Estatic Fear

Estatic Fear (the first word of their name being a portmanteau of ecstatic and aesthetic) is an Austrian symphonic metal band. Their songs include elements of several different genres, such as Classical, doom metal, Gothic metal, black metal, and folk music.

History

The band was founded in the year of 1994 with the intent of combining both classical melodies, Dark metal and Gothic metal styles in an instrumental mixture of lute, flute, piano and cello.

In 1995, Estatic Fear took part in the one-hour compilation "Exit", produced by Martin Auzinger and Peter Kern, together with bands Coffee & Cream, Mortus, Born In The Bottle, Bereavement, Nochtschicht, Herb, Dystrophy, Still No Name, Out Of Cage.

Later, in 1996, an agreement was signed with CCP Records, which led to the debut of their first album, "Somnium Obmutum", a four track epic which consisted of two short instrumental compositions, and two relatively long songs. In this majestic piece, moody, melancholic doom-metal is combined with orchestral arrangements on piano and cello, and authentic instruments like the lute, flute and acoustic guitars. The album was widely observed with interest from local media and underground metal fans alike.

After nearly three years of inactivity, Matthias Kogler (who formally acted under the pseudonym of "Calix Miseriae") recorded the second album "A Sombre Dance" in its entirety as a solo artist, as the remaining members had previously left the band. Guest musicians were featured on the album to assist with additional instruments. Similar to the first release, but based on a more delicate structure and graceful melodies, this album could be best described as a journey into the thoughts of the composer, following his emotional windings both in a musical and lyrical way. "A Sombre Dance" was quite different from the album's predecessor, as it swayed mildly into a different sort of music. The tracks labeled "Chapter I" through "Chapter IX" are meant to be interpreted as if the album was played as a story, meant to be told consecutively as though each song was a different chapter.

Although Estatic Fear have not achieved particular commercial success, they gathered a distinguishing cult following the release of A Sombre Dance.

As of 2008, Kogler had apparently written enough material for two new albums, but was uncertain when he would have time to record them.