This deranged valley of sounds nails our hand to enter the hallucinative endarkenment Esoteric music stands for; along the way, we find out echoes from previous releases. Some mellow leads remind us of Epistemological Despondency, the same as some brutal death metal passages. The pounding crushing doom is the band's very own trademark. The guitar focus is in the vein of monumental Subconscious Dissolution into the Continuum. Here and there, now and then, manifold traces. One could speak about this album regarding it as a synthesis of the feelings scented in their previous release. Call it back to their roots if you want... to be wrong. It's simply a refinement of their doom symphonic ensemble to redefine themselves and remark their traits the most accurate way. So all the elements are this time still better assembled with a quite improved flowing of the music. Guitar leads, synths, growlings, psychedelic landscapes, hazy harmonies, wisely combined and intertwined, knitted with abysmal needles. “Circle” intends to grab the listener, and bring in the dark night of the soul. The startling drops of beauty, so delicate, turn slowly into thunderous ventures drenched in the trademark doom sound Esoteric exhibit in each release. A circle... songs are a procession of exquisite, gloomy taste in songwriting and the word “progressive” is plainly justified if needed when depicting these musicians' efforts. “Beneath this face” is a funeral doom suite with all the words. Or did you expect any other thing at the sight of the length of this double studio album? Each song alone justifies the money invested. Because... yes, boys and girls, I can't imagine you are coward enough to download this collection of hymns to despair and despondency... not to talk about how empty might be the experience of listening to The Maniacal Vale from in an impersonal PC folder.

This album made me shiver where less imagined, in a personal question: will they be able to match this masterpiece next time? And a scary voice whispered in my brain “still you believe in future?” Kowtow to this opus.

written by Fjordi

Playing time: 1:41:49