MARROW OF THE SPIRIT

Marrow Of The Spirit takes some listening to understand it's full beauty, just as many masterpieces before it. The album opens with some wonderful cello and nature samples before kicking full blast into, "Into The Painted Grey", hearkening black metal in an Agalloch way. "The Watcher's Monolith" is a wonderful piece that grabs back to the glory of their best album The Mantle, and twists it, making it new and refreshing. "Black Lake Nidstang" occupies the middle of the record and marks a grand opus of crushing doom. This song feature John shrieking in an almost punk/hardcore way, or like his contemorary John Gossard of Weakling fame. Indeed strange, but fitting right where it needs to along with excellent kraut- rock inspired Moog drones and delayed guitar. "Ghosts Of The Midwinter Fires" is another excellent song, done in the Agalloch way. The closer "To Drown" closes the album in a serene fashion. In all, Marrow Of The Spirit is the next logical stage for Agalloch. They have grown to hold such a cult following, but now may have stepped out of the underground in a weird space between being no one and famous.