Agalloch -
The Serpent & The Sphere (2014)
I agonized over whether nor not I wanted to put this in here because I figured I couldn't convey why this album doesn't work as an album, but does work as a collection of Agalloch songs. Basically, if you enjoyed the more post-rockish elements found in 2010's
The Mantle and the Spirit then you will definitely find a lot to take away from
The Serpent & The Sphere. If you were hoping for more metal, well it's still here, it's just not utilized in a way that rewards instant gratification.
The Serpent & The Sphere sounds more like it's a collection of Agalloch songs, without any semblance of order or structure, which is something I always assumed the band strived for some idea of "completeness" with their albums, and this just lacks it. The songs are individually good at best, or boring at worst, but there's really nothing here that stays with you.