Not only is Agalloch from Portland, OR their music (especially this album) is absolutely packed with Portland references. The "pale companion" referenced in this song is Mt. Hood in whose shadow Portland resides, the song "The Lodge" references Timberline Lodge which is on Mt. Hood, and the track "The Hawthorne Passage" references the Hawthorne Bridge right in the heart of Portland and even includes audio samples of traffic on the bridge. Further, the cover art is literally a photo of the Thompson Elk Statue in downtown Portland. The albums themes, in this song especially, reference the deep melancholy of living at the edge of wilderness and a yearning to connect with it, spiritually, while being forced to exist in a world driven to divorce itself from nature. As a Portland native myself, I deeply sympathize and this song makes me incredibly homesick. I was fortunate enough to catch Agalloch's first ever live performance at Berbati's Pan (for a mere $7) and I can hear Portland in every note.
It is easy: If you do not have a certain, peculiar, weird little string in your soul, nothing of this will resonate. Ever. But if you do, you will return to these 15 minutes of epic melancholy. Again and again. And yes, listening to this while hiking through snow-covered forests does help as well…
How in satans glorious name have I missed out on this band? This was awsome, need too look in to the discography ASAP! Tanks for an awesome vid and a really good tip! ❤️❤️🤗
What a pleasant surprise! I’ve been listening to Agalloch for about 20 years now and they are still my go to band when the cold winter months come along. Very atmospheric.
This band is something I discovered because of Opeth like 15 years ago but it's at the same something very different. It's really a music you can reflect to, especially with the nature/human themes they have. Also in this fall and winter seasons, just a perfect soundtrack. Very meditative in a way. I turn on their Falling Snow song each time there's first snow for about 15 years now:) That's my personal tradition along with The Doors' Summer Almost Gone at the end of August lol.
As usual, a little bit of metal history to add some context. It started in Norway in 1995, where a relatively unknown band named Ulver published their debut Bergtatt, a previously never heard mix of black metal and nordic folk telling the story of a lost girl in the woods being "taken by the mountain". Less than a year later, Empyrium from Germany also debuted with A Wintersunset..., expanding the sound towards doom metal with melancholic guitars and celebrating the wilderness through neofolk interludes. Curiously, both bands will later abandon their metal roots completely, the former becoming an electronic trip hop ensamble, the latter going full neofolk. Agalloch took the torch and kinda ran with it, adding their peculiar brand of post rock repetitions, spacey soundscapes and morose musings. These three bands basically created a whole subgenre of extreme metal, one that fits long, lonely walks in the mountain woods like a wonder.
Thanks for doing this one Lauren! You really are the best. This song does mean a lot to me and I'll leave it at that. While I was hoping that you would like the song, I am glad that you gave it a chance!
As an Opeth fan, I love Agalloch, also isn't the main singer (Juha?) also the lead on Swallow the Sun, and like 5 other similar bands? I love all of his bands. (Also shout out to his contributions on Trees of Eternity, and RIP Aleah).
You would be surprised how many different bands there are out in the west, mountains states and the upper midwest that produce earthly pagan like metal. There is a band called Wayfarer that is black metal and themed around the early American west.
Surprised to see an Agalloch reaction here. They were an atmospheric black/ doom metal band. Katatonia (especially their early work) is also an influence on Agalloch. And I think there is a lot of crossover of fans between Opeth and Agalloch.
Agalloch's catalogue is incredible! this is definitely a great intro track for them. Someone also mentioned in a comment reply the band "Swallow the Sun" and I CANNOT endorse that band enough either. Anything from their album 'Emerald Forest and the Blackbird' is a great choice if you ever decide to jump into them!
