Esoterica @ New Cross Inn, New Cross

With people staring into the personal black holes that make up half the countries bank accounts after the Christmas period and the threat of further snow it couldn't have been the easiest time to play a gig. Despite this Esoterica treat this January crowd to a night of voluminously delicious music.

To start with the set from the altenative metal five-piece was somber, almost acting as both an introduction to the unaffiliated and a warm up for a band who hadn't played since before the expensive behemoth that is Christmas. The slowness of this opening allowed the individual elements of the band to shine. The bass lines crept around the venue, prodding anyone threatening to lose interest, while the Maynard James Keenan-esque vocal style from the shoeless and entertaining frontman draws you into the semi-complex song structures.

If the first half of the performance was slow and thoughtful, the second was nothing short of fascinating. It could have been a case of saving the best material for the latter part of the night, but these songs were glorius. Attentive but direct each and every note of the excellent 'Silence' made for a captivating three and a half minutes, especially since it contains one of the best choruses in recent memory. 'Don't rely on anyone' drags the crowd into the action thanks to its chanting melody while the Tool-isms of 'Watch this drive' press all the right buttons. The momentum is continued with the driving 'Tomorrow I won't remember' and a scrappy but fun version of 'Word up' to finish the night.

Tonight Esoterica show New Cross the best of UK alternative metal, converting a fair few people in the process. It's just a shame more people weren't here to witness it.

http://www.myspace.com/esoterica