Tea Time

genre: folk metal, progressive drink: water Now this is more like what I'm talking about. Although not quite a progressive song, this one was a needed change in pace for the album. Taking all the traditional elements in a metal band, I was always fond of Agalloch's style, especially the cleans. I got to give my props to the darker, grungy voice as well. It's quite tasteful, and not too overbearing. Fortunately, there's a lot of variation and play on the themes throughout the song, enough to keep it interesting.  At one point, they use chimes to accentuate their sonic profile. I only wish they used more of it. The songs are starting to blend together. Either I should listen to these songs back to back, or maybe their style is not quite the one for me.  Rating: 6.5/10

genre: folk metal, progressive Song 5 on the album I'm slowly working through. It's been a while because I've found so many songs to fill the gaps in between. But today will be the intermittent exception.  From what I've learned about Agalloch, they like to play with a bunch of different instruments to get a wide range of tones and timbres, colors, whatever terminology you prefer. A few things remain the same (i.e. the rich acoustic guitar, and usually an accompanying distorted electric). Like most of their songs, they open with a mysterious and ominous pattern in the acoustic, with accenting flairs from the electric.  Something's different here though. I can hear a double bass instead of a typical electric bass. It doesn't do anything particular interesting except to add a rustic, rugged flavor to their folk sound. I'm always curious as to what that percussive instrument that plays almost like a metronome in the background (it sounds like a weird hol...

genre: folk metal, progressive, experimental drink:   water Here's to song four of Agalloch's  The Mantle .  Now we're getting somewhere. Compared to the previous song, Odal , this song packs quite a punch. Opening with a blistering drum beat, I Am The Wooden Doors , stands out against the backdrop of the album. I can't imagine what it's like to listen to this live. It's definitely a head-banger. Now and then, there's an intermission where the dynamics shift. I'm always a fan of the folk guitar, and it seems to be one of their favorite, consistent ideas to throw in.  There are few vocals, and it's almost like the other instruments take precedence over the singing. But when there is  singing, Agalloch manages to make it worthwhile. However, it's the drum beat that really steals the show.  Rating: 8.5/10

genre: folk metal, progressive, experimental drink:   water Here's to song three of Agalloch's The Mantle .  The tone of the guitar is completely different this time around. It's got a bright and clean sound to it, offset with the bellowing, beating drum in the background. Whatever that drum is, it sounds huge,  maybe a concert bass? I wouldn't be surprised.  Picking up at about 2:30, the guitar starts to build up. The march of the snare drum complements the newly distorted guitar chords. This build up actually dies out, which is disappointing to me, as I thought it would lead to a new section. However, it's more of what the intro was like, with variations of the guitar riffs. Around 5:30, the section descrescendos into near nothingness as a bright piano solos. It fills the surrounding silence with melancholic chord progressions. The delay and reverb on the piano enhances the sheer loneliness of the piece. And then, carried out by the wind below us, what sou...

genre: folk metal, progressive metal, drink:   strawberry and banana smoothie Moving on with the album, here is a song that's a real kicker. Listening to this is like taking a big bite out of the album. With this particular song, you can definitely see the similarities with Godspeed You! Black Emperor. And as such, really best way to listen to this song is to divert attention away from other distractions and experience it.  Nonetheless, it has its own place. Firstly, the timpani's back! Good ol' timpani. I wonder if that'll be a continuing theme throughout the album. Moreover, melodic lines throughout the song build upon and vary the phrase from the timpani.  Two minutes into the song, I was pretty caught off-guard, because until now I haven't heard a single word from the band. I hate to say it, but I'm not a fan of a majority of screamo. I understand it's place, but for me it has to have a particular flair to it. Luckily for Agalloch, I find it pretty...

genre: folk metal, progressive metal, drink:   strawberry and banana smoothie Agalloch is a new band that I've come across, and it made sense to me to listen to every song on one of their albums ( The Mantle, 2002) and document each one. In other words, it's a special series! Starting off with the album opener: A Celebration For The Death Of Man. Right off the bat, a timpani roars and introduces a rich acoustic guitar. The melody (if you can even call it that) in the guitar creates a slight dissonance as it moves through the chord progression. With the timpani leading the march, a low, droning, distorted guitar adds color and build up the song.  Being only two minutes long, this piece establishes a mood for the remaining album. In the far off distance, you can almost hear tribal instruments decorating the canvas. Over time, they only become more and more prominent, inciting a sort of mellow march. I don't know if I can really consider this a whole song, as it's m...