The Esoteric is a metalcore / experimental mathcore band from Lawrence in Kansas, formed in 1996. The Esoteric originally formed as a punk band called The Jaycocks. Opening for Coalesce in 1998, the band refined its sound and changed its name to Esoteric. It added a "The" to differentiate itself from the British funeral doom band of the same name. Following several self-produced EPs, the band's debut full-length, With the Sureness of Sleepwalking, came out on Prosthetic Records in 2005. Their follow-up, Subverter, released on Prosthetic in 2006. On 1st January 2007 the band announced the departures of guitarist Cory White and drummer Marshall Kilpatric. White left for personal reasons while Kilpatric relocated to Los Angeles to join Black Light Burns. Former drummer Adam ‘Hammerlord’ Mitchell covered drums for a short Canadian tour. White and Kilpatrick did rejoin the band for a few select shows in the Kansas City area in 2009 including the American Waste Festival. In 2011, the band covered the track "Iron Clad Lou" for the compilation album Songs of Farewell and Departure: A Tribute To HUM.