Esox/Watery Grave/2025 Full Length Review

 

  Esox  are  a  solo  project  from  Italy  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  a  very  atmospheric  form  of  post  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2025  album  "Watery  Grave"  which  will  be  released  in  May.

  Water  sounds  and  field  recordings  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  clean  playing  a  few  seconds  later  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  can  be  heard  which  also  gives  the  songs  more  of  a  raw  feeling  and  the  vocals  are  mostly  grim  black  metal  screams.

  Atmospheric  sounding  synths  are  also  utilzied  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  recording  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  along  with  some  clear  vocals  also  being  used  at  times  and  the  music  also  adds  in  touches  of  shoegaze  and  post  rock.

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  along  with  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  also  adding  in  elements  of  doom  metal.  When  acoustic  guitars  are  utilzied  they  also  add  in  an  influence  of  neo-folk  as  well  as  one  track  being  an  instrumental and  some  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length,  spoken  words  can  also  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  album  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  a  concept  album  based  upon  a  man  commuting  suicide.  as  he  dies  he  reflects  on  life,  death,  nature  and  the  human  species.  

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Esox  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  atmospheric  post  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "As  I  Descend  Above  The  Water"  and  "The  River  Nihilist".  8  out  of  10.

  BANDCAMP: https://esoxblack.bandcamp.com/album/and-the-ocean-will-swallow-us-all

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/esox_black_metal/

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551205601670  .    

Esox Interview

 

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the solo project?

I came up with the concept of Esox during the pandemic of 2020, I have been a musician for more than a decade and always wanted to write my own music. I envisioned a “Proto Esox” project around 2018, but nothing ever came from it; it was just standard atmospheric black metal that talked about forests, something I never found personal and inspiring. On the other hand, marine biology has always been my other biggest passion alongside music, so when I started writing songs again in 2020 I knew that was the right path to take.

2.You have an ep coming out in October, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you went for on the recording?

The EP consists of only one song, that is almost half an hour long; at its core it’s atmospheric black metal with post rock influences. The concept behind it is very cinematic and is meant to be approached as it was a story, with a slow crescendo and a climax, without spoiling much I can say that there are both blast beats, doom metal riffs, sweep picks and dreamy clean guitar tones.

3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects you have explored so far with the music?

Esox’s themes can be summarized in “depression, nihilism and underwater inhabitants”. I talk about cinematic naturalistic scenery, personal events that impacted me and I also write poetry about fish and other marine animals.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Esox'?

It’s the name of the genus in which the Northern Pike belongs (Esox lucius), I was always fascinated with freshwater fish and I admit that, sharks aside, they are way more interesting than saltwater fish. The pike is basically what a grizzly bear is for a forest, an apex predator and the embodiment of the cold river aesthetic, which is what I aim to picture with my music.

5.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the ep cover?

The artwork depicts a statue made in honor of Pablo Pino, a man who died rescuing two girls from drowning; the statue can be found in my hometown in Sicily, of course I always had a deep connection with it. I think the first time I remember realizing how truly powerless we are compared to the sea was when being told about the story of the statue as a kid. 

6.With this project you record everything by yourself, are you open to working with other musicians or do you prefer to work solo?

Esox is a deep personal project and I like having full control over the writing process, but for the future projects I will have a friend of mine do all the vocals, I truly hate singing! 

On the other hand, I wouldn’t mind doing some live shows eventually, so working with session musicians isn’t out of the picture, but when it comes to writing Esox is exclusively a one-man band.

7.Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?

At the moment I am fine staying independent and since I still have to release anything I haven’t received any offers for a contract; but it’s something I will ponder when the right time comes.

8.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of atmospheric black metal?

So far outside of my close friends group only webzines and few other musicians I have met at festivals have listened to Esox, they liked it but of course I would question their neutrality!

 

9.Do you have any experience playing in any other bands or musical projects?

I have and I didn’t like it. I’m fine by myself, but I would like to start a few side projects to experiment with other genres, like synthwave.

 

10.When can we expect a full length and also where do you see yourself heading into as a musician during the future?

I have a full length that is almost ready and is just missing the vocals before going into the production stage. Actually “…and the Ocean” was supposed to be the second release, but I figured that debuting with an LP is hazardous and it would have taken at least another year to release anything. After the album is released I will take in consideration the idea of playing live, but only time will tell. 

11.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

Agalloch of course is my main inspiration, as they are my favorite band of all time. Other bands that inspire me are Deafheaven, An Autumn for Crippled Children, Ahab, Oh Hiroshima, Wayfaerer, G!YBE, The Ocean Collective. In general Atmospheric Black Metal and Post Rock are my main genres, but I also like to mix it with Doom, shoegaze, neo folk and electronic. Nowadays I actually listen to very few metal, as I grew really tired of it and I started digging into more post rock and finding new genres such as new wave, hardcore hip pop and Italian songwriting, I truly suggest you listen to Franco Battiato, definitely my biggest non-metal inspiration. 

12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

Thank you so much to the Occult Black Metal Zine staff for having me and I hope you enjoy the EP!

BANDCAMP: https://esoxblack.bandcamp.com/album/and-the-ocean-will-swallow-us-all

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/esox_black_metal/

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551205601670

Esox/...and the Ocean Will Swallow Us All/2023 EP Review

 

  Esox  are  a  solo  project  from  Italy  that  plays  a  very  atmospheric  form  of  post  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  self  released  2023  ep  "...and  the  Ocean  Will  Swallow  us  All"  which  will b e  released  in  October.

  Nature  orientated  soundscapes  start  off  the  ep  along  with  some  acoustic  guitars  a  few  seconds  later.  The  only  track  present  on  this  recording  is  also  over  27  minutes  in  length  while  spoken  word  parts  can  also  be  heard  briefly  as  well  the  songs  also  mix  in  a  lot  of  elements  of  post  rock  and  the  vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams.

  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  atmospheric  style.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  small  amount  of  blast beats  can be  heard  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them,  the  music  also  has  its  atmospheric  moments.

  Clear  vocals  and  spoken  word  parts  can  also  be  heard  briefly  along  with  some  synths  also  being  utilized  at  times  as  well  as  the  recording  sticking  to  mostly  a  slow  or  mid  tempo  direction.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  a  claustrophobic  event  caused  by  the  greed  of  mankind.    

  In  my  opinion  Esox  are  a  very  great  sounding  atmospheric  post  black  metal  solo  project  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  8  out  of  10.

  BANDCAMP: https://esoxblack.bandcamp.com/album/and-the-ocean-will-swallow-us-all

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/esox_black_metal/

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551205601670