Agalloch- Marrow of the Spirit ALBUM REVIEW

[1993blackmetal]

some of your facial expressions remind me of maynard from tool :P

[GrungeRockabilly]

Ulver is better :P

[GentlemanOfTheAbyss]

I would like to see a review of the Mantle.

[awesomdor]

I don't know why but I can't stand this reviewer.

[jrinredcar]

God damn I love that album art work

[perrottafamily1]

This was the album that got me into Agalloch.

[darklord2626]

@perrottafamily1 check out The Mantle if you havnt already. Its my favorite album.

[JlovePJL]

Hey anthony, what do you think of Agallochs' album The Mantle?

[InterpolFL]

+1 on the Ulver mention.  Bergtatt - Et Eeventyr I 5 Capitler is a ridiculously good album.

[AmblingAmp520]

@InterpolFL Agreed, one of my all time favorites in Black Metal (and Folk Metal I suppose)

[ViolateTheOblivious]

0:06 oooooohhh haha

[elbrollo]

doh, i meant katatonia ofc, cant spell

[elbrollo]

hey man, i agree with you this is a good album from a band i personally like,

i just wanted to ad that when considering what influecenses this band has one should not forget the band katataonia, to be true this is more so with their earlier records, now i know you arent that you arent exactly impressed with this bands newer stuff, but if you listen to an album named "brave murder day" you know what im talking about, hopefully .

[matternicuss]

You should really check out the band Blut Aus Nord if you haven't already. You seem to like avant-garde black metal like Agalloch and Wolves' so Blut Aus Nord may be up your alley. They aren't as accessible as Agalloch or Wolves' but they make some very interesting contributions to the genre. Great review btw.

[Octavice]

Thx for the review. I now have a new favorite band!

[bipolargods509]

welcome to the great northwest!!!!

[MrSplatterPlatter]

definitely one of the best metal albums from last year, from one of the best metal bands around

[Rascaduanok]

Top tier album, excellent review, and I love your presentational and video style.

[raiman]

It was a great album

[yoyosareawesome1]

Please do edge of sanity's: crimson; its from the year 1996 but it's a prog death masterpiece.

[Megadedly]

@yoyosareawesome1 Yeah, Swano is great.

[Jmcc1212]

@yoyosareawesome1 Killer Album!

[karcist666]

hails, if you can squeeze in a review for LUNAR REIGN'S "MAGNUM OPUS", you would be the man! We're on youtube, myspace, last.fm

[Soilwar]

This release was so special to me that I waited weeks last winter until the snow fell really heavily for the first time. I then picked up my lazy dog and went down to the whitening forest. It was an amazing experience. Also my footsteps breaking through the icy snow on the ground really reminded me of their previous records where they put the same exact sound sample into their songs. Think it was used in "The Lodge". (:

[BathoryHordes]

You did not just diss Bergtatt.

[Wallhammer1337]

AGALLOCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[RenegadeScion]

I still haven't picked up this album yet. Also, I missed their show in Cambridge. That kinda sucked, as I really wanted to see them. Also, good review, man. I like the addition of humor.

[metallicat67]

My opinion has changed. They are all equal. Ashes is my favorite one.

[Colbystrns]

Im still getting used to this album, along with other Agalloch material, but it's so cool that such an awesome record was released on my birthday! (November 23)

[ohlmaxe]

Marrow is a great album I think.Evolution for Agalloch if you ask me.since ashes they have been wowing me.I think Agalloch is not only an important band to metal,but music in general.Saw them in Chicago last night and they were very tight,sounded amazing and were cool guys..and I have been meaning to check out your reviews for a quite some time.Hilarious and well played sir.ill be keeping up from now on

\m/

[PinkFloydrulez]

Oh, and I frakking love Marrow. It's still growing on me. When I was first hearing it around the time it came out I wasn't really sure what to think of it [and I'm still not 100%] but I've realized it's a perfectly natural evolution of the band's music. it's a new Agalloch but not completely removed from the older stuff - I still feel traces of even Pale Folklore in the music. Each album has its own unique identity.

[PinkFloydrulez]

The Mantle is the favorite to my mind because of the band's stories behind it but Pale Fokllore wins with my ears.