OHHHHHH NOOOOO!! I can't believe you reacted to this song!!!! I love Agalloch so much, I actually have a 16 inches tattoo inspired by The Mantle, and had the chance of fangirling John Haughm when he came to Brazil in 2017. This song, actually this whole album, is a hell of a trip! A lot of emotions involved, that you finish it not knowing what actually went on and craving for more. My personal favorite from this album is ...And The Great Cold Death Of The Earth, such a gorgeous piece of music, that shaped my whole musical taste from then on I recomend listening to their first album: Pale Folklore. The whole thing is perfectly sewn together, in a way that listening to a random song from there, makes you wanna listen to the next, and to the next... (btw, if you enjoy this kind of post-rock vibes, I deeply recommend Alcest and Sylvaine, my biggest sweethearts!)
This album creeps up on you, the mix of harsh vocals and clean begin to sound completely natural after a few listens. It’s really a very folkish album underneath it all. I had this cd in my car for nearly a year. Beautiful, really.
That was very interesting. I'm not sure it's for me, but I didn't hate it. I felt like the demon sounded very young, at times. Baby demon versus ancient demon. I heard some 80s guitar sounds. It was definitely interesting. I think the intro was too long, though. I hope you're having a great week. : )
Hadn't heard them before, chill sound :) Still think you should check out Countless skies from Be'lakor, just demon there so will need lyrics :P Really any song from Stone's reach, the whole album is about mortality and legacy. Otherwise the song An embers arc is also brilliant. Oh, and since you weren't so fan of the My dying bride, you could check out Paradise lost, same vein, but more conventional (though still unique) sound. Can recommend Darker thoughts from their latest album or Sun fading from their self-titled album or Ash and Debris from In Requiem. Lots of good stuff from them, but they've changed styles a lot through the years, so you never know what you're gonna find if you go in blind :) Can't recommend any happy music I guess, it's beyond me :P
Although Ashes Against the Grain is my favourite Agalloch album, this is probably my favourite Agalloch song - on the subject of Post Metal, I would also suggest Cult of Luna, The Ocean Collective, and Harakiri for the Sky - also please do Borknagar for epic multi-vocalists!
Is there any way you could do a song by Bullet for my valentine? "The Poison" is my fav album from them would be nice to get your opinion on some songs, anyway love the vids keep up the good work
Vocal style is basically black metal even if it is fairly softly whispered and not as harsh as it could be, guess what you call "demon" in Opeth would be standard death metal growling. Also with the more atmospheric songs / albums (like this being atmospheric folk metal) it's always hard to form an opinion without listening to the whole album for a few spins - the context often matters. If you are venturing more into black / death / doom metal it could be a fun journey, it looks like you been listening to more new things recently. Not sure how often you do recommendations from the comments but if you need some songs from those 3 genres specifically and preferably underground I would have some in mind.
Agalloch is a cool band, but I feel like this is literally their most overrated song. Anything from Pale Folklore, Ashes Against The Grain the album but also the song suite is pretty good, Black Lake Nidstang is one of my favorites from theirs, so many atmospheres in this song alone. YOu might like some Doom as well: Bands like Doom:Vs, Khemmis, Swallow The Sun, Katatonia, Ahab... a little like Opeth sometimes, you have the Demon and some melancholy...
Cult of fire profile pic and knows what he is talking about - checks out! For doom metal I would really like a reaction to any song from the first Reverend Bizarre album.
@@warlordwossman5722 it is funny, I have been getting a lot of shit for my pfp Pic on TH-cam, accused of being a poser and whatnot and everyone mentions cof but never the actual content of the image being kali. Fascinating how so many bands get recognized by their art. I mean makes sense of it s a mascot like rattle head, Eddie or a logo, but imagine a famous painting for example getting recognized for the music instead of the original artist. No one asks me if I am Indian or hindu cause of kali (spoilers I am not, jus really like the artwork but also concept of the terryfying mother superior that is Kalu... Sort of). Can only second reverend bizarre, another great band. Maybe some trouble, witchfinder general, we could even go the Christian metal route with a band like wytch hazel
@@Luemm3l yeah sometimes taking a deep dive into artworks is nice. Witchfinder General is a great band, love their first 2 albums a lot. Trouble decent too.
Mantle is probably the best album to listen to while u take a walk outside and is snowing
Whenever fall comes and the sky turns gray and it starts to rain, becomes the go to commute record.
