Prog4you.com - Progressive Rock Review - Agalloch

:: Review ::

Take a moment to read the Musicians and Additional Contributors sections of this review; you will see there is a lot happening on this masterpiece of an album. Multi-talented Haughm plays guitar(s), drums, writes lyrics, sings, creates samples and plays a myriad of other instruments. Combined with the rest of his versatile band and a host of additional musicians that soulfully contribute contrabass, samples, bells, trombone, synths, mandolin, and accordion, we have ourselves one heck of a recording; and I'm out of breath. Wahoo!

The ominous but eloquent "A Celebration For The Death Of Man…", starts us on our journey to the center of life itself. (If you think that is a strong statement, read the lyrics.) Next, they bring the 14-minute plus " In The Shadow Of Our Pale Companion". This is the first time we get to hear Haughm's eerie voice, which will easily transition from growling, to singing, to talking, and whispering throughout the varied pieces.

Where do I begin with the lyrical content of this album? The words get your mind thinking and your soul feeling primitive with ancient elements and emotions: Fire, Wind, Wood, Despair, Desolation, Gloom, Fear, Snow, Cold, Life, God, Death, Hopelessness, and Water to name a few. And that's only by the second song. There are four instrumentals on this album. Including "Odal" and the inspiring 11-minute "The Hawthorne Passage". "I Am The Wooden Doors" introduces us to a bit of speedy guitar fury. Anderson, on guitar is the king of his barren land on this track. There is a sharp contrast into the next instrumental track "The Lodge". Gloomy guitar slows us down then we hear a wayward soul trudging through the snow as we are introduced to the original and eerie sound of deer antler percussion. Look for this effect to resurface later on in the album. "You Were But A Ghost In My Arms" is another one of my favorites. Abandonment, rejection, despair, and pain at its finest. The line from "…And The Great Cold Death Of The Earth" which states " Life is like a clay urn on the mantle and I am shattered on the Floor…" sums it all up. The song continues with an excerpt from Cherokee folklore and also includes trombone, DEEP contrabass, some of the most inspiring percussion on the album, along with more acoustic and electric guitar excellence.

" A Desolation Song" includes some familiar elements: Liquor, loneliness, and memories of loss. A tragic combination that proves to be a fitting end to the album. Agalloch does an excellent job of creating a special secret place for us to go. A place where many have not seen. Or where many might be afraid to look. The far away place in our minds eye, which upon viewing will strip you to your core, and leave you asking questions about you own life, relationships and mortality.

The only complaint I have is the percussion. The pounding is strong in a few songs, but weak in others. In some tracks, it is not powerful enough to match up with everything else going on, and therefore takes away from the aura that this band creates on this album.

All in all, the music is awe-inspiring and original. I will look out for other recordings from this band.

9 out of 10 keyboards.
Reviewed By: Lord M

Visit the artist website: Agalloch

Check out the Agalloch MP3
...And the Great Cold Death Of The Earth. mp3
also available on our MP3 page

:: Additional Contributors ::

Aaron Sholes- Sample
Neta Smollack-Sample
Danielle Norton-Trombone
Ron Chick-Synths, Bells, Mandolin
Ty Brubaker-Contrabass, Accordion

:: DISCOGRAPHY ::

"Pale Folklore" CD 1999
"Of Stone Wind And Pillor" MCD 2001
"The Mantle" CD 2002

You can purchase this CD from
The End Records