[NightmareStalker]

This album deserves a fucking 10/10. Now that is some fucked up beautiful Black Metal.

[jonisen96]

You are awesome! :)

[metallicat67]

I like this as much as Pale Folklore, the other stuff is not as good.

[darklord2626]

@metallicat67 Are you kidding? I love Pale Folklore but The Mantle is their best album by far.

[YoGurtDale]

My favourite band

[TheWargasmic]

Ashes Against the Grain was fucking awesome. The first 4-5 songs were amazing.

[cardboarddalek]

The "voice of the Nidstang" on Black Lake Nidstang fucking scared me shitless

[GitarrSnubben666]

@cardboarddalek That part is fucking amazing.

[cardboarddalek]

@GitarrSnubben666 It certainly is. That and the last couple of minutes of The Watcher's Monolith.

[qpilas]

great review. Subbed.

[desolateroom]

Haha I love your reviews man.

[achristyne]

i like your reviews. anyone who didn't enjoy the new Agalloch is an idiot.

[harmonioushand]

oh and to answer you're question I take them seriously, what I like about them is that unlike other BM bands they do not seemed to concerned about things like corpsepaint and portraying an "evil" image for the sake of it, and the lyrics are original and meaningful. The theme of nature in the music is always something that I have admired about them as well. I am not sure how other BM fans view them but to me that does not really matter!

[harmonioushand]

good review I really like that album and you know you're stuff. Do you have a rateyourmusic page?

[MehdiGlz]

Tag them in a specific genre is really hard, but they're certainly not black metal, maybe some black metal elements, but mofst of this kind of bands (melodic and not a defined genre) take elements from diff metal subgenres.

mmm, wolves in the idknowwhat, gotta chek them

[MehdiGlz]

Tag them in a specific genre is really hard, but they're certainly not black metal, maybe some black metal elements, but mofst of this kind of bands (melodic and not a defined genre) take elements from diff metal subgenres

[cbosmooth]

would love to know where people think Agalloch is black metal,, they are NOT a black metal band,, this album has a little more black metal sound and thats it. they have NEVER been black metal

[Wolfsblood6]

@cbosmooth they are not a pure black metal band, no, but they do have alot of black metal pieces in their music, enough to say they are a very atmospheric, experimental black metal band.

[Paddyllfixit]

.....in my humble opinion, this masterpiece sets the benchmark for modern-day black-metal.

[Bucket101Proof]

Great review man. Very in depth and thoughtful. Kudos.

[Anytime99]

Third fav agalloch album after the mantle and pale folklore :P

[LouTheMetalhead]

WOAH! you do metal reviews?!?! AWESOME

[hellabunk]

Huaghm is pronounced Home. This review sucks, you don't know anything about black metal, hipster.

[JesusLoveMonster]

@hellabunk lulz yea agreed, liking musical genres that aren't associated with a stereotypical group that someone described you as in a youtube comment is toooooooootally lame. metAL!!1!

[DragoniumLight]

@hellabunk It's not "home", it's "hauhm". See: watch?v=nD301XwF0Lg

[deathspell237]

black metal album of the year. highly exceeds their past work. good review.

[LouTheMetalhead]

@deathspell237 Enslaveds album is pretty good too.... but for me, Black Metal album of the year goes to Carach Angren.

[deathspell237]

@LouTheMetalhead gotta disagree. too symphonic for me...

[nonserviamreviews]

BIG points for the Sun O))) shirt haha.

[slaw88]

SUN o)))))

[coheedguitarist]

Marrow Of The Spirit's pretty good, but it's somewhat lacking to me. Some great parts, some unmemorable ones. And I don't know any black metal fan who shuns these guys, tbh. Great review dude.

[RobbyWithNoIE]

so Anthony, is this basically your Black Future of 2010? :)

[Stigmatikk]

Agalloch's new album is great. :D

You should check out Solefald's new album Norrøn Livskunst. It's very weird avant-garde black metalish type stuff.

[lamentate07]

This ia good record, but i must say i'm really tired of metal bands working in all these post-rock influences. It's bad enough that metal got to this genre late in the proceedings---roughly around 2003/2004, when it was old hat in the indie scene--but it's just so stale to me now.

i expected more from this one, especially in 2010.

