Ethereal : Agalloch's The Mantle (2002)

Agalloch are one of the few outfits who had managed to create their own distinctive tone and atmosphere. Haughm's creativity is not only reflected from the diverse use of instruments and effects but also from the lyrical theme that has created an ambience with meaning and concept. I have been the admirer of Agalloch for many years. I have listened many similar acts like them but the overall atmosphere, effects and multiple instruments use, Haughm's use of clean/raw vocals, concept behind each track and last but not the least the cold narcotic feeling I feel is just what I can't explain. Their music is not for mainstream, I can deliberately say.

I personally decided to review this album conceptually as there are many reviews revolving around talking generally about the overall music and comparison.
"The Mantle" brought another masterpiece from Agalloch, Death in June & Godspeed inspired guitar blend is the foreground of this LP. Their influence from the filmography is reflected from "The Hawthorne Passage"; the influence from a folklore is much more reflected from "...and the Great Cold Death of the Earth" and from the deer skull chants on "The Lodge" and Nietzsche is reflected from "In the Shadow of Our Pale Companion"; the use of accordion, mandolin had brought a mellow tone in "A Desolation Song" and somewhat the sing-speak structure made this a little different from the other songs.
Well, I was reading their interviews and they said they were actually portraying some images and wanted to express those via this album and this is what they did. Each song is actually depicting its own story. Long passage of instruments mainly acoustics and leads are making a soothing and melancholy environment. 

stompbox-talk:

Besides from the concept and other things, I had been remain curious about the use of effects that Haughm does and I got lucky to see his pedalboard on effectsbay.com and he said in the interview that his effects always give birth to songs mainly like the Nova Delay is behind “Ghosts Of The Midwinter Fires” which you can listen in the intro. Delay is the main secret behind many of his composition that's why he has three units of delay (MoogerFooger Analog Delay, the Boss DD-6 and the TC Electronic Nova Delay). The noticeable use of flanger can be listened in the mid of "In the Shadow of Our Pale Companion" and MXR Micro Flanger is behind it. A must read for any Agalloch admirer: http://www.effectsbay.com/2011/12/talking-about-guitar-effects-with-john-haughm-of-agalloch/

Their music varies from atmospheric black metal to post-metal and post-rock with progressive rock influence but they describe it simply as dark metal and yes they are dark and cold. A best companion on a frosty night with nocturnal silence everywhere. You just can't get enough of this album, I bet. 

Also at:

  

Review of Empyrium's Where at Night the Wood Grouse Plays..

Empyrium's third full-length and is actually an Acoustic Folk type album with its roots coming from narcotic, nocturnal, necrophobic alike (or whatever you may understand from these words). Before exploring it, this particular album usually very much compared to Ulver's Kveldssanger (released in 1996) which you can say that, it is some sort of inevitable because of the similar theme carried by both bands, 'Where at Night the Wood Grouse Plays' released in 1999 and I personally feel this album have a calm sound as compared to Ulver, although both bands had tried to combine the perfect sort of melancholy elements. It really carries to precisely give a feeling of a bucolic, tranquil pastoral mood, the dark lyrical theme have the context of countryside, story of ghosts; the moors, beacons , the meadows and everything that can create the atmosphere of something that's called doomy-gloomy (gothic). Delightfully composed enchanting classical guitar blends a realistic feeling, the choir combination with flutes creates a soothing/depressive effect.

The album is mainly by the husband-wife duo - Ulf Theodor Schwadorf & Nadine Mölter, while Thomas Helm appeared as a guest vocalist. Albeit the most consistent things in this album is the guitar along with natural effects, the use of flute, the choir and lastly the lyrical theme.
Here, Helm is the man that I can give a complement; he had poured his natural emotions in the album through his vocals, another thing that I feel is there is something that Marcus is lacking, I didn't feel the emotions that esoteric thing in his vocals (though he has a baritone range in vocals- what else I can say?), “The Shepard and the Maiden Ghost” if you see it is full of lyrics but actually the whole song is whispered. If I don't talk about 'Where at Night the Wood Grouse Plays' - the intro, than it would be bad for me. A nicely composed instrumental, one of favourite since times ago, the breeze and blowing wind creates the effect of lullaby.

