Agalloch - The White (EP)

[Yoggi]

I'm going to be trying to highlight some bands who are really doing different things in the next while, so I'll start with this one.


http://www.myspace.com/agalloch
Agalloch is a dark metal band, but they do not confine themselves within the genre. Their latest offering "The White" (following 2006's full length "Ashes Against The Grain") explores a much more folky side of their music. Slow tempos, lots of ambiance, layering of acoustic and electric guitar, use of some more natural sounding percussion, interesting sampling.

The most notable would be the introduction to "The Isle of Summer", with a chorus of children chanting "We carry dead, out of the village". The song then uses a cool combination of a string instrument (may be a mandolin, i don't know my guitars too well) as well as acoustic and electric guitars, making for some really interesting music.

There is next to no lyrical content in the album, it being about the emotions evoked by the sounds themselves, which allows for a lot of personal interpretation. I find the entire thing very calming, and none the less awesome. Vocal melodies in the forms of chants are occasionally used, again with great success. For the rating, i shall use the samples as the basis for lyrics.

This EP is limited to 2000 Copies, so it will be very hard to find in any stores, If you want a download link, PM me and I'll send you a link.  It's short, only 33 ish minutes long, but all 33 of those (barring one 2 minute song) are incredible. If you look on some record distros, its still fairly easy to find a copy of this, though there are few left.

My rating would be as follows:
Instrumentals:9.5
Vocals:8
Lyrics:9
Replay:8
Overall:8.5

"Now, those children out there, they're jumping through the flames in the hope that the god of fire will make them fruitful. Really, you can hardly blame them. After all, what girl would not prefer the child of a god to that of some, acne-scarred artisan?

-And you, you encourage them in this?

Actively. It's most important that each new generation born on Summerisle be made aware that here the old gods aren't dead.

-But what of the true god... to whose glory churches and monasteries have been built on these islands for generations past? Now sir, what of him?

He's dead. He can't complain. He had his chance, and in the modern parlance, he blew it."

-Sowilo Rune
(Sampled from The Wickerman)

[MetalMusicMan]

Another awesome find, Mr. Yoggi.  This is very soft for your tastes, though, isn't it?  Haha.  I really like the sound.  This is probably even more unexpectedly cool than The Angelic Process.  Absolutely wonderful sound.  I'll have to see about acquiring this.  It's just... so... enveloping and calming and whatnot. Melodic pianos, strings, synths, it's just awesome.  I loves it.

[Yoggi]

you would be surprised how diverse my taste is. not all of the coming reviews i'm going to do are going to be in the same vein of musical style, but it will all be pretty different stuff

[MetalMusicMan]

you would be surprised how diverse my taste is. not all of the coming reviews i'm going to do are going to be in the same vein of musical style, but it will all be pretty different stuff

Oooooh you have a plan.  that's sexy!  Keep up the sex, Yoggers!

[Yoggi]

I just ordered this, with another agalloch CD for 20 bucks, and it was the last one in stock. fuck am i lucky

[MetalMusicMan]

You beesh!

[Yoggi]

there were 8 last night, i checked today and was like OH SHIZNAT GOTTA GET IT!

[MetalMusicMan]

Someone else should really respond here cause this stuff is orgasmic.

[Cranklanx]

carp

[MetalMusicMan]

ermn.  bwah?

[Cry Baby]

Like Yoggi said. Some bands rely on certain sounds to keep people attentions. Like, two-steppers love breakdowns. While head bangers love the fast thrash to songs. Its all about what a producer wants the band to sound like, and how the recordings go in the studio.

I too have a taste for tons of music, I don't bash any types and I'm not picky. I like what gets my attention. And Agalloch sounded like I was gettin' high. Very odd, but still (like other bands) caught my attention from there unique sound.

And breakdowns are very cliche. But I love them most of the time, as long as they fit to some portion of a  song. Not just random. I'll post some local bands here, and you guys tel me what you think. Most of them I think suck. But I'll come up with a list, and you guys tell me on a scale how much you like them, or dislike them.

^_^

[Yoggi]

My copy of this came today.... mmmmmmm #10 of 2000, check www.vendlus.com they may have it, or hopefully may get some soon