PALE FOLKLORE

Lead by Vocalist/Guitarist/Drummer John Haughm, Agalloch started off as a black metal band that eventually evolved into some form of black metal/post-rock/gothic/folk band. Pale Folklore starts off like many albums by metal greats do; raw and underdeveloped. However, this is what separates Pale Folklore from it's other albums. This is their least appreciated album, but personally I like it better than The Mantle.

The She Painted Fire Across the Skyline trilogy opens up the album in a majestic way. Opening with a mysterious, repetitive guitar riff and natural sound effects, it then takes us through a wonderful experience. It is really difficult to describe the entire trilogy because it is a combination of many different styles.

The Misshapen Steed follows after to give us an interlude. Unlike the previous three songs, this song is very slow and symphonic. It almost feels like as if you are drifting into a dream world.

Hallways of Enchanted Ebony is a ten minute epic similar to the SPFATS trilogy and despite the great intro and outro, there are some parts in the middle that aren't as memorable. Unlike the trilogy, it does not keep your attention throughout the entire song.

Dead Winter Days and As Embers Dress the Sky are the more traditional songs on this album. Both last at about eight minutes and manage to keep your attention throughout the song (WARNING: The end of Dead Winter Days has random piano chords come out of nowhere. These are an actual part of the song. It will catch you off guard if you don't know about it.)

The twelve minute epic The Melancholy Spirit, is a wonderful mix of ambient, folk, gothic, and metal all mixed into one.

I highly recommend this album to anyone who is a fan of folk metal or enjoy Opeth.