Exoterik | Dark Melodic Metal, Gothic Influence | Holier Than Thou Records, label, music distribution, Artist Management

"Reason In Ruins" Review
Exoterik are a band that I believe plays (according to their words) melodic metal. Oh! Those good, old days when metal was melodic by definition passed away, faded to black, vanished, if you follow me. Ekhem, but to be serious. Exoterik's music is indeed melodic, roaring guitars follow the vocal line, which in itself is certainly the strongest side of Exoterik's sound. I would say that metal (but of course the melodic type) always had that advantage that it seemed to attract very talented female vocalists (apart from the Nightwish's second vocalist). Exoterik is not any exception here. Three songs, which the single contains, were taken out of the Butterfly In Your Hand album. They might serve as a representative taster for the whole album. One will have a chance to hear a gentle ballade - Uninvited where harmonious sound of skilfully played acoustic guitars, great vocals, and less impressive yet still good drums builds up to reach a powerful finale. Reason in Ruins is a more conventional metal song, but it's relatively varied structure easily keeps the listener focused. And here again there seems to be something wrong with the drums, they are dry, almost synthetic and annoyingly monotonous (particularly in the first two minutes). The middle tune - No Happy Ending would be my choice here - short, concise, dynamic and upbeat has the most coherent structure of the three songs and instrumental aspect is flawless. What can I say? Exoterik has definitely something to offer, those people definitely know their craft.
SUBCITY RADIO Glasgow

Having worked with John Fryer, who has previously produced material for HIM, Exoterik can’t fail with their latest release, an eleven-track sledgehammer of towering riffs and tantalizingly tortured vocal performances. Recorded in Latvia and Finland, an enlightened darkness saturates all the tracks, with opening tune ‘The Catalyst’ hearing frontwoman Anneka Latta howl, ‘We’re nothing but walking parasites.’

‘Salvation’ goes on to proffer redemption courtesy of David Parry’s exquisitely executed bass-line, before the suitably dramatic ‘Watch You Bleed’ makes the most of Tom Fay’s prowess on guitar as he whips up a storm, the strength of his rock ‘n’ roll convictions following through into ‘Forever Watching’ which deftly deals with the subversive nature of our CCTV-obsessed culture: ‘Innocence betrayed by surveillance.’

Still, should you desire a swab of unbridled heartbreak on the other hand, try ‘Raping The Reverie’ on for size. Anneka’s devastating vocals are bound to attack the aorta with malicious glee, providing yet another reason why Exoterik - who have been around since 2003 - deserve to breakthrough into the mainstream where they would undoubtedly be a dark and
deadly force to be reckoned with. Steve Rudd for Screaming Tarts ezine/mag

“Don’t Swallow” Not to be confused with Esoteric, the doom metallers, this Anglo-Irish four piece serve up metal of the nu-goth variety. Imagine 80’s chart botherers All About Eve with a a nu-metal guitarist wandering into the recording studio to overlay the ethereal vocals with down tuned guitars with monolithic riffs. It’s sort of Lacuna Coil or
Evanescence without the MTV sheen.. Lyrically there’s some depth in their tales of woe that will appeal to morose teens and bitter students everywhere. Their three stand out tracks for my money are the first single, ‘Are You Alive’, ‘Humanity Inc.’ and ‘Raping The Reverie’ which were the three tracks produced by George Jackson in Finland whereas the bulk of the album was recorded by John Fryer in Latvia.Live, the band are beginning to get a positive feedback, looking and sounding the part. Here’s where the success will ultimately lie. Although the word esoteric means ‘something not known by many’ or ‘underground’,
Exoteric deserve a better fate. Duncan Jameson Powerpoints: 7/10

Raping The Reverie: a deep, powerful lead female vocal, hard but not too hard riffing, and with a slow and purposeful feel about it. Are You Alive goes more for the jugular wiith, after a grinding intro, a higher tempo at which it firmly stays. It’s the more distinctive song of the two, providing an interesting, more textured bridge section
CUR1350 Radio Cambridge University

Anneka's voice is top notch, Raping … is the better of the 2 tracks, a band with huge potential
Blast 1836 Radio Reading University

Raping The Reverie (Single Edit). Atmospheric opening before initial power chords kick in forcefully.
Song overall follows the quiet verse, loud chorus format but with a swagger and confidence that lifts it
way above the generic. Crystal clear production probably has something to do with this, although the
main reason has to be the level of musicianship and quality of the vocals. The bridge section works
particularly well, carrying on the Eastern influence, and is reminiscent of "Kashmir".
This is a well structured song with good dynamics and should work well live.

