Epistemological Despondency
Esoteric · 1994
88 min · 6 tracks · funeral doom metal
A suffocating blend of slow, crushing riffs and haunting atmospheres that embodies the essence of despair.
Top tracks — play these first
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Bereft — Clocking in at over twenty minutes, this track encapsulates the album's ethos, featuring an immersive progression through melancholic melodies and crushing heaviness.
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The Noise of Depression — This track is emblematic of Esoteric's unique sound, combining unsettling ambient passages with brutal riffs that evoke a profound sense of despair.
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Awaiting My Death — As the longest track on the album, it showcases the band's ability to build tension and atmosphere over extended periods, making it a standout piece in their catalog.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's lengthy tracks and heavy atmosphere create a unique experience within funeral doom metal.
What we noticed
- The album features extended track lengths, with each song averaging over eight minutes, allowing for gradual build-ups and atmospheric shifts.
- Riffs are heavily distorted and played at a slow tempo, creating a crushing heaviness that dominates the sound throughout the record.
- Vocals are sparse and often buried in the mix, contributing to the overall sense of despair rather than serving as a focal point.
- The use of ambient interludes between tracks enhances the haunting atmosphere, providing moments of reflection amidst the heaviness.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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9/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Bereft 20:29
- 2 Only Hate (Baresark) 2:47
- 3 The Noise of Depression 18:59
- 4 Lamented Despondency 12:41
- 5 Eradification (of Thorns) 7:19
- 6 Awaiting My Death 26:20
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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