Aesthetic Death

Reviews

Overall rating: ★★★★★ - add a review for this release.

What they say...

• Ultimate Metal webzine

Although seemingly depressive, the music of Esoteric is actually vivacious in affirming the validity of such dark feelings through art...

Read the full review on Ultimate Metal webzine or read an archived copy.

• Sputnik Music webzine

Esoteric are the undeniable and unparalleled masters of 90s doom metal. Epistemological Despondency is a true classic that needs to be heard by all....

Read the full review on Sputnik Music webzine or read an archived copy.

• Metal Storm webzine

Epistemological Despondency" is the debut of the English doom band, Esoteric, and there's not a single sign of love, joy, hope or any positive feelings in this album. AT ALL....

Read the full review on Metal Storm webzine or read an archived copy.

What you say...

• Magoo

Excellent album - beautifully packaged and a lovely warm sound on vinyl. Innovative and timeless extreme doom - a legendary debut from this awesome act.
Rating: ★★★★★

• Alex Yakulov

One of the best doom metal albums ever! Beautiful vinyl reissue of Greg and Co. Hope the series will continue in the same manner! "Bereft" is one of the heaviest records I ever heard, the whole atmosphere is so dark and heavy as it must be for a real masterpiece of doom metal!
Rating: ★★★★★

• 4V Records

Enormous thank you for vinyl and for everything subsequent vinyls which you will produce. Creation of this collective does not release me from the beginning of their existence, but when I listened this vinyl, understood that ESOTERIC must be listened only on such transmitter is a sound engrossing. I wish you in New Year, that you produced all albums on vinyl, long-awaited Esoteric LP Box Set produced, and also all subsequent albums also presented for us, veritable judges of deep analog sound and creation of ESOTERIC, on vinyl. In all the best and creative successes in New Year!!!
Rating: ★★★★★

• Jacob Snead

Absolutely crushing for its time period. The pressing itself is absolutely beautiful and fills the room with a warm yet destructive atmosphere. I expect the future Esoteric releases to follow this album in quality of sound! Thanks AD, Esoteric deserves their output on vinyl!
Rating: ★★★★★

• Joe from So. Cal.

After listening to less than one minute of this album I immediately knew I must have it. Words like Macabre, Ghoulish, Creepy and Sinister immediately come to mind. Hearing this work is like having a lucid nightmare; I know I'm dreaming but I choose to continue just to see what happens... The music here is indeed special. It's definitely Black Metal but not in the abrasive, pounding sense. More like a sort of dark atmosphere that just seems to hemorrhage out and surround you. This amazing group has produced a cadence that many try to bring about but few are able to truly generate in such a masterful way. Simply put, this is a haunting fantasy laid in wax. The fact that it is available as a 2 LP vinyl edition puts it solidly over the edge. And because it is so essential it gets my vote as the finest release of its type in all of 2011, without reservation.
Rating: ★★★★★

• Joe Hawker

One of the most pivotal doom metal albums of the 90's gets the release it deserves - a beautiful, well thought out pressing on thick, great quality vinyl with a perfect mix. Wonderful packaging too, a premium package. Turn it up and lose your mind. Props to Esoteric, props to AD.
Rating: ★★★★★

• k.w.

Everyone knows the music on this is great, but wait until you see the package. Heavy vinyl, quality gatefold, hand numbered. Excellent overall package. Oh yeah, by the way, the music sounds amazing too, great warm sound.
Rating: ★★★★★