2023-09-12 06:00:22
Origin: Portland / USA
Genre: Atmospheric Folk / Black Metal / Post-Rock / Avangarde
For friends of: Ulver, Katatonia, Fields of the Nephilim, Empyrium
Side Fact: John Haughm’s girlfriend at the time sang the female vocals She Painted Fire Across the Skyline and As Embers Dress the Sky a.
Agalloch formed in 1995 and after two promo tapes From Which Of This Oak and Promo 1998 with Pale Folklore released their debut album. While the first two promo tapes were still characterized by the echoes of the growing black metal, the Americans now took new, more open paths. Although elements of black metal were still included in the context, they were enriched with influences from folk, progressive and post-rock.
A breakout from solidified structures
Added to this was the band’s ability to not allow themselves to be pushed. This applies to both the style and the structure of their songs. The compositions are almost epic Pale Folklore and are paired with long instrumental passages and almost danceable pieces. Back then, that was almost a no-go in the area of dark and black music. The black metal genre in particular tends to limit itself under the sign of “Trveness”, to repeat itself and to only look for a creative way out in heaviness.
The emotional content of the lyrics paired with the exuberant songs make the debut of Agalloch that’s why it’s so unique. The band quickly achieved a top position in the category that can be summarized under the umbrella term of avant-garde metal.
Emotional fire signs
The choice of lyrical topics also took its own path. There were no genre-typical anti-Christian texts or historical excursions to battlefields that were described. Natural moods, tragic themes and metaphysical images were created by the sole lyricist John Haughm chosen to show us a world of pain, melancholy and cold.
Pale Folklore started mine She Painted Fire Across The Skylinethe first part of which is HERE is available to listen to. The composition resembles a three-fold musical triptikon, which is composed by John Haughm was created single-handedly.
Slow growth, emotional guitars, unexpected breaks and quiet parts characterize the twenty-minute triple. In addition to the different singing voices and styles, there is also female singing from his girlfriend at the time as a contrast. Always falling into disrepair She Painted Fire Across The Skyline into a different rhythm and manages to temporarily marry acoustic parts with discreetly placed double bass attacks.
Between ebony and cold days
The instrumental creates a certain break and distance The Misshapen Steedwhich is a solo composition by the keyboardist Shane Breyer is. The remaining four pieces were led by John Haughm each created with a different band member. Maybe that’s the key to why Pale Folklore Sounds so complex and yet seems to be all of a piece.
Still, it’s danceable Hallways Of Enchanted Ebonywhich you HERE can listen to, already a challenge for the entrenched dark audience. Probably the hardest pieces follow Dead Winter Days, As Embers Dress The Sky and the longest album track The Melancholy Spiritif one assumes that the opener is divided into three parts.
In the composition The Melancholy Spirit the band summarizes all trademarks. Hard and tender passages alternate, the throaty, rough vocals change to clear ones. Closed, humming guitar walls are followed by acoustic passages. Pale Folklore is an emotional masterpiece of connection and a moment of happiness that can still be found in the following works Of Stone, Wind, and Pillor and The Mantle continued.
And suddenly reunited
They separated in 2016 Agalloch to the dismay of fans. Musically it was moving John Haughm more and more into the experimental genre. Everyone was even more delighted that the band unexpectedly appeared as part of the Prophecy Fests announced their reunion in the Balverhöhle in 2023. The always well-attended event was sold out within a very short time.
A live experience is one thing, but the work on local recordings is another. The vinyl and CD editions of Agallochs Due to their popularity and constant sales, albums have sometimes reached dizzying prices.
So it benefits us that Eisenwald Records Agallochs Debut reissue as deluxe 2-LP, tape and CD. If you already have the vinyl or CD in your closet, then take a look at the luxury 2-CD hardcover edition Pale Folklore. There is also this here From Which Of This Oak demo, the Of Stone, Wind, & Pillor EP, that Promo ‘98 Tape and an additional bonus track on top. More Agalloch then it doesn’t work anymore.
Line Up
John Haughm – vocals, guitar, drums
Don Anderson – guitar, backing vocals
Jason William Walton – Bass
Shane Breyer – Keyboards
Links
Facebook Agalloch
Instagram Agalloch
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