Slowly but steadily a sound rises, starting upon a deceptively light note, but rapidly turns into a swelling tide of massively droning guitars. Vocals crush in like a tidal wave, breaking with a voice as harsh and resonant as a maelstrom. Streams of sonic psychedelia are constantly intertwining, twisting, melting together, then exploding, forming patterns and dissolving into chaos again. Shapes, visions and scenes tumble into the mind, luring the soul out of the flesh, taking it on an unrelenting musical journey, and the imagination into a seething miasma of melancholy and insanity.
ESOTERIC formed in July 1992 in Birmingham, after the gathering of five individuals, inspired to create dark, innovative music that was evocative to and expressive of the contents of their psyche. The lyrics and music are reflections and transpositions of their thoughts, philosophies, emotions and experiences. The music captures the essence of the word 'esoteric'. The music the band play is extreme doom metal, that incorporates highly acute, somewhat distorted vocals and samples over slow paced riffs and atmospheric melodies.
Prognet had the oppertunity to do a interview with the vocalist and guitarist of the band Greg Chandler in february 2011.
PROGNET : Could you tell us a little about yourself, the members of the band and the history ???
GREG CHANDLER :Esoteric was formed in July 1992. The band has undergone several line-up changes over the 18 year history, and I am now the only remaining original member of the band. The current line up consists of myself, Jim Nolan, Joe Fletcher, Mark Bodossian and Jarkko Toivonen. We are about to record our sixth album this coming may and june and it will be released later this year through Season of Mist.
PROGNET : What music genres do you yourself listen to, and is there some kind of music that inspires you ???
GREG CHANDLER :I listen to many genres of music, all kinds of metal, doom, industrial, death, black, thrash. Anything that is unique or has its own flair and character within any genre. And I guess the same can be said of all music. I listen to some classical music, dark ambient, noise, progressive rock, avant-garde, post rock, anything really regardless of style or genre. So long as it has passion and a sentiment that I can relate to then it’s something that will interest me.
PROGNET : If you should mention 10-15 records that have meant something to you and your music, what would they be ???
GREG CHANDLER :For me personally, the following, though I must admit, it’s hard to narrow down the albums and music that I find inspirational.
Pink Floyd – A Saucerful of Secrets and Ummagumma
King Crimson – In the Court of the Crimson King
Tuxedomoon – The Ghost Sonata
Stravinsky – Rite of Spring/Firebird Suite
Guapo – Five Suns
Neurosis – Times of Grace
Autopsy – Mental Funeral
Morbid Angel – Blessed Are the Sick
Godspeed You Black Emperor – Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennaes to the Sky
Unholy – The Second Ring of Power
Portishead – Portishead
Jeff Buckley – Grace
Winter – Into Darkness
Shinjuku Thief – Medea
The 3rd & The Mortal – Painting on Glass
Emperor – In the Nightside Eclipse
Ved Buens Ende – Written In Waters
I could write many more, including many other styles of music
PROGNET : If a new listener were about to buy his first recording with your music, which one would you recommend as the best introduction ???
GREG CHANDLER :I think I would choose The Maniacal Vale as it is the album that contains most of the diverse elements of Esoteric within one album, partly due to its long running time.
PROGNET : What's your best advice for young aspiring musicians, who want to make it in the music world ???
GREG CHANDLER :That they should make the music they want to, can believe in and can be very passionate about. I think it is important to try to be unique and give a part of yourself and character to your music. For many reasons, so that you can put your all into its creation, rehearsal, recording and live performances. There is nothing worse than hearing or watching a band that looks bored of playing their own music.
PROGNET : My favourite tracks from Esoteric is the massive, epic “Circle” from The Maniacal vale and “The Blood of the eyes” from Subconscious dissolution into the continuum. Could you tell me a little about these tracks ???
GREG CHANDLER :They were written by Gordon Bicknell, who has sadly departed the band only a few weeks ago, and was also in the band since the beginning. The melodies within those songs are quite memorable and more uplifting than some of our other songs, so they tend to stand out to the listeners.
PROGNET : Do you often perform live or are Esoteric mainly a studio band ???
GREG CHANDLER :We perform live as much as we are able to. I guess we usually do between 20 and 30 gigs per year when the line-up is stable. We rehearse and play the songs live as they were recorded on the album, more or less. So that they are very close to the versions we record.
PROGNET : Could you tell us a little about the proces of writing a new Esoteric song. Is it a long process ???
GREG CHANDLER :It can be. It depends on each song and the complexity of the structure and composition. Some are more straightforward than others, though we tend to change key, tempo and time signature often, and have songs that develop and modulate in sections or movements, rather than a typical intro, verse, chorus, bridge, etc, structure. It does tend to take a while because we have 3 guitar parts, bass, keyboards, vocals and drums to write, and also the creation and programming of different effects and sounds for all of the instruments during different parts of each song. During a typical Esoteric song, I might change my guitar sound and effects between 5 and 10 times for example.
PROGNET : On the first two albums the tone is darker than on the later albums. Could you try to describe the lyrics on those two albums contra the newer ones ???
GREG CHANDLER :Personally I think the lyrics on the later albums are just as dark, but in a less obvious way. The meanings are more shrouded, rather than a starker, straightforward use of the language. I guess it’s hard for me to be subjective about it as I wrote most of them. But in general, different sets of lyrics are representative of the period of time in which they were written and my/our thoughts, emotions, inspiration and expression of that period of time.
PROGNET : Do you sometimes think of what it is that people like about the music by Esoteric ???
GREG CHANDLER :I guess that those that can relate to the emotions and atmospheres within the music are more likely to appreciate it, and those that can’t maybe won’t. However, when people listen to it the first time, I rarely expect them to like it. The music is not obvious and generally takes some time to grow on the listener. So only the people who are interested on first listen might give it the time to absorb the music on a deeper level. It is not background music but requires more attention from the listener, as there are often a lot of layers and instruments within the mix.
PROGNET : Could you tell us a little about the forthcoming 6. Esoteric release which is in the making ???
GREG CHANDLER :Yes, we will record during different periods of May and June at Priory Recording Studios and will release the album later this year through Season of Mist records. The album will contain 6 songs and have a running time of approximately 70-75 minutes. The artwork will again be created by Kati Astraeir.
PROGNET : Where do you see yourself in 5 years, still making music for the masses ???
GREG CHANDLER :I see myself still making music, yes. I would like to think that I will carry on making music for as long as I physically can. Though I don’t think that our music is too appealing to the masses [Symbol]
PROGNET : What are your plans for the future and what will be the next release from your many projects ???
GREG CHANDLER :Current plans include the album, and to tour and play gigs to follow its release. Also, our previous albums will each be released on vinyl in turn through Aesthetic Death Records
PROGNET : Finally I would like to thank you for taking the time to do this interview. Is there any final words you would like to say in closing ???
GREG CHANDLER :Thank you for this interview Henrik! Your support is much appreciated
www.esotericuk.net
www.myspace.com/esotericuk