[islespatrick]

i can't take this review seriously 

[Razor745]

"FAIL AT LIFE!!!" Fuck man, epic video/review. Faved.

[Agilaz1989]

Sunn O))) shirt = instant win.

[Zackahrias]

They'll probably never top Ashes. Marrow of the Spirit is pretty amazing though. Not sure how you can compare this to Wolves in the Throne Room, but eh, to each his own. This probably is their most "black metal" release but it still barely falls into the genre.

Also, Into the Painted Grey owns face.

[ryomata]

agalloch is beautiful music

[TheEternalseeker]

when the new deadmau5 album 4x4=12 comes out on dec 7th maybe you could give it a listen. Thankx alot. just signed up to your page today and I have to say you have great taste in music. I actually saw a while ago a review you did of sunn o)))'s monoliths and dimensions and man you were right that album is on my top 10 list. It blew me away especially with the inclusion of attila on vocals.

[RobboElRobbo]

Oh and Marrow is probably my favorite album of 2010, if not Agalloch's best album to date. Just incredible.

[RobboElRobbo]

Wolves in the Throne Room is so awesome as well. 

[SmartAss462]

Their best so far. Absolutely outstanding. Unfolds with each listen. ESPECIALLY WHEN HIGH. But that goes without say. All music is great high!!

[Bagas]

I love that fail at life part;)

[StandardofPurity]

REVIEW TYPHOON'S HUNGER AND THIRST PLEASE! Pretty please.

[nazz3p]

amazing album

[yeastmyinfecti0n]

LOVE agalloch. was awesome.

[Jeijo1]

this is the best record I heard all year, and it was released in November, Agalloch is a TRUE winter band! The atmosphere, it really is in a league of its own. But, I wouldnt imagine this being released in the middle of summer for example. The white was perhaps more "summery", but I would like to see agalloch release a more "sunshine" filled record, not too much though hahahah

[pdude1911]

Great album, nice review. And let me guess, that was Earth or Sunn during that "FAIL AT LIFE" part? :-) Which track was that?

[mikeyfatstrings]

fffffffuuuuuuuuuuck, i want that shirt.

[TriEdge36]

Review Paracletus by Deathspell Omega plz.

[Metaalhoofdje123]

i was actually very disappointed by this album... i expected alot more from it.

idk, it just didnt do it for me...

[616TheBeast616]

@Metaalhoofdje123 definitely listen to it again. The first time I listened to it I felt the same thing. Upon the next listen, I had bought the disc and was able to hear it chronologically, with the lyrics, etc. And the experience was totally different. Now I love it.

It's definitely a grower, and very conceptional, so listen to it in order and with the lyrics if you can :)

[neoyorke]

Any chance The Body gets reviewed? Album: All the Earth's water turns to blood

[Beholderification]

This album melted my face off.

[StrangerAeon]

good rev indeed..of course in my point of view this kind of band needs MONTHS to be focused and embraced to be better comprehended

[iglumajor]

review the new inquisition plz!!!!

[EddieVH666]

8 uh oh thats getting up there gotta go check this album out and honestly I've heard only a couple of their songs not from this album but still I can tell there a great band and that this will probably be a pretty sweet record

[schink24]

You should do a track review of the newest Empyrium song 'The Days Before The Fall'! They somehow went back to their more Folk/Doom style of metal while keeping strong trace of their prespliyt-up Neofolk era, giving the song a nice twist. And as always with Empyrium the vocals are as great as they'll always be (although they let their harsh vocals out of this one). So I was wondering mr.Needledrop, what's your take on that song??

[felmotes]

"eerie old man vocal" just made me lol for realz

[billyjob73]

Adebisi Shank! There's some great music coming out of Ireland. Don't know if you were into it, but it's an album that's been on repeat since it came out this summer.

[MyEggIsBoiled]

Well if TheNeedleDrop did something on Agalloch I guess that's my cue that they deserve more attention than I give them.

