With the release of _Spectral_ in 2004, I decided to ease up on my critical stance a little, hoping that Skyfire's sound would have matured a little. That there was really no change in style on _Spectral_ didn't surprise me; however, what did surprise me was the fact that their compositions were inflected with just a little more sophistication -- the songs seemed better crafted (they came across more as true songs, and not just a series of instrumentals with vocals grafted over top) and more melodic, but not overly so. And so, the reader must be asking: "what, pray tell, do you think of the band's newest offering, _Esoteric_? Well, in all honesty, the progression from _Spectral_ has been piecemeal. Unfortunately, I can't comment on lyrical content or any variation thereof in comparison to their earlier work inasmuch as the promo I was sent came without a lyric sheet (though I'm sure they're no less intelligent and philosophically oriented than on previous albums).

Some noticeable differences on _Esoteric_ are as follows: the band have increased their speed a little bit, with the addition of a few more blast-beats than its predecessor (however, they know how to slow down, too). There are some choir arrangements here and there, but they're not too prominent. They've also incorporated -- much to my annoyance, unfortunately -- more piano accompaniments along with the guitars. This is featured in quite a few songs (and it's really upfront, too), and, to me, doesn't really help their case. As a brief aside, back in the late '90s I had a really bad experience with Angizia's _Das Tagebuch der Hanna Anikin_, and I must say that since then I haven't really been convinced that the piano fits metal (of whatever form, save Arcturus's brand of sympho-metal) very well -- maybe on its own, or as an intro or interlude, but not as a constant or semi-constant accompaniment with guitars. As with the previous album _Spectral_, the production on _Esoteric_ is absolutely flawless, allowing each instrument to breathe freely without any washout, competition or compromise in sound quality.

Other than the aforesaid additions of more blast-beats and piano, there are really no patent changes in Skyfire's overall style, save the addition (and a great one at that!) of the highly dextrous six-string shredder, Johan Reinholdz of Adromeda and Non-exist fame. Reinholdz's solos, as beautiful and intricate as they are, add depth, and make Skyfire's music that much more capable, sophisticated, and less predictable -- a very welcomed change indeed. Another change is the replacement of former vocalist Henrick Wenngren with Joakim Karlssson (also of Mark:Black, formerly Elohim). Though there isn't that much difference in terms of approach between the old and new singers, I must say that Karlsson's dry, croupous rasp is strongly reminiscent of Shagrath's of the infamous Dimmu Borgir.

Come to think of it, over the course of its 55+ minute duration, there were parts of _Esoteric_ that sounded somewhat redolent of Dimmu's _Enthrone Darkness Triumphant_ , though less heavy, a bit punchier, and a lot more melodic. Is this a bad thing? Well, you decide. I actually liked _Enthrone Darkness Triumphant_, so it's not too much of a problem. In closing, if you like your metal highly melodic and catchy, progressive, and fast, with excellent guitar solos and bombastic synths -- especially piano -- then you should definitely give _Esoteric_ a try.