Bloodstock and Storm Reviews
Category: Music

Review of the esOterica set on the Lava Stage at Bloodstock Open Air on Sunday 17th August 2008:

"...Esoterica got caught in what for me was the largest pile up of bands all weekend, with themselves, Kataklysm and Ted Maul all overlapping. I'd already made the decision to catch the Canadians, since they tour here less often, but Esoterica frontman Tobias Keast searching out our flag to personally ask we check them out, swung my decision to catch as much as I had time for. Keast marketing continued in the Lava Stage, imploring the crowd to pop out and drag one extra person in each before they started.

I was cursing the clashes straight away as Samples opened the set in fine style. The bare foot Keast seemed absorbed in the song in a world of his own. Flailing his arms around the singer then received a telling off from the roadcrew for hanging off the lighting supports. Life Is Lonely contains a massive hooky chorus and the band combined to produce a heavy haunting sound. Keast's vocal means comparisons to Tool and A Perfect Circle are inevitable and they possibly fall somewhere between the two. I will certainly make an effort to catch a full show by Esoterica.

Esoterica set list:
Samples / Life is Lonely / Salvation / Valium / Pushing Providence / Exposed / The Fool / Watch this Drive / Don't Rely on Anyone"

- RockersDigest.com

go here for the full Bloodstock review: http://www.rockersdigest.com/reviews/250/BOA-2008-Sunday

Exerpt from a review of the Storm show on the 4th September 2008:

"...The main reason for our presence tonight was to catch up with esOterica. As noted in my Bloodstock review, set overlaps meant I only caught three songs and had promised I'd make the effort to see them again. Less than three weeks later the opportunity arose and I was not disappointed.

Even before they launched into opener Samples, esOterica looked like they meant business. Frontman Toby Keast was pacing up and down and performing stretches like he was about to go into a boxing ring. By second song Life Is Lonely, Keast had warmed into his vocal and was skipping around the stage. Guitarists Matthew Diver and Bari Parrott kept to their respective sides leaving Keast and bassist Conor to claim the rest of the stage as their playground. It was only after the show that I discovered Conor is currently standing in for esOterica and he needs to be brought into the fold immediately. Aside from a great bass player his performance really adds to the live show and his antics rival Keast's on occasion.

It's the music that really seals the deal, with the majestic Salvation followed by Valium with its achingly beautiful first half giving way to a massive conclusion. Yes, Tool and A Perfect Circle can be raised as points of comparison with esOterica falling somewhere between the two. There's no sprawled out progressive epics though, these are economical to the point songs packed with hooks. None more so than closer Don't Rely On Anyone, for which Keast managed to get life out of the small reserved crowd.

esOterica set list:
Samples / Life Is Lonely / Salvation / Valium / Exposed / The Fool / Watch This Drive / Don't Rely On Anyone

esOterica took the evening to another level..."

- RockersDigest.com

go here for the full review: http://www.rockersdigest.com/reviews/252/esOterica

10:53 AM - 2 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Exclusive TOTAL ROCK interview with esOterica TONIGHT!!
Current mood: excited

Tune in to Total Rock between 8 - 10pm tonight to catch an exclusive esOterica interview with TOTAL ROCK where we'll be revealing exclusive details about our upcoming single NEW ALBUM and the upcoming London show this Thursday.

TUNE IN TONIGHT (MONDAY SEPTEMBER 1st 2008)
8pm-10pm

www.totalrock.com

9:07 AM - 5 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

esOterica confirmed for Bloodstock festival!
Current mood: excited
Category: Music

esOterica will be playing the UKs largest independent metal festival alongside the likes of Nightwish, Soulfly, Napalm Death, Soilwork and loads more..!

1:50 PM - 2 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

esOterica’s Superb Debut In Stores Today

esOterica’s critically acclaimed debut, "The Fool", is in stores today!  An e-card for the album has made it’s way online. The E-Card features two standout tracks from "The Fool", including the blistering, new single, "Don’t Rely On Anyone" and can be found online at THIS LOCATION.

"The Fool" was produced by world renowned producer, John Fryer (NIN, White Zombie, Depeche Mode) and has been hailed as "superb" by UK super-mag, Rock Sound.

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"The Fool" In US Stores In One Week!

An e-card for esOterica’s US debut, "The Fool", has made it’s way online.  The E-Card features two standout tracks from "The Fool", including the blistering, new single, "Don’t Rely On Anyone" and can be found online at THIS LOCATION.

Set to hit stores on April 8th, "The Fool" was produced by world renowned producer, John Fryer (NIN, White Zombie, Depeche Mode) and has been hailed as "superb" by UK super-mag, Rock Sound.

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esOterica E-Card Online! New Show With Minus Announced!

esOterica has lined up a March 20th show with Icelandic rock giants, Minus in London.  Esoterica is set to take the stage at 7:30pm.

An e-card for esOterica’s new album, "The Fool", can be found online at THIS LOCATION.  The e-card features esOterica’s blistering, new single, "Don’t Rely On Anyone".  "The Fool" will hit stores across the US on April 8th.

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Legendary Iron Maiden front man plays esOterica on the BBC!!
Current mood: ecstatic

The legend that is Bruce Dickinson played esOterica on his BBC6 Music Rock Show - Listen back to the show here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/shows/bruce_dickinson/tracklisting_20080307.shtml

3:47 AM - 1 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Esoterica Hits Radio With A Bang!

Esoterica's scorching, new single "Don't Rely On Anyone" has been racking up spins at rock-radio stations across the country.  Don't miss out on your chance to be the first to tell your friend's about this breakthrough song.  For a list of stations currently spinning "Don't Rely On Anyone" as well as information to request the hell out of it, click HERE!

11:17 AM - 2 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

esOterica played on BBC Radio 1 Rock Show yesterday!!
Current mood: happy

esOterica's new single "Don't Rely On Anyone" was played on the BBC Radio 1 Rock show last night - you can listen to the show here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/radio1_aod.shtml?radio1/rockshow - the song was played about 41mins into the show

:-D

4:03 AM - 5 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

esOterica Needs Your Help!

We need the help of all the esOterica fans worldwide to help promote the US release of "The Fool" and the radio impact of the first single, "Don't Rely On Anyone". Please sign up for the street team below.

6:32 AM - 1 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment