Eerie Wail from Dusk

Back in the times when I still had a radio program and a fanzine, I was lucky enough to get tons of albums for free. When I see lucky enough, it actually depended on what I got! I often received demos, ranging from very good to very bad. So when I received the CD-R of this neighboring band (they were from the region next to mine) and read their biography, I didn't really know what to expect, except for the fact that I was sure it wouldn't be brutal death metal! The description made by the made truly fit the music. However, there are so many various types of symphonic or atmospheric black metal that this deserves to be better explained.

Nowadays atmospheric black metal is often linked to some post black image in the vein of Blut Aus Nord's "Memoria vetusta 3", while the music which is on this demo is completely different. Don't forget that we were still in the very beginning of the 2000s. Many so called symphonic black metal bands have already switched to a music which integrated more electro oriented structures or some gothic touch. Esoteria is much closer to the late 90s vein. This album is sad, mixes between very slow and rather fast parts, depressive and has a real focus on the keyboards.

The atmosphere created by the keyboards and the low guitar tune which accompanies it with rather good riffs and varied drums is mesmerizing. This band has a real personal touch. It reminds me a bit on Maldoror, early Lux Occulta or even Abigor for the guitar sound. "Immortal" is the best song and synthesizes well the different aspects Esoteria is able to create. The occasional female vocals are great. They are not really sung and more sound like some ghost. The raspy black metal vocals are close to those of Summoning. Since not everybody likes these types of rasps, it's better for you to know it. The only thing which I can't sustain are the deep kind of growls. They are quite rare and it's better so.

So to sum up, you will find some great symphonic/atmospheric black metal with lots of rhythmic changes, inspired keyboard melodies, good guitars with some clean solos, arpeggios and distorted riffs with a medieval touch in the vein of Abigor. This band has a real personality and I can't understand how it is possible that they split after only one album. They deserved much better.