A Pyrrhic Existence
# A Pyrrhic Existence

A Pyrrhic Existence is the seventh studio album by the British funeral doom band Esoteric. Just like the two previous albums before it, A Pyrrhic Existence is a double album. It was released on November 8, 2019 through Season of Mist.

A Pyrrhic Existence is Esoteric's final studio album featuring founding guitarist Gordon Bicknell, who left the band prior to its release.

## Reception

Professional ratings :

| Review scores ||
| - | - |
| Source | Rating |
| Blabbermouth | |
| Metal Injection | |
| Metal Storm | Positive |
| Rock Hard | |

A Pyrrhic Existence was released to positive reviews. Blabbermouth called lead single "Descent" an instant highlight, stating that when Greg Chandler's vocals "burst through the fog at the three-and-a-half-minute mark, it's like the voice of some fearsome, hateful deity resounding through thick storm clouds to the Earth below". Jerome Reuter of Metal Injection notably gave the album a perfect score commenting on how Esoteric have once again set the bar high by releasing a double album with no filler. He ended his review saying "A modern Greek tragedy told in six parts, it's nothing short of a theatrical masterpiece".

### Accolades

| Publication | Accolade | Rank | Ref. |
| - | - | - | - |
| Stereogum | Best Metal Albums 2019 | 5 | |

## Personnel

### Esoteric

* Greg Chandler – vocals, guitars
* Gordon Bicknell – guitars
* Jim Nolan – guitars
* Mark Bodossian – bass
* Joe Fletcher – drums

### Miscellaneous

* Lisa Schubert – cover art
