From the darkened depths of an abyss where beauty is forged from the pristine shadows arises the surreal beauty and bombast of Agalloch. Their third opus, “The Mantle” [The End Records], is as eclectic as it is powerful. Combining a diverse spectrum of styles into a unique, intense experience, Agalloch has fashioned an amazing brand of Avant-Garde Blackened Death Metal.
Strangely, the overall feel is somewhat akin to fusing Pink Floyd and Emperor into a cataclysmic force. Elements of Gothic, Black, Death, and Avant-Garde Metal dance within the unreal beauty. Clean, Goth vocals are pierced by shrill, shrieking growls, intermingling with synthesizers, acoustic guitar, electric roar, and ferocious rhythms.
The most incredible tracks include “In The Shadow Of Our Pale Companion,” the bizarre brilliance of “…And The Great Cold Death Of The Earth,” “Odal,” “The Hawthorne Passage,” and the poetic glory of “You Were But A Ghost In My Arms.” Agalloch is as savage as they are sublime.
Overall, Agalloch has a glorious darkness that truly shines. This album illustrates that fact perfectly. Stay savage. Farewell.
Related Bands: Burzum, Arcturus, Kovenant, Mayhem, Love History, Green Carnation, Mental Home, Dimmu Borgir, Nokturnal Mortum, Mistigo Varggoth Darkestra, etc.
Keep the faith, and the AGGRESSION. War.
Bill Vogel III
Email at: StrangeAeons@hatebox.net
Copyright 2003.
Courtesy of Stranger Aeons Magazine.
