Metamorphogenesis

by Jason HundeyOut of England comes the searing Esoteric with their epic, crushing style of despair-ridden atmospheric doom metal. Similar in approach to the mighty Morgion and the deceased Disembowelment (now Trial of the Bow), listening to Esoteric is like experiencing an exorcism of the soul. Each of the three long songs makes for a surreal journey through the listener's endless stream of consciousness, where it unmasks hidden fears and insecurities. Not unlike a Morgion album, the listener loses all sense of time and continuity, as if trapped in a world of dark, distorted reality. Haunting, painful vocals (think Mindrot) accompany bottom-heavy rhythm guitar that intermingles with (older) Katatonia-esque disharmonic lead guitar to make for a truly horrific, daunting listen. Metamorphogenesis could serve as the expressionist soundtrack to the apocalypse and its indescribable aftermath. As the name implies, Esoteric is not accessible to all fans of metal, but there is a small minority that will lovingly embrace the band's arcane message and apocalyptic sound.