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Esoteric - The Maniacal Vale



8.6 | 264 votes |
Release date: 16 June 2008
Style: Funeral doom metal, Psychedelic doom metal

Owners:

297 have it
33 want it
2 trade it


Disc I
01. Circle
02. Beneath This Face
03. Quickening
04. Caucus Of Mind

Disc II
01. Silence
02. The Order Of Destiny
03. Ignotum Per Ignotius

The Best Extreme Doom Metal Album Of 2008
Top 20 albums of 2008: 11

Additional info
Written and produced by Esoteric.
Engineered, mixed and mastered by Greg Chandler/Esoteric at Priority Recording Studios.
Vinyl master cut by Kevin Metcalfe at Soundmasters.
Artwork by Kati Astraeir.
Layout by Mauro Berchi.

Staff review by
jupitreas
Rating:
N/A
Who needs a soul anyway?

For the last 16 years or so and with every consecutive release, Esoteric get just a little bit closer to finally condemning us all to hell, and I personally respect any band with a disposition this sunny. The Maniacal Vale is not only another step in this tortured evolution - it is the band's ultimate masterpiece and an experience so overwhelming that it will completely blow the mind and shatter the senses. Yes, for all intents and purposes, this is a perfect album and one that will be remembered for a long time as a phenomenal achievement in every way.

Read more ››
published 11.07.2008 | Comments (40)

01.05.2010
The Maniacal Vale is, in my humble opinion, the single most devastating release ever.

It lures the listener in with "Circle", which has possibly the most emotive opening ever written. Within moments, the mood has shifted completely and you find yourself spiraling downwards a column of fire. There is no escape, there is no return. A hundred minutes later your soul has completely perished and your now lifeless body will crave salvation. Alas, those that have visited the abyss are condemned to dwell in hellfire forever.

It is hellfire.

Lucas's picks | More picks ››

Found in 40 lists
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Comments page 3 / 4

Comments: 95   Visited by: 779 users
24.03.2014 - 07:16
Zap
Guest
I literally get trouble breathing sometimes while listening to this album.
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24.03.2014 - 21:26
Rating: 10
InnerSelf
proofread free
Written by Zap on 24.03.2014 at 07:16

I literally get trouble breathing sometimes while listening to this album.

Midway through Circle, Caucus of Mind's build up, Beneath This Face's climax outro and Ignotum Per Ignotius's solo. I can feel you bro
----
He who is not bold enough
to be stared at from across the abyss
is not bold enough
to stare into it himself.
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24.03.2014 - 21:30
Rating: 10
X-Ray Rod
Skandino
I always get a float-like feeling when I get to the amazing and spacey solo on "The Order Of Destiny" (2:53... Although build-up is a must).
It just sounds so bizarre together with the tribal drums and the way they just don't riff but simply hit the guitars. Simply brilliant.
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Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29
Like you could kiss my ass
Written by Milena on 20.06.2012 at 10:49
Rod, let me love you.
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24.03.2014 - 21:51
Rating: 10
InnerSelf
proofread free
Written by X-Ray Rod on 24.03.2014 at 21:30

I always get a float-like feeling when I get to the amazing and spacey solo on "The Order Of Destiny" (2:53... Although build-up is a must).
It just sounds so bizarre together with the tribal drums and the way they just don't riff but simply hit the guitars. Simply brilliant.

I get a circus-like feeling from that part!
----
He who is not bold enough
to be stared at from across the abyss
is not bold enough
to stare into it himself.
Loading...
24.03.2014 - 21:57
Rating: 10
X-Ray Rod
Skandino
Written by InnerSelf on 24.03.2014 at 21:51

Written by X-Ray Rod on 24.03.2014 at 21:30

I always get a float-like feeling when I get to the amazing and spacey solo on "The Order Of Destiny" (2:53... Although build-up is a must).
It just sounds so bizarre together with the tribal drums and the way they just don't riff but simply hit the guitars. Simply brilliant.

I get a circus-like feeling from that part!


Really? Because I get the circus feeling at 6:17.... D:
----
Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29
Like you could kiss my ass
Written by Milena on 20.06.2012 at 10:49
Rod, let me love you.
Loading...
24.03.2014 - 21:59
Zap
Guest
Written by InnerSelf on 24.03.2014 at 21:26

Written by Zap on 24.03.2014 at 07:16

I literally get trouble breathing sometimes while listening to this album.

Midway through Circle, Caucus of Mind's build up, Beneath This Face's climax outro and Ignotum Per Ignotius's solo. I can feel you bro

Those are definitely some of the points where it happens.
Also, the intro to Circle is so beautiful it makes me sad. Few bands can pull that off.
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24.03.2014 - 22:04
Rating: 10
InnerSelf
proofread free
Written by X-Ray Rod on 24.03.2014 at 21:57

Really? Because I get the circus feeling at 6:17.... D:


When this sort of thing happens it means that it's been too long since I last listened to the album

Written by Zap on 24.03.2014 at 21:59

Those are definitely some of the points where it happens.
Also, the intro to Circle is so beautiful it makes me sad. Few bands can pull that off.

