Esoteric - The Maniacal Vale

Esoteric . The Maniacal Vale . 2008. 4.5 stars .

The UK’s Esoteric have crafted a monolithic and disturbing work of art with The Maniacal Vale . I’d be hard pressed to name another album that rivals its sheer density, its suffocating power and despairing atmosphere. While its flaws are noticeable, namely its length (two discs!) and repetitive rhythms, it still manages to provide an enveloping emotional experience.

The sound here is quintessentially doom metal, with plodding guitars that scream and echo over unintelligible growls and slow, crashing percussion. Arpeggio riffs and ambient passages also lead to some psychedelic moments, adding to the expansive, swirling torrents of sound. The song structures themselves don’t vary too drastically, but they do contain clear movements that go through peaks and valleys, making The Maniacal Vale a captivating albiet exhausting journey. As an exercise in cathartic release, The Maniacal Vale is masterful in its execution. While some of its sections could have used some more direction and streamlining, its excessive qualities are part and parcel to Esoteric’s singular, uncompromising vision. Let it wash over you.

Quickening (Live)

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