THE SERPENT & THE SPHERE

The kings of naturalistic metal are back, 4 years after ''Marrow of the spirit'' and the new album holds no surprises. The band still walks on the same musical road they alone created and defined 12 years ago with ''The Mantle''. Same ingredients: springing from black metal, sorrowful slow tempo metal, folk character, post rock/metal aesthetics, pagan philosophy. Quality is the word. Same taste: Delicious. The dish is served in a very clean and modern production which is a very impressive choice from the band. Most bands in Agalloch's style choose moody sounds. Agalloch obviously don't have any playing weaknesses to hide...

Though I don't believe they will ever release a mediocre record, it's obvious to me that their inspiration peaks have been reached in the past. After ''The Mantle'', Agalloch seem happy just to reserve persuasively their artistic personality, the musical and spiritual beliefs and the ideas this band stands for. So expect metal of extreme quality, expect music with deep roots and adventurous soundscapes that, yes, a progster may find enjoyable. Expect no masterpiece, too.