One if the greatest intros ever!
----
He who is not bold enough
to be stared at from across the abyss
is not bold enough
to stare into it himself.
Loading...
24.03.2014 - 22:05
Rating: 10
X-Ray Rod
Skandino
Written by InnerSelf on 24.03.2014 at 22:04

Written by X-Ray Rod on 24.03.2014 at 21:57

Really? Because I get the circus feeling at 6:17.... D:


When this sort of thing happens it means that it's been too long since I last listened to the album


Yeah, I'm pretty sure you got the parts switched. But yeah, this album is ok!
----
Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29
Like you could kiss my ass
Written by Milena on 20.06.2012 at 10:49
Rod, let me love you.
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06.06.2014 - 10:26
Maco
Pvt Funderground
Fucking wow! This is HUGE.
----
Crackhead Megadeth reigns supreme.
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19.06.2014 - 06:36
Death_95

Without a doubt the best album ever made, I don't have a fucking doubt in my mind about this.
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01.09.2014 - 02:47
Zap
Guest
Music should not be able to make me feel so shit.
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01.09.2014 - 03:01
Zap
Guest
Written by InnerSelf on 24.03.2014 at 22:04

One if the greatest intros ever!

And so simple too...
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15.02.2015 - 03:02
Rating: 8
God Alone

So freaking huge and absorbing. I love it.
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18.03.2015 - 13:57
Timmeh
Dudeman
Finally cracked Funeral Doom, so much feel.
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06.09.2017 - 00:14
VIG
Account deleted
I think this could slowly be becoming my favorite album... of all time.
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06.09.2017 - 00:58
Rating: 10
InnerSelf
proofread free
Written by Guest on 06.09.2017 at 00:14

I think this could slowly be becoming my favorite album... of all time.

The club welcomes you
----
He who is not bold enough
to be stared at from across the abyss
is not bold enough
to stare into it himself.
Loading...
10.01.2018 - 06:27
Maco
Pvt Funderground
Written by Guest on 06.09.2017 at 00:14

I think this could slowly be becoming my favorite album... of all time.

Your 8 is an #insult.
----
Crackhead Megadeth reigns supreme.
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10.01.2018 - 14:29
VIG
Account deleted
Written by Maco on 10.01.2018 at 06:27

Written by Guest on 06.09.2017 at 00:14

I think this could slowly be becoming my favorite album... of all time.

Your 8 is an #insult.

I #changedmymind bitch
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22.02.2018 - 19:31
Rating: 10
Metren
Dreadrealm
Well, this was an experience of pure awesomeness. Never thought I'd say this about any album other than Lurker Of Chalice, but I feel like complementing this album in-depth is a bit pointless, like complementing the universe. Yes, the universe is "amazing", but it is also amazingly indifferent to how amazing you think it is. So I'll just say this album defeated me. I didn't even feel its length tbh, at some point I was just thinking: if this goes on forever, let it, I'm fine with that.

I do think one thing should be mentioned that I didn't notice mentioned in this thread, which is that the production is just perfect. This album couldn't sound any better if it tried.

Thanks VIG for the recommendation, I owe you one.
----
My one-man project's Bandcamp with free downloads: https://dreadrealm.bandcamp.com/
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23.03.2018 - 11:50
Desha
delicious dish
Ok yeah I'll give in. This is fucking mindblowingly good.
----
You are the hammer, I am the nail
building a house in the fire on the hill
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03.07.2018 - 19:40
Maco
Pvt Funderground
This album was released 10 years ago.
----
Crackhead Megadeth reigns supreme.
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03.07.2018 - 21:07
Darkside Momo
Retired
Written by Maco on 03.07.2018 at 19:40

This album was released 10 years ago.

and it hasn't aged a bit
----
My Author's Blog (in French)


"You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you"

"I've lost too many years now
I'm stealing back my soul
I am awake"
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04.07.2018 - 02:04
Rating: 10
X-Ray Rod
Skandino
How the fuck did I miss the date.
One of my favorite albums EVER.
----
Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29
Like you could kiss my ass
Written by Milena on 20.06.2012 at 10:49
Rod, let me love you.
Loading...
04.07.2018 - 02:07
Rating: 9
BitterCOld
The Ancient One
Still a monstrous entity only consumed occasionally.
----
get the fuck off my lawn.

Beer Bug Virus Spotify Playlist crafted by Nikarg and I. Feel free to tune in and add some pertinent metal tunes!
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05.07.2018 - 22:06
Rating: 10
InnerSelf
proofread free
And they don't do any 10th-anniversary show, nothing.
----
He who is not bold enough
to be stared at from across the abyss
is not bold enough
to stare into it himself.
Loading...
05.11.2019 - 14:25
Rating: 9
nonZero

A twisted, dark journey through the realms of insanity.

Worth putting the 1hr 41min aside to consume in 1 sitting!
----
Top 500 Albums (ordered & rated)
Top 200 Overlooked Albums (with genres)
So I Heard You Like Wintersun... (Time II find new bands)
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30.05.2020 - 23:07
Rating: 10
mz

Still THE ultimate doom metal record, ever.
----
Giving my ears a rest from music.
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30.05.2020 - 23:20
Rating: 7
Redel

Written by Zap on 24.03.2014 at 07:16

I literally get trouble breathing sometimes while listening to this album.


Covid!
Proof, it has already been out there back then!
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31.05.2020 - 07:48
Rating: 9
Troy Killjoy
perfunctionist
Written by mz on 30.05.2020 at 23:07

Still THE ultimate doom metal record, ever.

Agreed. I personally consider this to be a masterpiece of music, regardless of genre.
----
"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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31.05.2020 - 18:07
Rating: 10
mz

Written by Troy Killjoy on 31.05.2020 at 07:48


Agreed. I personally consider this to be a masterpiece of music, regardless of genre.

Indeed. For me this is one of the albums that comes closest to perfection. Not something that i could consume everyday of course, but it gets me everytime I let myself fall into its grasp.
----
Giving my ears a rest from music.
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