Pale Folklore Review
Band | |
---|---|
Album | ![]() Pale Folklore |
Type | Album (Studio full-length) |
Released | June 1999 |
Genres | Folk Metal, Atmospheric Black Metal |
Labels | The End Records |
Length | 1:02:10 |
Ranked | #26 for 1999 , #753 all-time |
Album rating : 91 / 100
Votes : 17 (3 reviews)
Votes : 17 (3 reviews)
July 26, 2024
Agalloch are a name carved into Metal legends at this point in time, iconic for their delves into Folky Post-Metal and ability to craft immense atmosphere. Their debut album “Pale Folklore” shows the band had not quite settled at their modern sound yet, but does that make the album any less strong?
The answer, at least for me, is a resounding no. There’s nothing in the way of Post-Metal here; in fact it’s Folk Metal in name only, stylistically being a hybrid of Blackened Gothic Doom more than anything else. Despite progressive and layered songwriting, most of the actual musicianship is quite simple.
Thankfully, the guitar leads crafted here are some of the most memorable in all of Black Metal, and that’s thanks to the strong Gothic Doom influence. Melancholic, melodic and simple, each song has at least one lead progression that is unforgettable. The rhythm section supports them with pillars of gloomy, repetitive chords and martial percussion, as well as some hidden but impressive basswork as well.
“Hallways of Enchanted Ebony” is the best display of their talent here, first posing the main motif as an acoustic melody over driven rhythm guitars, only for it to come back later in full glory as an electric lead. It even shows up again in the bass! One of the best guitar leads in Metal, I think. The lyrics throughout the album are beautifully somber as well, perfectly matching the atmosphere, and the vocals are a uniquely enunciated blackened call.
Beautiful, harrowing, poetic, and full of exquisite melodies. Should not be missed.
The answer, at least for me, is a resounding no. There’s nothing in the way of Post-Metal here; in fact it’s Folk Metal in name only, stylistically being a hybrid of Blackened Gothic Doom more than anything else. Despite progressive and layered songwriting, most of the actual musicianship is quite simple.
Thankfully, the guitar leads crafted here are some of the most memorable in all of Black Metal, and that’s thanks to the strong Gothic Doom influence. Melancholic, melodic and simple, each song has at least one lead progression that is unforgettable. The rhythm section supports them with pillars of gloomy, repetitive chords and martial percussion, as well as some hidden but impressive basswork as well.
“Hallways of Enchanted Ebony” is the best display of their talent here, first posing the main motif as an acoustic melody over driven rhythm guitars, only for it to come back later in full glory as an electric lead. It even shows up again in the bass! One of the best guitar leads in Metal, I think. The lyrics throughout the album are beautifully somber as well, perfectly matching the atmosphere, and the vocals are a uniquely enunciated blackened call.
Beautiful, harrowing, poetic, and full of exquisite melodies. Should not be missed.
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Track listing (Songs)
title | rating | votes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | She Painted Fire Across The Skyline - Part 1 | 8:35 | 90 | 2 |
2. | She Painted Fire Across the Skyline - Part 2 | 3:09 | 90 | 2 |
3. | She Painted Fire Across the Skyline - Part 3 | 7:09 | 90 | 2 |
4. | The Misshapen Steed | 4:54 | 87.5 | 2 |
5. | Hallways Of Enchanted Ebony | 9:59 | 96.7 | 3 |
6. | Dead Winter Days | 7:51 | 90 | 3 |
7. | As Embers Dress The Sky | 8:04 | 91.7 | 3 |
8. | The Melancholy Spirit | 12:25 | 95 | 4 |
Line-up (members)
- John Haughm : Vocals, Guitars & Drums
- Don Anderson : Guitars
- Jason William Walton : Bass
- Shane Breyer : Keyboards
10,214 reviews
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The Mantle Review (2002)
![level 21](/img2/m2-21.gif)
Dec 14, 2010 Likes : 3
미국 출신으로서는 드문 형태의 음악양식을 보여주는 Agalloch의 2집 앨범이다. 미국 음악하면 현재는 힙합이나 컨트리가 주로 생각나지만 이 앨범은 그러한 음악과는 동 떨어져 있다. 이렇게까지 쓸쓸한 노래가 미국에서 나왔다는 것이 미스테리하기만 하다. 메탈씬이 미국 음악계에서 이전... Read More
Pale Folklore Review (1999)
![level 4](/img2/m2-4.gif)
Jul 14, 2012 Likes : 1
이들의 대망의 1집이다 10년도 더 지난 99년에 발매된 앨범이다 내가 음악을 듣지 않은 시점과 맞아 떨어진다
그리고 음악을 다시 듣기 시작할즈음 2011년 agalloch를 알게 되었다
Atmospheric한 한없이 추운 겨울바람의 소리가 가득 담겨져 있고 둠이라기에도 무엇한 미묘한 프로그레시브성향... Read More
Pale Folklore Review (1999)
![level 21](/img2/m2-21.gif)
May 18, 2006 Likes : 1
미국출신 포크/둠메틀 밴드인 아갈로쉬 의 정규 1집 앨범이다.앨범을 들어보면 상당히 차갑고도 우울한 느낌이 나는데, 그 이유는 어쿠스틱 기타의 쓸쓸하고도 서정적인 연주와 겨울을 연상시키는 서릿발의 효과음 때문일것이다.이러한 둠적인 느낌은 주로 유럽계 익스트림(고딕/둠)밴드... Read More