Album Notes

Esoteric is SKYFIRE’s first full-length album in over five years. With this offering we find a revitalized band, which encompasses two new band members as well as multiple orchestra and choir samples, adding subtlety to the bombastic overtones. Esoteric still maintains the melodic sensibility that SKYFIRE has been known for but with a re-vamped and something-to-prove attitude to boot. New members Joakim Karlsson (vocals; MARK:BLACK) and Johan Reinholdz (guitars; ANDROMEDA, NONEXIST) help the band deliver its strongest performance to date. Karlsson's mid-range growl helps ground the epic onslaught while Marty Friedman-inspired guitar solos from Reinholdz showcase yet again that SKYFIRE is not afraid to journey into uncharted territory.

Longtime fans expecting SKYFIRE's unparalleled use of melody will love hits such as "Under a Pitch Black Sky" and "Rise and Decay," while those who enjoyed SKYFIRE's folk and neoclassical dabbling will immediately take to cuts such as "Seclusion" and "The Legacy of the Defeated." Conversely, Esoteric features one of SKYFIRE's most brutal and chaotic songs to date in "Darkness Descending." A treat for the fans, Esoteric also includes “Within Reach,” a bonus song taken from the first ever SKYFIRE demo recording which has never surfaced until now.

Esoteric's epic visual artwork is designed by acclaimed artist Pär Olofsson (EXODUS, THE FACELESS) and layout design by CULT OF LUNA's Erik Olofsson. All music was recorded at the band’s own Powernest Studios while mixing and mastering was handled by Jonas Kjellgren (SCAR SYMMETRY, SONIC SYNDICATE, ZONARIA, THE ABSENCE). Vocals for all tracks were produced by THE FORSAKEN guitarist Patrik Persson.

Esoteric is the face of a rejuvenated SKYFIRE—dead set on picking up from where they left off with 2004’s Spectral so get ready: SKYFIRE is reborn!