The Moth Gatherer – Esoteric Oppression

Label: Agonia Records
Releasedate: 22-02-2019

Esoteric oppression is the 3rd full-length album from Moth Gatherer, hailing from Stockholm. They joined forces in 2008 and after that, the releases kept coming with “A Bright Celestial Light” and “The Earth Is The Sky” released 2013, released in 2015, plus one EP, “Comfortably low”, in 2017. They play a combination between sludge, doom, and post-metal, investing a proper effort in the atmosphere. In comparison with their past albums, “Esoteric Oppression” took a heavier and darker turn. And I like it.

It was needing in a dark Monday evening. Exactly this. The first chords of “The Drone Kingdom” set the balance of what is to come, with an enjoyable and slightly hypnotic melody. The electronic bytes of it provoke me mixed feelings but it’s a good first swing. I cannot say that the vocals in this song particularly strike me, with the female vocals, in particular, portraying the already heard many times Arabic influence as a sorceress or whatever they thought it would be. This, I have to say, it’s very cool. When a song lasts for 9:06 minutes, you will like it, dislike it, and not be bored with it.

“Motionless in Oceania”, the second track of the album and its first single, delivers the promises of the first song. It prompts the sludgish riffs and good bass line execution to pack a swing that transports the listener to a proper experience.

“Utopia” combines the essence of doom and sludge almost flawlessly but, again, I have the feeling that the vocals lack engagement. It’s not that they are bad, but it’s not exactly what I think it fits in terms of depth and power to this particular repetitive sound. A less husky and more deep voice would fit better. Compared to the past albums, these songs aim more at growling other than a polished sound.

“The Failure Design” is the most post-rock track of the album, but for me, the song that will ring in my head for the next days will be “Phosphorescent Blight”. Stats with a kick in the teeth with a mechanical rhythm resembling industrial sounds, transmorphing into doom/sludge hybrid. Due to the synthesizers and electronics, I thought for a moment that I was listening to something totally new. It’s great 11 minutes of music to blast you and rock your cradle while the album fades away to silence.

I sincerely had a great time listening to this album and recommend a good listening. Needless to say that I want to see these moths gathering at a concert at some time soon.

Line up:

• Victor Wegeborn – Vocals, Guitar, Programming
• Svante Karlsson – Drums
• Ronny Westphal – Guitar
• Dan Hemgren – Bass

01 The Drone Kingdom
02 Motionless In Oceania
03 Utopia
04 The Failure Design
05 Phosphorescent Blight

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