this was the best gig for it. A venue I've shot before, all the acts performing are ones I've shot before, and all friends so I can ask them nicely if they'll put up with being flashed in the face a hundred times.

More about that tomorrow. by @jdonovanmalley

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2 months ago

𝕬𝖒𝖔𝖓𝖌 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝕽𝖚𝖎𝖓𝖘..
Sampler of Forgotten Marks – Sokol Keep Records

Featuring a trove of masterworks from the Label

..and dedicated to one who no longer walks among us- @korrothia ⚔️

In order of summoning
@vassus.bm
@seregost_ds
@erythritethrone
@blades_of_folmar
@orcus.ds
@beren_luthien_ds
@oneofnineblackmetal
@ancientcaverns
@korrothia
@cavernwitch
@grimdorofficial
@vangar.ds
and many more in the deeper vaults of the digital release

Vinyl/MC - 28.08.26 - Worldwide - only from Sokol Keep Records – your 𝔊𝔞𝔱𝔢𝔴𝔞𝔶 𝔱𝔬 𝔄𝔡𝔳𝔢𝔫𝔱𝔲𝔯𝔢

Featuring original cover and interior art, wrought in iron and dusk by @silvana.massa.art

Portcullis companion art by @theyearbeforetime | Rear armoury icons by @armoredfoe | Laid forth by @o.godwin.il & Ren o’ the Blade
Conceived with reverence and forged by Sokol Keep Records | Tempered in emberlit gloom MMXXVI | sokolkeep.uk | Haunt @sokol_keep_ds

Support the Underground

I offer my gratitude and respect to all the Artists - Architects of Shadow and weavers of differing forms within our blackened soundscapes. And to you, who cross the threshold of Sokol Keep for your dungeon hymns, it is you who keep the torches burning in these halls. Truly, you keep the night at bay. I lift my sword to you
-Ren

#sokolkeep #dungeonsynth #ambient #darkambient #blackmetal by @jdonovanmalley

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2 months ago