Pale Folklore

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Customer reviews

review by: date: 2009-03-28 rating:
Pale Folklore.
I figured it was probably about time that I tried to review something that Agalloch have written. I've been a fan of the band ever since I discovered the extremities of the metal genre, many years ago. The first slice of Agalloch that I had heard didn't come from this record, `Pale Folklore', but instead it came from `The Mantle'. When I first heard the sound that Agalloch project to the masses, like many others, I was hooked. This were a band beyond genres. This were a band that deserved every single piece of praise they got down the years. As I see it, Agalloch are probably one of THOSE bands. You know what I'm talking about. The type of band that received critisicism because of their popularity. To me, that's no reason to dislike a band, but it does occur. I think the urge to down rate a band because they've received a lot of praise can be quite tempting, even for me. However, it's unnecessary. Perhaps I'm being blinkered, but I simply cannot see a reason to ignore the fact that Agalloch are a talent bunch of musicians. br / br / br /Anyway, moving away from all the politics, `Pale Folklore' was a very inspiring record when I first heard it. I was experiencing the delights of being a teenager. Stuck in a rut. Unable to see a point in existence and then I found metal. Of course, I am exaggerating, but music has gotten me through many tough periods of my life. When there is no one to turn to, music is always there. An outlet for my emotions. Sometimes you find a band who can predict how you're going to feel, or produce a sound that typifies how you feel at that precise moment in time. When I first heard Agalloch, they were one of those bands. Their sound blew me away and several years on, `Pale Folklore' still has the ability to do that. The beauty of the album is something that shines through more now than ever. This is one of those cases whereby you can find something new each time you listen and it's amazing. It's very rare to find that in music, but when you do, it's something to hold on to. br / br / br /There has been some confusion behind Agalloch. No one truly seems to know what genre they fit in to. I've heard black, doom and folk inspired metal, as well as a number of other genres being mentioned. I myself have no idea what this is exactly, but there are times when that is irrelevant and this is one of those times. Agalloch manage to successfully fuse genres together so perfectly, that no one can really tell where one genre ends and another begins. The harmony behind the music is perfection. The sound is derived from so many places, that it's impossible to trace. With the inclusion of many different instruments too, it's difficult to brand this anything. For instance, Agalloch use piano sections to depict certain emotions. It's diverse. `Pale Folklore' is nothing short of extraordinary. Why? Because it takes aspects of many styles, blends them into one and the outcome is beauty from pain. Where there is desolation, there is beauty from it. br / br / br /Agalloch, to me, are a band that can portray images of desolation, and then take the listener beyond that into a place of beauty. This is done through a number of resources. Using two guitarists is important. The music is so diversely layered, that it is unparallel with anything else. One guitarist plays one stunning riff after another, whilst the other plays a striking riff over it, and then we have the underlying bass. The beautiful bass. It's low, dark and desperate. It's an instrument that mainly seems to depict the extremities of emotion. Take the bass on `Hallways Of Enchanted Ebony'. The bass is superb. The drums are very varied, much like the rest of the music. That includes tempo. The drums, for instance, play at various speeds. The double bass is used for a faster tempo, which shows Agalloch in a new light. br / br / br /Whilst the soundscapes rely heavily on the guitarists, as well as the bass, the keyboards are also on hand to create affective atmospheres with eerie backdrops. Agalloch are a very innovative band, in my eyes. The vocals are suggestive of this fact also. With music like this, the vocals are usually clean, but not here. With have some deathly almost whispered like vocals. They seem to be hissed out with venom, which offers a contrast to the beauty in the instrumental parts of the music. As Agalloch have evolved, clean vocals have more of a place, but this style also suit's the bands sound. In terms of highlights, Hallways Of Enchanted Ebony, As Embers Dress The Sky and The Melancholy Spirit are up there.

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review by: odysseyoffreedom date: 2005-09-25 rating:
Debut Albums Don't Get Much Better Than This!
As the title suggests, this is an amazing album. Agalloch, a three piece band from Portland, Oregan in the United States have produced a truly outstanding album in 'Pale Folklore'. It's a rollercoaster of emotions, from start to finish. pAgalloch are an Atmospheric Folk/Gothic/Doom Metal band. Each of these genre's can be spotted throughout the album. The songs range from atmospheric epic's to sombre and melancholy masterpiece's. Agalloch have a truly unique style, it's haunting and dark at times and it's beautiful and melodic at other times.pThis album contains a variety of vocals. From whispers, to clean vocals. From harsh shrills to female vocals. Distored guitar riffs to acoustic interlude's. There's something for everyone simply.pI must point out that every instrument and the vocals all fit perfectly together. It's simply not one horrible noise. Everything is clean and noticeable. pAll in all, this is a terrific album.


review by: date: 2001-06-26 rating:
Atmospheric and brilliant music...
Agalloch consists of four passionate americans who've created one of the most atmospheric and enchanting metal albums to date.Pale Folklore is their first offering and I hope it won't be the last. The band successfully combines accoustic and heavy guitars and the singer Haughm whispers passionately written lyrics. My only complaint is that the production is a little bit weak because this is their first album and the drums are somewhat buried under other instruments.But these little disadvantages cannot conceal the musical talent of this quartet and Pale Folklore is definately a must have for fans of atmospheric metal.

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