Are You Alive? Current single. Quality opening riff, very catchy. The underlying groove of the song, topped
off with the great vocals, will make this one very popular live, especially as the chorus has a great hook.
Overall I like this one but there were a couple of things that didn't quite work for me. The quieter bridge section
sounds a bit flat, although live I'm sure it will provide an interesting counterpoint. The final chorus and
repeated vocal gets a bit wearing and I wonder if the song would work better slightly shorter? For me
the first two thirds of the track are excellent, but the final third doesn't have enough impact and gets a bit samey.
That said I still think it will be a great live song, the opening riff and especially the
hook in the chorus should ensure this sells well.Overall impressions are positive. This isn't my usual style of rock,
probably the only band inthis genre that I rate being Lacuna Coil. I'm wondering how the full length album is going to
sound - another seven or eight tracks of this quality and it should do well. Production is
superb, guitars are crisp, drums (especially the snare) sound good and the vocals are strong and clear.
Millennium of Blood / Chop Music

This double 'A' side EP released on the 'Holier Than Thou' label starts with some ethereal keyboard noise in the background while the lead singer Anneka Latta serenades. You wonder what direction this band is looking to go in until the guitars and drums explode into life with gusto. This mournful sound, combined with the clarity of the lyrics, combine and make a strong offering. The ethereal keyboard and vocal combo is a running theme throughout the song, with the heaviest instruments saved for the chorus. Latta sings with sorrow and heart but you do feel that there is a limited range that her vocals could excel at - although this is definitely within her range. The instrumental halfway through the song is so deep and slow that you can see this really be the song of choice for people in despair. The lyrics speak of the humbling of someone with a broken heart, thrown down into despair with a broken heart. The single is nice and long so has time to fit a lot of different things in - at about 5:00, another instrumental goes on and the backing transcendence of the despairing Latta on keyboard really captures the mood of darkness. The song ends in this vein, a keyboard whine fading out. The second bonus single taken from their new album 'Don't Swallow' (you wonder how much of a influence Latta had on the album title... hopefully she remained friends with whatever member of the band gave her this idea..) is titled 'Are you Alive' and starts with a much more up pace beat and riffery. Anneka has to now change her style slightly to a more fast paced growling style of vocals. The drumming in this song is exceptional and Steve Riley ties the song together with the prodigal skill he expresses. The keyboard use in this single is limited and I feel all the better for it.. even though it's always there in the background, more impetus is put on the awesome drumming and the flowing bass line of Davey Parry. The chorus really brings out an animalistic sound in Latta and she takes up the role of the manic seamstress with an excellent performance here. Both of these singles definitely have the potential to be brilliantly received by a fan base well into the melodic unhappiness Latta puts into her voice and it's my hope that we see their forthcoming album out soon - 2008 is the year they've set and we're more or less running out of months! This band have made an excellent effort and we can only wait for more.
Rock 3 Radio

Raping the Reverie- A very stately and assured crunching wave of metal. The vocals are stunning; the whole song is a little unexpected. We have some metal and goth shows that will love this!
Kube Radio University Of Stafford

Playing under numerous guises since 2003 the Anglo/Irish quartet forming Exoterik have gained a basis of energetic rock and an impressive live show. Don't Swallow is the new album on these goth rockers who have gained comparison to the likes of Lacuna Coil and Autumn.

'The Catalyst' opens up proceedings with a thrash rock style riff and Anneka Latta's eerily styled keyboards. The drums however sound slightly flat in punctuating the power of the riff. It works well with the verse section where the instruments give way and the female vocal rings through in a fashion similar to Amy Lee or Christina Scabbia. The song is of good quality however I feel that a bit more punch in the mix would have added a power and presence which would really benefit the album. 'Salvation' and 'Watch You Bleed' both do their be it to affirm the band's sound and style as deeply rooted in the rock category with a penchant for attempted big hooks and classic styling's. Latta's voice at times comes across as though it's trying to soar but their is something not quite allowing it to, forming a restraint that takes overall, if only just slightly, from the overall sound. The use of the keyboard is well done in terms of providing a distinction between this and just standard rock with a girl singer twist. Their interludes are both unique and odd but offer a different interpretation than what is first thought. 'Complicity' is perhaps the best song in its introduction as softly plucked guitars' and keys build and atmosphere and ambiguity that has previously remained anonymous. As the vocal's ring through this is obviously one of Latta's strongest performances on Don't Swallow. There is a passion and fervour whilst remaining well within the confines of the songs subtly. It gives the eventual kick in more prowess and listenability. The album continues and after 6 or 7 songs the guitar and drum patterns do become slightly repetitive in their nature. Again its hard to say whether more punch in the sound would achieve a better hook but there is something slightly restraining about the songs. Overall I think that there will be a large section of people who would enjoy the sounds of Exoterik although it will not be for everyone's tastes. ROCKSNAIL