Album Page: Agalloch - Ashes Against The Grain

I don't really know what to think of this album... the band continues on the same post metal sound, this time less bleak and repetitive than on The Mantle, and the music is really good here... but unfortunately the vocals are horrible. There are less clean vocals, and when the singer uses harsh vocals (that is on every track except the three instrumentals), it's unfortunately some really ugly gurgling voice...

The crowning achievement of Agalloch's career.

I must admit that at one point I disliked or, to say it more precisely, didn't understand Agalloch's music. The musicianship seemed primitive to me and I found the songwriting lazy. Still, during those times I could feel that this is music that requires a certain approach, or perhaps I was into different aesthetics at the time and it wouldn't impress me. My respect for the four musicians of this extraordinary group appeared when I re-listened to Pale Folklore in summer, of all seasons. Was it the perfect time to listen to that specific album or had it just grown on me and clicked just then I can not say, but the fact is that the group's not so immense catalogue took an important place in my music diet. Their last album - The Mantle - was released in 2001, which was a long time ago, and it was intimidating that everyone would have to wait five years until the next ... -> show full review