The Maniacal Vale

The Esoteric

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 8, 2008)
• Original Release Date: June 24, 2008
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Season of Mist
• ASIN: B0018LME8G
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #41,139 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nothing's flawless but,..................., July 24, 2008

By	D. West "Viking of Chaos" (Pittsburgh, PA.) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is pretty close. I'll just lay out some accurate adjectives for this album. And the listener can take it from here; massive, hallucinogenic, an almost tranquil underlying melodic beauty, horrifying,dehabilitating,and sincere. No cutting corners on this one. Easily, this is Esoteric's best work to date. By the way, contains excellent "organic" production values. Was reminded of a "Floydian" structure throughout, especially on the first disc. The usual term applied for this is "funeral doom." Never liked that. The Maniacal Vale is Extreme/Physcadelic/Doom. "Highly" reccommended. Don't miss this one.

5.0 out of 5 stars SO GOOD, I F'ING CRIED..., August 14, 2009

By	Bringer of Blood "I'm Ron Burgandy?" (Charlotte,nc) - See all my reviews

"Circle" might just be the most perfect funeral doom song I've heard yet. 20 minutes of the saddest beauty. If for no other reason, buy it just for that song--and you'll still get more than you paid for. The Entire album is awesome. The collage work with the guitars is amazing. The soundscapes created are truly made to be the soundtrack to a war between God and Satan on the ethereal plains. Greg Chandler's vocal range is certainly impressive as well -from the lowest growls, to all out high pitched screaming. I've been listening to it for a week straight and can tell its going to be one of those albums that you'll never get tired of.

5.0 out of 5 stars Extremely Impressive, August 8, 2009

By	C. J. Marshall "Beat Addict" (Oxnard, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This album is amazing. I had never heard of this group and picked it up on a whim after reading some forums online. I don't usually deal in straight-forward "Doom" groups...but I was hooked after the solo kicked in on "Circle".

I've never heard something so dark be beautiful and lush sounding at the same time. The closest I could think of would be Opeth (but that's apples and oranges). I definitely have to credit the production. The style is very simple at a glance, but there is A LOT going on if you have the patience to pay attention. It took me a good 2-3 listens to really get a feel for it.

This is one of the few records in recent memory that I've actually gotten lost in...it blankets you in the atmosphere and sound. People throw the word "epic" around A LOT these days. This album deserves to be described as such.

Highly recommended.