Agalloch fans might be interested...

it's the difference between "wrath of the tyrant" and "ix equilibrium" or between "killers" and "fear of the dark".

it is the difference between what happens when people are young and full of conviction and imagination, and what happens when they're older, more "mature" and reasonable, and more comfortable in the role they've put themselves in. i don't necessarily mean that agalloch sounds like rock'n'roll music, just that it sounds "like a rock band". when you listen to something like burzum you don't imagine a band rocking out on stage, it's a different experience altogether that is wholly detached from the traditional rock band paradigm. i think agalloch had this at one point, and lost it, but that's alright because pretty much everyone loses that with age.

here's the review i wrote of "ashes..." if that helps at all

i don't think their path has changed, i think what i wrote above is still true. also, maybe i sound pretty harsh in the above posts, but let me make it clear that agalloch is still a really cool band that deserves all respect. i just love their music a lot and it's hard sometimes

edit: another thing is: this morning, on the sixth or seventh listen, "into the painted grey" is really good

 

I can see making a case for Ashes being a great album, because it was (although lesser than the first two), but Marrow is just lifeless and dull. The sad thing about the album is, you need to TRY and things to like about it, and when I realized that, I gave up. Into The Painted Grey has some great riffs but they never materialize into a good song.

 

as of today i think they do, actually, but it's pretty futile to discuss yet whether this is a great album or not. needs more time.

nevertheless, i can't keep myself from trying

 

This pretty much sums it up I reckon. I've listened to it maybe 9 or 10 times, but another 6 or 7 times I've found myself getting to Black Night Nidstång and then skipping back to Into the Painted Grey and The Watcher's Monolith. Those two tracks are great, and suit each other, but the album as a whole lacks the flow of past releases.

That said, I am enjoying the whole album more with each listen.

 

I hope my mind changes on this, I really do. I can maybe see myself getting into all but Black Lake Nidstang. The song takes up such a massive chunk of the album and is a huge disappointment. Just too much experimenting with post rock and noise sections.

 

Yeah exactly. The reviews I'd read prior to hearing it cited a song that 're-defines 'epic''. I just don't get that.

 

these rushed grand statements are generally a harbinger of disappointment. The song is not bad, but it hardly lives up to the pivotal role it was assigned I guess.

 

not to mention this:

in all seriousness, that review was bullshit hyperbole from the first word to the last and i did not need to hear the album, or know whether it was good or bad, to realize that

 

pretty much sums it up for me. i used to listen to pale folklore and see images of amazing things in my head, and it just hasn't happened yet with this one. but yeah, those two tracks are very good. i'll keep listening to it, we'll see what's up. believe it or not i was not crazy about the mantle at first, but that obviously changed.

 

if I LIKE it, there must be something wrong with it.

that's the only review you need.

 

Into The Painted Grey is my favorite song Agalloch has done since The Mantle (except for maybe Sowilo Rune from the white EP). I really hope they open with that on the upcoming shows in the northwest.

 

How to properly listen to Agalloch

 

Those who ordered the CD from Profound Lore should be getting it any day now. I got mine today.

 

Is anyone else surprised Haughm hasn't posted about the new album in here yet?

 

All we have to do is say we're upset and he'll show up.

 

Haughm was in a car accident recently. Maybe he's still laid up

 

No. I guess he has better things to do than carry out after sales services on forums for an album not even yet released in stores.

Let US do the (shit) talk

 

I'm holding off on shit talking this album until I actually listen to it, which at this rate will be never.

 

Into The Painted Grey has a section straight from Findling by Lunar Aurora and Black Lake Nidstang has a section around 11:15 pulled right from Given To The Rising by Neurosis.

 

I think you may be over-listening, my friend.