Estatic Fear (the first word of their name being a portmanteau of ecstatic and esthetic) is a metal band from Linz, Austria. Their songs include elements of several different genres, such as doom metal, gothic metal, folk and classical music.
The band was founded in the year of 1994 with the intent of combining both classical melodies and dark metal 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, and 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 album, doom metal is combined with orchestral arrangements on piano and cello, and instruments such as the lute, flute, and acoustic guitar. 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, since the remaining members had previously left the band. Guest musicians were featured on the album to assist with additional instruments. The tracks labeled "Chapter I" through "Chapter IX" are meant to be interpreted as if the album was played as a story or concept album, 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 distinguished cult following after the release of "A Sombre Dance". Estatic Fear is also featured on Austrian metal band Hrossharsgrani's Schattenkrieger album (2002, CCP Records)
As of 2008, Kogler had apparently written enough material for two new albums, but was uncertain when he would have time to record them.
Discography
1996 - Somnium Obmutum
1999 - A Sombre Dance
Last line-up
Matthias 'Calix Miseriea' Kogler - guitars, piano
Milan 'Astaroth Magus' Pejak - drums
Markus Miesbauer - bass, vocals
Jürgen 'Jay' Lalik - vocals
Thomas Hirtenkauf - vocals
Klaus Kogler - lute
Bernhard Vath - cello
Claudia Schöftner - vocals
Franz Hageneder - flute
Former members
Markus Pointner - drums
Beowulf - vocals, bass
Stauff - guitars
Marion - vocals
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