Not only is Agalloch from Portland, OR their music (especially this album) is absolutely packed with Portland references. The "pale companion" referenced in this song is Mt. Hood in whose shadow Portland resides, the song "The Lodge" references Timberline Lodge which is on Mt. Hood, and the track "The Hawthorne Passage" references the Hawthorne Bridge right in the heart of Portland and even includes audio samples of traffic on the bridge. Further, the cover art is literally a photo of the Thompson Elk Statue in downtown Portland.
The albums themes, in this song especially, reference the deep melancholy of living at the edge of wilderness and a yearning to connect with it, spiritually, while being forced to exist in a world driven to divorce itself from nature. As a Portland native myself, I deeply sympathize and this song makes me incredibly homesick. I was fortunate enough to catch Agalloch's first ever live performance at Berbati's Pan (for a mere $7) and I can hear Portland in every note.
Interesting. I always thought the Pale Companion was death following them as they're seeking god and meaning in life.
It's poetry. Surely a thing can be more than one thing. :)
YES Agalloch! Love the atmosphere in this album!
The whole discography of Agalloch its amazing. I would strongly recommend Dead winter days or Falling snow, You will not regret it...
This was the last thing I expected you to upload today, super stoked to see this!
It is easy: If you do not have a certain, peculiar, weird little string in your soul, nothing of this will resonate. Ever. But if you do, you will return to these 15 minutes of epic melancholy. Again and again. And yes, listening to this while hiking through snow-covered forests does help as well…
How in satans glorious name have I missed out on this band? This was awsome, need too look in to the discography ASAP!
Tanks for an awesome vid and a really good tip! ❤️❤️🤗
What a pleasant surprise! I’ve been listening to Agalloch for about 20 years now and they are still my go to band when the cold winter months come along. Very atmospheric.
One of my favorite for a long time. Thanks for reacting.
Naturally, your next Agalloch’s reaction has to be “You Were But A Ghost In My Arms”.
Greetings from Chile 🇨🇱
Ooh ooh try Black Lake Nidstang 😀😀😀
This band is something I discovered because of Opeth like 15 years ago but it's at the same something very different. It's really a music you can reflect to, especially with the nature/human themes they have. Also in this fall and winter seasons, just a perfect soundtrack. Very meditative in a way. I turn on their Falling Snow song each time there's first snow for about 15 years now:) That's my personal tradition along with The Doors' Summer Almost Gone at the end of August lol.
As usual, a little bit of metal history to add some context. It started in Norway in 1995, where a relatively unknown band named Ulver published their debut Bergtatt, a previously never heard mix of black metal and nordic folk telling the story of a lost girl in the woods being "taken by the mountain". Less than a year later, Empyrium from Germany also debuted with A Wintersunset..., expanding the sound towards doom metal with melancholic guitars and celebrating the wilderness through neofolk interludes. Curiously, both bands will later abandon their metal roots completely, the former becoming an electronic trip hop ensamble, the latter going full neofolk. Agalloch took the torch and kinda ran with it, adding their peculiar brand of post rock repetitions, spacey soundscapes and morose musings. These three bands basically created a whole subgenre of extreme metal, one that fits long, lonely walks in the mountain woods like a wonder.
Empyrium is back to black metal with their latest album from last year. Also, in this specific style these days, Vvilderness is among the very best.
Thanks for doing this one Lauren! You really are the best. This song does mean a lot to me and I'll leave it at that. While I was hoping that you would like the song, I am glad that you gave it a chance!
Traveling Alone by Woods of Ypres is one you should listen to sort of similar to Agalloch.
I definitely second that! Wood Of Ypres sounds to me like the loving child of Type O and Agalloch. Love those guys!
As an Opeth fan, I love Agalloch, also isn't the main singer (Juha?) also the lead on Swallow the Sun, and like 5 other similar bands? I love all of his bands. (Also shout out to his contributions on Trees of Eternity, and RIP Aleah).
Nope, all the members of Agalloch are American.
