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Most people listen to a certain genre of metal by what mood they are in or what mood they are trying to get into…

• Power/Pure Metal = Happy, upbeat
• Death Metal = Mad
• Black Metal = Pissed at the world in general
• Thrash Metal = Ready to beat the crap out of someone
• Doom Metal = Depressed
• Etc Etc Etc...

If this is the case for you then Agalloch’s new album is something to listen to in a relaxed state of mind… A time when you can really focus on the music and everything that is going on within it.

This album is very complex as are other Agalloch albums but I think they have even topped themselves on this one. There is just so much going on within the confines of one song it is impossible to grasp it all through just a few spins of the disc (Those with short attention spans need not apply… heh). The songs are very Opeth-esque in feel. That is to say they are long as well as flooded with the use of dynamics. Contrasting the styles of instruments which include Electric guitars, 6 and 12 string acoustics, classical guitar, mandolin, accordion, bells, and synths as well as probably a half dozen others that I have forgot to mention. These contrasts blend together extremely well and never seem to come of as pretentious. The vocals also range from clean to a black metal style screech and everything in between. Most of the songs are mid paced or slower with a almost doom undercurrent included.

Overall a perfect album for that relaxed type feel you get every once in a while and another QUALITY release from The End Records. These reviews are starting to look like we are getting paid from The End to say nice things since every album as of late has gotten a good review, but trust me when I say that these guys just know how to sign killer bands… :) HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.