reviews

REGEN magazine. USA . USA 2007

A lovely collection of classical and ambient pieces from one of darkwave's most talented artists.

Ranging from moody industrial soundscapes to modern classical arrangements, this collection of instrumental work showcases Attrition founder Martin Bowes as the master composer he is.
Fans of the classically-inspired material explored on albums like Étude have reason to rejoice, as Esoteria features several previous Attrition tracks arranged for strings. "Cold Genius" is simply gorgeous, and a new interpretation of darkwave club track "At the Fiftieth Gate," though barely recognizable, is no less majestic than the original.
There's much more going on here than chamber music though. "Nine Tails, to Follow You Round" creates a lingering dread with slow, dissonant pianos and echoing footsteps, while the hints of rowdy children's voices emerging from layered drones and synths give "Marianne's Dream" the dreamlike quality embodied in its title.
On several tracks, Bowes appropriates familiar melodies for his own nefarious ends; "Silent Night" processes wisps of a familiar Christmas carol and lets them drift over rumbling drones and mechanical clunks, while a muffled synth rendition of Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" on the dark ambience of "Dream Nine (Recurring)" places the piece in a decidedly less joyful context.
Finishing things off is the epic-length "The Big Lie." In many ways, this is the most conventional Attrition track on the CD, and it would provide a perfect backdrop for Bowes' signature raspy whisper, but by leaving it as an instrumental he draws attention to sonic details that might otherwise go unnoticed: the subtle, tribal-inspired rhythms, the deep foghorn bleats of the pipe organ, and the juxtaposition of both organic and synthesized choir effects.
When an artist puts out a collection like this one, it's usually just the devoted fans that have any need or want for it, but Esoteria has a lot more going for it than a couple of previously unreleased tracks.
Anyone with an interest in neo-classical and dark ambient music, Attrition fan or not, will find plenty to savor here.

Liar Society online. USA 2007

Esoteria , a collection of Attrition's forays into neo-classical and dark ambient soundscapes, finds the group working in a much more introspective vein.  Largely sans vocals, the tracks on Esoteria are built around real strings and chillingly cold synthwork.  If Jean-Paul Sartre made horror films, these arrangements would have been the perfect soundtrack.  Of especial note is their take on "Silent Night"--imagine Christmas in a haunted Victorian dollhouse and you're on the right tact.  Versatile and unique, Attrition make music for the ages, even if they've gone strangely unrecognized for such a varied back catalog. 
As Nietzsche remarked, some are born posthumously.


Musictap.net. USA 2007

Attrition's brand of musical merge – a blend of rock and classical and ambient components, has attracted a decidedly gothic fan-base as well as producing an alternative style of music for ‘off the beaten path' listeners.  It can be strange for the casual listener.  But what makes Attrition work so well is their flair for the unusual.  A listen to any one of their many recordings will provide you with music that you have unlikely heard before.  It's an element of rock music as well as a hallmark that I love, experimentation at its greatest.  Imagine Jimmy Page never having used a bow to play his guitar in Song Remains the Same.  On that same note, Martin Bowes of Attrition has gone the extra mile.

This collection of pieces from albums produced over the span of several decades, from 1982 through 2004, are particularly noteworthy works, deserved of recognition.  This compilation imports 12 songs including their “Silent Night,” a Christmas carol produced for inclusion on Projekt's first (there are now three volumes) In Excelsis collection of bold holiday reinterpretations.  “Dream nine (recurring)” is another found on a Silber Records collection (Winter Wishes).  There are a few alternate tracks of original songs but otherwise, Esoteria assembles a decent package of interest that includes original selections representing various periods.

You can expect to hear operatic voices, violins, piano, voices, and sound effects, sometimes eerie.  These make up the core of Attrition's sound.  “Silent Night” is a chilling interpretative song that could easily be found accompanying a scene in a horror film with Christmas as its theme.  But as frightening as it is, it is as charmingly enticing.  “Cold Genius” from their Etude album is an alternate take, an industrially rhythmic walk through a ghost infested basement of a factory at midnight.  You can feel the cold desolation blowing in from “Dream nine (recurring)” as it impresses a chilling winter wind on the listener along with a child's voice.

Attrition is bold experimental alternative at its best with Esoteria a viral carrier of entrancing ambient that takes us into the mind of the band.  Of course, Attrition is not for everyone with its storms, percussive raindrops, and eerie children's voices.  But for those that enjoy the unconventional path, Esoteria could make you a fervent fan.