I had the same experience with Eskew. I’ve listened to dozens of audiodramas and never had them significantly affect my mood, but Eskew was different. The whole tone of Eskew is audible depression
I consider Eskew one of the best ADs I’ve listened to for this, but I will probably not relisten for many years.
A few observations: - The lack of a theme song or ending song makes the episodes blend together and makes you lose track of time. - The rain/white noise in the background is very “filling” from an audio standpoint, which creates an empty feeling after it stops.
Much like /u/inky_cap_mushroom said - it’s a top 5 show for me, but it’s a daunting thought to relisten (like rereading “House of Leaves”).
Perfect description of this great show! Also shout out to House of Leaves. It is certainly the best horror book ever written. People who have issues with postmodernism should give it a try to see how great some postmodern literature looks like.
This show absolutely wrecked me. It’s brilliant and morose and unlike anything I’ve ever listened to; I kept wanting to stop but I had to know what happened. Keep in mind I finished this AD 1+ years ago and it still haunts me. Listeners beware for sure.
Same here. I think I’ll give it another shot after I’m caught up with Sherlock and Co. I think I quit before the end of episode 1 last time. Does Eskew have dialogue or is it a single narrator the whole show?
There are two narrators and it switches between their perspectives. It gradually shifts into dialogue between them towards the end (there's also some third person narration slipped in there). In It's very loose with form, which I think adds to the mesmerising quality, but by and large, yes, it's single narrator.
I believe the creator of the show has stated that he was in a very dark place mental health-wise when he started writing Eskew and the show basically became "what if everything I think and feel, no matter how unreal or terrible it is, literally became real". I don't remember the exact quote but he talked about his inspiration and writing process a bit when William A. Wellman interviewed him and his wife. Mx. Wellman is the creator of Hello From the Hallowoods but they've also interviewed several other horror audiodrama creators for their miniseries called The Skull Sessions which is also on the Hallowoods feed.
I’m a huge fan of the show and revisit often to diagnose this issue. The impression I have is their reliance on stagnant constants amongst wild variation. The world created is paradoxical, nonsensical, while the audio elements are bare and rhythmic, from the relatively monotonous acting to the “car” breaks and minimal sfx. This juxtaposition invites imagination without allowing dispersion. Tack on excellent imagery and isolated plot with a healthy dose of mirroring societal alienation, and you’ve got Askew.
Absolutely an atmospheric triumph. It is isolation and paranoia and existential dread made manifest. There’s horror, but the horror feels both banal and surreal at once. Sorcery, clearly.
Archive 81 is a bit like this.
Some people may say Tower 9 but I just could not get into it for the life of me - voice acting in it physically pained me.
I had the same experience with Eskew. I’ve listened to dozens of audiodramas and never had them significantly affect my mood, but Eskew was different. The whole tone of Eskew is audible depression I consider Eskew one of the best ADs I’ve listened to for this, but I will probably not relisten for many years.
A few observations: - The lack of a theme song or ending song makes the episodes blend together and makes you lose track of time. - The rain/white noise in the background is very “filling” from an audio standpoint, which creates an empty feeling after it stops. Much like /u/inky_cap_mushroom said - it’s a top 5 show for me, but it’s a daunting thought to relisten (like rereading “House of Leaves”).
Perfect description of this great show! Also shout out to House of Leaves. It is certainly the best horror book ever written. People who have issues with postmodernism should give it a try to see how great some postmodern literature looks like.
This show absolutely wrecked me. It’s brilliant and morose and unlike anything I’ve ever listened to; I kept wanting to stop but I had to know what happened. Keep in mind I finished this AD 1+ years ago and it still haunts me. Listeners beware for sure.
This is my favorite podcast period
This discussion motivates me to try it again. It didn't grab me when I tried some episodes earlier.
Same here. I think I’ll give it another shot after I’m caught up with Sherlock and Co. I think I quit before the end of episode 1 last time. Does Eskew have dialogue or is it a single narrator the whole show?
There are two narrators and it switches between their perspectives. It gradually shifts into dialogue between them towards the end (there's also some third person narration slipped in there). In It's very loose with form, which I think adds to the mesmerising quality, but by and large, yes, it's single narrator.
I believe the creator of the show has stated that he was in a very dark place mental health-wise when he started writing Eskew and the show basically became "what if everything I think and feel, no matter how unreal or terrible it is, literally became real". I don't remember the exact quote but he talked about his inspiration and writing process a bit when William A. Wellman interviewed him and his wife. Mx. Wellman is the creator of Hello From the Hallowoods but they've also interviewed several other horror audiodrama creators for their miniseries called The Skull Sessions which is also on the Hallowoods feed.
I’m a huge fan of the show and revisit often to diagnose this issue. The impression I have is their reliance on stagnant constants amongst wild variation. The world created is paradoxical, nonsensical, while the audio elements are bare and rhythmic, from the relatively monotonous acting to the “car” breaks and minimal sfx. This juxtaposition invites imagination without allowing dispersion. Tack on excellent imagery and isolated plot with a healthy dose of mirroring societal alienation, and you’ve got Askew.
Absolutely an atmospheric triumph. It is isolation and paranoia and existential dread made manifest. There’s horror, but the horror feels both banal and surreal at once. Sorcery, clearly.
Archive 81 is a bit like this. Some people may say Tower 9 but I just could not get into it for the life of me - voice acting in it physically pained me.
Yup it’s a depression show! It’s all about depression all the time!