I thought of a novel video idea, for your question of the week. Something along the lines of how your first impression of an album could be either amazing or terrible, and how that opinion could shift over a time of various influences coming into your life. I get that phenomenon quite often in my musical experience.

[macleodponeage]

No way... you could never FAIL AT LIFE...

[HollowContact]

My request is Deathspell Omega - Paracletus

[CorporateNothing]

Great review. Very educated, nuanced, detailed. I love this album, and it's definitely a grower. I did preorder this album, but I couldn't help but download this shitty 128kbps transcode that leaked a few weeks ago. Listening to a FLAC rip was a completely different experience for me. Beautiful music.

[Hermetiqa]

I loved it, like all of their material.

[h0peIs]

do a track review of the new Mogwai song Rano Pano

[BuerOfficial]

I wouldn't compare it to WITTR. WITTR is a lot darker and more forward than Agalloch, I see the similarities in the atmosphere, but it was a stretch to compare them. Also, I think Agalloch is pretty far from black metal, and it was a mistake to keep referencing them to the scene. Otherwise, pretty good review.

[huamanJR]

NEW A day to Remember review that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Wolfsblood6]

you should Review the new Ghost album "Opus Eponymous!" Occult rock from Sweden!

[nassuttaja2]

The howling vocal part on 'The Black Lake Nidstång' is definately the high point of the whole album for me. I think that the vocal style is a reference/tribute to Silencer /watch?v=z1zB5435iFA

[Nuncapitated]

You have provided another great album review, such an amazing album too.

[thirdeyedcitizen]

I think the dynamics are a bit off sometimes here. I really love this album, but thats it. Th guitars and drums are really upfront, wich creates a kinda shoegazey metal feel (wich I kinda like), but other than that I really like to hear the vocals more on this.

[mynameisgodihateyou]

At one point in thw whole album the vocals were rediculous. other than that it was enjoyable in a black metal way

[nilzardo]

@mynameisgodihateyou If you mean that part at about 7:20 into black lake nidstang, then I'll have to respectfully disagree with you. That was one of the most emotional vocal parts in any song I have ever heard. It feels good to hear John do something like that.

[SoSaysI9]

@nilzardo I agree entirely. It's probably my favorite single element on the entire album.

[Upr1s1ng]

I'm happy you mention Wolves in the Throne Room. Anything on the Southern Lord label is awesome.

[stevenmorrisEP]

Since this blog started getting super popular has anything about your listen habits changed? Do you ever feel music fatigued?

[theneedledrop]

@stevenmorrisEP Nah, I'm never music fatigued. I do, however, get physically fatigued from all the sleep I don't get from staying up late and working on TND, but I need to concentrate on managing my time a bit better, too.

[jtmeag4]

Hey i think it would be cool if you reviewed Reggie Watt's psychedelic comedy album "Why Shit So Crazy." That guy is extremely unique.

[Splintbro]

It would be really awesome if you could review the new kylesa album. If not, Girl Talk works just fine. Keep being awesome :)

[beirutistheshit]

the fail at life thing really scared me

[theneedledrop]

@beirutistheshit apologies. are you alright? do you need a doctor? :-S

[joeyrmn4]

Can't do it man. something about it just doesnt appeal. I DID listen to a few songs. vids are showing up again for me. i say next review is Girl Talk. keep on, Forever

[Kilgorin10]

oh btw it's pronounced how-um, the g is silent. C:

[theneedledrop]

@Kilgorin10 the g is silent!?!? uh...like al-oh-ock?

[Kilgorin10]

@theneedledrop no, not the band name - john haugm's name.

[andy92811]

older material is better for me.

[Lietuvaitis2]

Why don't you review the best album of 2009? John Frusciante - The Empyrean. Come on!

[theneedledrop]

@Lietuvaitis2 Because Fever Ray's self-titled album is actually the best album of 2009. Derp. Just kidding. :-P

[RayAndPES]

Review some "Million Young"

[pattonPwr]

can u please review the latest album by the Dead Letter Circus???

