I'm just thinking for a new one man band, they definitely have potential.

As for the new Agalloch album. It's a mixed affair for me. I think the second half of the album is much better than the first half and they seem to really excel at their more ambient side whilst the heavier Black Metal sound they have becomes less interesting with each release and I think the band seem to put more effort into their mellow moments which is fine by me.

Thats funny you say that because my friend who is huge into Black.Death metal felt the same way. He compared them to porcupine tree actually, and stated how they were losing some of there Black metal roots.

This band is awesome, The Mantle is one of the best albums I own. Thanks JH for that rec a way back. Good call.

That video is good too.

From The Mantle:

ok so i had never even heard of these guys before everyone here started talking about this new album....and even there just downloaded it on a whim....and i love this album....i love the forest sounds and the mixture of folk with the black metal....i have to admit i thought this was their first album....after listening to the video you posted (Rezz) i think i really like the direction they are head compared to what they were

that Gallowbraid was really good too

Here's their new song/ EP. Sounds very much like what you heard on Marrow of the Spirit which I'm fine with because I really liked that album. Anybody else hear this yet?

One of my favorite bands. Agalloch has continued to be one of the few truly amazing progressive black bands out there along with Keep of Kalessin, Ceremonial Castings, Enslaved, and Isahn. When I saw them live over the summer, they played a ****ing 2.5 hour set. It was ridiculous.

I'm not much of a metal fan, and had been urged to listen to this band by a friend ever since Ashes Against The Grain came out. I never bothered, until this year. Man am I glad I did. This band are something else. Mantle and Ashes are both perfect in their own ways, and Pale Folklore would have been so much better with proper production.

I haven't given that most recent album a whirl, but have heard mixed things. Is it an enormous departure from the sound of earlier efforts? As good/worthwhile as Ashes Against The Grain? Any thoughts would be great.

I like Marrow of the Spirit even more than Ashes Against The Grain. So, yes.

They also have a brand new album called The Serpent & The Sphere coming out in May, so be on the lookout for that.