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| Key Release: The Mantle (2002) |
Crossover metal is all the rage these days: progressive jazz-fusion,
melodic post-hardcore, symphonic tech-death – just throw a bunch of genres in a
blender and see what you get. But before all the stylistic absurdity, Agalloch made
a name for themselves by putting some beauty in the most extreme of genres – black
metal. Founded in Portland, Oregon in 1995 by multi-instrumentalist John
Haughm, the band has become one of the most popular “extreme” acts in the
United States thanks to its gripping storytelling and widely appreciable sound.
In its four full-length albums, Agalloch has explored a wide spectrum with
Scandanavian-style black metal at one end and lush acoustic folk arrangements
at the other. 2002’s
The Mantle
proved a breakthrough effort, tipping the scales in favor of clean vocals and
dreamy guitar interludes and saving the caustic peaks for the most emotionally
gripping moments.