[earthless1990]

and again great review

[theneedledrop]

@earthless1990 thanks! :-)

[matthewdnielsen]

I'm interested to see if you would take the time to pick apart and review the new Girl Talk LP All Day

[theneedledrop]

@matthewdnielsen pick it apart in what way? like list every freakin' sample that runs throughout it? :-P

[2006Socrates]

Hey man can you please review Girls new EP "Broken Dreams Club". I heard It's pretty damn good, but I really wanna hear your thought on It! :) Please

[theneedledrop]

@2006Socrates that review will be up next week. :-)

[uphillracer]

Request: Dave Sitek - MAXIMUM BALLOON

should be interesting. but it it?

[beurksman]

HAHAHA IM VIEWER 666 FUCK YOUUUUU AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHA

Great review. I'm really digging this album.

[bryanthrow]

ugh.  this is hardly even music.

[cristoinhumano]

@bryanthrow It's better than music!

[Mezc0]

I fucking love this album. Almost certainly my album of the year for 2010.

[ibanez456189]

Girl Talk

[8bitprice]

Gorillaz - "Doncamatic" track review!

[lorezapocalypse]

How about reviewing Egyptrixx's Bible Eyes when it comes out?

[megagun56]

666 views \m/



[SnakesAndWorms]

666 views.... metal.

[Pretsal]

ALSO! This might be a bit too much to ask, but could you maybe tell us what album you will review next (if you know) to give time to listen to it (if theres a stream somewhere or something, *cough* or if we want to just download it *cough*)? The review is more enjoyable if we've already heard it.

[Pretsal]

Eh this album was recommended to me but I didn't get too into it and I got bored. Guess its just 2deep4me. Maybe I'll give it more listens. A factor was that I couldn't get it loud enough.

[weggles]

Don't review All Day. Review Ripple Rock by the Evaporators

[DavidGodd]

Nice shirt.

[20more1mores]

Girl Talk. All Day. Do It. do it.

[20more1mores]

Girl Talk.  All Day. Do It. do it.

[dieuhbeatus]

I can't wait for Panda Bear's new album. when it comes out you better review it

[teotastic]

YO ANTHONY

You should definitely review the new Kylesa album when you get the chance. It's huge.

[slyfan64]

girl talk review?

[Thesamofsam]

Thanks for the review Ant!!!!!! Can't wait for this AHHHHHHHHH!

[wintershadows]

I thumbed up for Cal!

[edibletalkingchairs]

FORGET the album you plan to review, look up VIRGIN STEELE THE BLACK LIGHT BACCHANALI it will please me

[thekingzo]

your tattoo reminds me of the "All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone" album cover.

[TheHoodedDemon]

This album is awesome..... pure awesome, there aren't enough bands out there that layer guitars so well

[theneedledrop]

@TheHoodedDemon it's true, it's true.

[scarletrobin]

Sticking to the "anything but Girl Talk" mantra... As to what you should review, I'd suggest either The Besnard Lakes Are The Roaring Night by the Besnard Lakes or the Sun Bronzed Greek Gods EP from Dom. Both released this year

[enyafreak2007]

I really like the folk/acoustic music on the track "Watcher's Monolith", so much that I might give the rest of the album a listen-although the song could have gone without that "Gollum" sounding vocal in the beginning. Hey Anthony, have you noticed that nearly all metal bands use a nature or fantasy themed album cover? (Just something I noticed) Please review the new Games LP "That We Can Play", I would be really happy if you did...thanks for the review :-)

[Pogobubba]

You should review the new Maserati album.

[theneedledrop]

@Pogobubba i should

[Pogobubba]

@theneedledrop is that a tentative promise or an obtuse statement

[bourgeoisdrum12]

hi good review haha cal anyways i have(i dont really know actully i think it may be over) and we have one album please review it i will have a download link soon thanks anthony your a great music reviewer because you dont just go with the crowd thanks ill post the download link soon

[Kubiak04]

I feel like I want to listen to this, but when I listened to sun and the long tracks make me feel (reluctant?) to listen

[PinkFloydrulez]

I definitely want to hear/read reviews for agalloch's other albums from you

[Napalm66]

Definitely one of the current Kings of the genre...

[ekuna91]

what was that subliminal thing at 2 18?

[dhi899]

@ekuna91 I think it says "Support tnd" tnd= The Needle Drop.

[theneedledrop]

@dhi899 yep