The standouts on this release are the last two songs. “Many Moons Ago” which a  recitation of the story of a man who has seen the ghost of a girl.(OMG! Creepy! but not horrible!). “When Shadows Grow Longer” is a remake of a previous Empyrium song, but done much better. Helm and Stock are able to harmonize nicely.
At last, this is a strong acoustic album, as a fan of acoustic stuff this is like a treat for me. The album could have made more better but still it gives you something great to listen when you are thinking about the hazy moor, whispering laments. This is mourn.

Review of 'The White' EP By Agalloch

I have always been so fond of acoustics, being a pro-crustie it sounds lil awkward but still I really love good music. Again I have Agalloch here, like there are somethings that can be called as mandatory and this band is surely be one of them: underrated, progressive, creative, soothing, melancholy, meaningful and last but not the least blend of beautifully composed guitars. As a atmospheric/dark/neo-folk addict; this is like heaven.

'The White' is the band's fourth EP released in 2008 but actually recorded in between 2004 to 2007, unlike the previous EP 'The Grey' which contains only two instrumentals and not so impressive, this one surely be a class apart. Agalloch is considered to be one of those bands that are always be so anticipated because of their avant-garde nature. Well, lets come back to the review thing, this EP was restricted to 2000 copies only and released via Vendlus Records. It contains seven tracks out of which three are instrumental (or more) because of the extensive use of acoustics and long solos.

The songs "The Isle of Summer," "Summerisle Reprise," and "Sowilo Rune" contain samples from the 1973 film 'The Wicker Man'. "Birch White" in which several quotes spoken by actor Christopher Lee are used. While spoken dialogue in music can usually be annoying, things work very well here; bestowing upon the music, an unsettling, existential theme. Here it features vocalist John Haughm reciting the poem "Birch Tree" by A.S.J. Tessimond (info taken from Meallum).

I must say John Haughm is the man who writes, plays, composes what he feels through the sorroundings, something that's hidden just like a cauldron of light which makes everyone to look towards it when in dark but few can see the nocturnal darkness which has something that can't be explained.

To me this is more like an instrumental extended-play, I really appreciate the supporting melody of keyboards, Jews harp, goat horn, well there are number of different instruments that have used and make this masterpiece. The cave voice by Victoria Knippschild is just the way it needs. What can I say about acoustics, simply out of this planet. The cryptic harmony is sentenced.

Not a typical work, it is esoteric.

Shoegaze that mourns (Review for Agalloch's Ashes Against The Grains)

What can I say, Shoegaze influenced dark metal which people call atmospheric black metal is the most diverse and melancholy genre that I ever heard of. A loyal fan for many years, Its a part of my nature; I am like a nomad in the search of beacon passing through the hazy moor since many moon ago. What this soothing music gives me is an endless calm with loads of misery, at least I can escape from my fate rousing inside with endless tears. Agalloch was the first band along with Alcest (I remember) that introduced me to this doomy melody, before that I usually listened German based folk act Empyrium and others. My affection to this sacred music doesn't allow me yet to write about the album. huhuh!

'Ashes Against The Grain' is the third full-length from the Portland based act. The album was dedicated to Christoph Florian Rehse of Gothenburg scene's Escape The Day who committed suicide in 2005. John Haughm is the front-man, the genius behind all the lyrical content. As I do write lyrical themes inspired from the same phenomenon and circumstances, The lyrics need a big applause first; each track in the album is totally concept based which is very rare among the bands. The guitars are perfectly balanced creating dirge. The acoustic work truly truly suits the pattern. Vocals are like the laments while the hearse passes by. I really appreciate the drum work which is so prominent and doesn't fade apart in the raw riffs.

The album contains eight tracks out of which three are instrumentals. The prologue starts with 'Limbs' (my favourite track), the song should be listened in a narcotic silence so one can better feel the sorrowful tune. 'Falling Snow' is yet another masterpiece that leads you to the bleak winters. 'Fire above, Ice below, 'Not Unlike The Waves' & 'Bloodbirds (Our Fortress Is burning...II)' are something that has a depressive placebo effect that rectifies the person's solitude for a time. Instrumentals are awful too, amazing sort of work.
To me, Its a perfect art that can enrich sorrow but descends the austere.

The review later published on  with the name 'Shoegaze That Mourns' on 5-06-14 & can be found here: Shoegaze That Mourns