Esoteric

Doom Metal - United Kingdom

Esoteric Band

For nearly thirty years ESOTERIC have been pushing the limits of sonic intensity. From the mind-bending darkness of their 90’s double albums ‘Epistemological Despondency’ and ‘The Pernicious Enigma’, to the expansive epics found on their recent opuses ‘The Maniacal Vale’ and ‘Paragon of Dissonance’, they have never compromised their initial aim – to unleash aural mayhem on unsuspecting listeners. Late 2019 sees the release of their most accomplished work to date, ‘A Pyrrhic Existence’.

Begun in the post-industrial decay of Birmingham in 1992, the band initially took influence from personal excursions into inner space, contemporary death metal, and their own warped take on 70’s progressive and psychedelic music. The early years saw them perform live infrequently, often to perplexed (and sometimes hostile) audiences. The prevailing ethos in the underground, and indeed heavy music in general in the early 90’s was one of speed. Along with a few of their contemporaries scattered across the globe, ESOTERIC eschewed this in favour of slow building intensity, extended and multi-layered compositions, and free form noise breaks. A foreboding and pervasive sense of unease permeated the early recordings – this was truly dark music. Throughout the 90’s the band remained very much in the underground, perfecting their craft, unmoved by trends or the expectations of the fickle masses.

Albums such as ‘The Pernicious Enigma’ and ‘Metamorphogenesis’ saw them develop and refine their sound, evolving naturally, never appearing contrived. Problems finding dedicated members meant decreased activity in the late 90’s – finding a suitable drummer proved particularly difficult.

2003 saw the band rejuvenated. With the line-up complete for the first time in years, and signing to Season of Mist for the release of their fourth album ‘Subconscious Dissolution into to Continuum’, they performed their first live shows since 1997. The growing interest in the style of music ESOTERIC had been peddling without compromise since 1992 meant more opportunities to perform on stage, something the band has relished. ESOTERIC has developed into a formidable and respected live act, playing tours and festivals throughout Europe and beyond, sharing stages with bands and artists including AHAB, ALCEST, SWALLOW THE SUN, MAYHEM, EMPOREROR and festivals such as Brutal Assault, SWR Barroselas, Hell’s Pleasure, Damnation Festival, Madrid is The Dark, and many more.

Released in 2008, ‘The Maniacal Vale’ proved to be the bands most ambitious and successful album to date, simultaneously honouring the chaos of the earlier releases whilst expanding into territory that at first glance may seem at odds with the bands ethos, yet has always lurked within their compositions – namely, a sense a melody and grandeur. Having been hinted at on previous albums, this side of the band was fully realized. This was followed in 2011 by ‘Paragon of Dissonance’, an album equal to its predecessor in compositional scope and ambition.

2019 will see the release of the bands seventh opus, ‘A Pyrrhic Existence’, 98 minutes of new material that once again expands on the bands sound, yet retains elements of all their preceding works. It is a culmination of 27 years of uncompromising dedication to their craft – detailed and layered compositions and a high level of musicianship, foreboding production, and equal measures of utter darkness and melodic diversity. The current line up consists of Gordon Bicknell (Guitar since 1992), Mark Bodossian (Bass since 2003), Greg Chandler (Guitar and vocals since 1992), Joe Fletcher (Drums since 2007), and Jim Nolan (Guitar since 2009).

Line-up:

  • Greg Chandler : Vocals, Guitars
  • Mark Bodossian : Bass
  • Joe Fletcher : Drums
  • Jim Nolan : Guitars
  • Gordon Bicknell : Guitars
  • Jan Krause : Keyboard
Date Venue City Country Info Ticket
May 10th, 2024 White Rock Lounge Minneapolis, MN United States w/ Vacant Eyes Buy Ticket
May 11th, 2024 Reggies Chicago, IL United States w/ Vacant Eyes Buy Ticket
May 12th, 2024 Garrison Toronto, ON Canada w/ Vacant Eyes Buy Ticket
May 13th, 2024 Dominion Theater Ottawa, ON Canada w/ Vacant Eyes Buy Ticket
May 14th, 2024 Piranha Bar Montreal, QC Canada w/ Vacant Eyes Buy Ticket
May 15th, 2024 L'Anti Bar Quebec City, QC Canada w/ Vacant Eyes Buy Ticket
May 16th, 2024 Space Portland, ME United States w/ Vacant Eyes Buy Ticket
May 17th, 2024 Ralph's Rock Diner Worcester, MA United States w/ Chthe'ilist Buy Ticket
May 18th, 2024 Fete Lounge Providence, RI United States w/ Chthe'ilist Buy Ticket
May 19th, 2024 TV Eye NYC, NY United States w/ Spectral Voice Buy Ticket
May 20th, 2024 Preserving Underground Pittsburgh, PA United States w/ Chthe'ilist Buy Ticket
May 21st, 2024 The Camel Richmond, VA United States w/ Chthe'ilist Buy Ticket
May 22nd, 2024 Kung Fu Necktie Philadephia, PA United States w/ Spectral Voice Buy Ticket
May 23rd, 2024 Baltimore Baltimore, MD United States Maryland Deathfest XIX Buy Ticket
May 23rd, 2024 Maryland Death Fest Baltimore, MD United States w/ Spectral Voice Buy Ticket
June 29th, 2024 Boston Music Room London United Kingdom A Triumvirate of Doom w/ Skepticism + AHAB Buy Ticket
Posted on February 9, 2024

Esoteric move at their own punishing pace. The band climbed out of the post-industrial wreckage of metropolitan England back in the early ’90s, when the underground was hell-bent on death-defying speed. That these Birmingham Britons bucked that trend by hitting the brakes ran circles around some slower-witted metalheads. But while ahead of the curve, they’re now rightfully regarded as one of the heaviest — and headiest — hitters in funeral doom.

Posted on March 29, 2023

Dark experimental doom band Esoteric have announced a new Australian tour, which will take place in during the Australian winter in June/July 2023. The ‘Maniacal Pyrrhonism’ tour will kick off at the Brightside venue in Brisbane, followed by 4 more dates throughout the country! A full list of confirmed dates can be found below.

Posted on February 2, 2023

Funeral doom masters Esoteric will be embarking on a run of Australian dates starting on June 6, 2023 in Brisbane! The trek will make its way around the country until its conclusion on July 2 in Adelaide. The full itinerary can be found below!

Posted on August 29, 2022

Dark experimental doom band ESOTERIC are announcing a new European Tour dates, supporting their fellow titans of Doom; SATURNUS. ESOTERIC will be touring for the first time since the 2019 release of “A Pyrrhic Existence”.

See all Esoteric news
A Pyrrhic Existence
2 CD Digibook
3 LP Gatefold (blue)
T-shirt 'A Pyrrhic Existence'
Metal pin