@@futurebreedmachine9302 yup just looked it up. I guess I got confused. Great bands nevertheless.
We need some "Swallow the Sun" love in this channel
The Mantle is the best music album I have ever heard.
Oh yeah, just starting the video but I'm going to say, as much as I like most of the bands on your channel this one is special.
WHOAAAAAA! One of my favs for sure.
this song is featured on one of the best albums in history. The Mantle. Please check it out. You will not regret it.
Agollach is a really good listen. I was blown away the first time I heard this album. Late fall/winter is the perfect time to hear it.
nooo it was Pale Communion by Opeth! not Pale Companion hahaha 😋
Nice reaction.
If you wanna give Agalloch a second try and want a more "palatable" song, you should try "Limbs" or "Falling Snow".
I love Agalloch. A great band from Portland, OR.
You would be surprised how many different bands there are out in the west, mountains states and the upper midwest that produce earthly pagan like metal.
There is a band called Wayfarer that is black metal and themed around the early American west.
Surprised to see an Agalloch reaction here. They were an atmospheric black/ doom metal band. Katatonia (especially their early work) is also an influence on Agalloch. And I think there is a lot of crossover of fans between Opeth and Agalloch.
First time listen and it’s not bad but have to check out more of them
These guys epitomize the Pacific Northwest forest vibe in the winter (they're from Portland, OR)🌲🌧😭🏔🖤
Hell yea agalloch
Agalloch's catalogue is incredible! this is definitely a great intro track for them. Someone also mentioned in a comment reply the band "Swallow the Sun" and I CANNOT endorse that band enough either. Anything from their album 'Emerald Forest and the Blackbird' is a great choice if you ever decide to jump into them!
OHHHHHH NOOOOO!! I can't believe you reacted to this song!!!!
I love Agalloch so much, I actually have a 16 inches tattoo inspired by The Mantle, and had the chance of fangirling John Haughm when he came to Brazil in 2017.
This song, actually this whole album, is a hell of a trip! A lot of emotions involved, that you finish it not knowing what actually went on and craving for more.
My personal favorite from this album is ...And The Great Cold Death Of The Earth, such a gorgeous piece of music, that shaped my whole musical taste from then on
I recomend listening to their first album: Pale Folklore. The whole thing is perfectly sewn together, in a way that listening to a random song from there, makes you wanna listen to the next, and to the next...
(btw, if you enjoy this kind of post-rock vibes, I deeply recommend Alcest and Sylvaine, my biggest sweethearts!)
Better than opeth at times
They have a vast catalog. Maybe Black Lake Nïdstäg?
Folkloric black metal! About time you dived into this genre lol
To call this song black metal is a stretch.. 😅
@@thathorridthing yeah it's much more atmospheric folk metal with a black metal style vocals.
Awesome band that sadly has been splitted up already.
Try "Limbs" or "Falling Snow" from their "Ashes Against the Grain" album... A total masterpiece.
Falling snow is a great Agalloch song! give it a go..
This album creeps up on you, the mix of harsh vocals and clean begin to sound completely natural after a few listens. It’s really a very folkish album underneath it all. I had this cd in my car for nearly a year. Beautiful, really.
I've been aware of this band for quite a while, but never gave them a listen. I'm going to have to dive in now!
One of my top 3 bands
That was very interesting. I'm not sure it's for me, but I didn't hate it. I felt like the demon sounded very young, at times. Baby demon versus ancient demon. I heard some 80s guitar sounds. It was definitely interesting. I think the intro was too long, though. I hope you're having a great week. : )
My sentiments exactly
Zone out to this song often. Thank you.
Try listening to the whole album. It's a journey.
Smoke a joint and drift off into the music
Hadn't heard them before, chill sound :) Still think you should check out Countless skies from Be'lakor, just demon there so will need lyrics :P Really any song from Stone's reach, the whole album is about mortality and legacy. Otherwise the song An embers arc is also brilliant.
Oh, and since you weren't so fan of the My dying bride, you could check out Paradise lost, same vein, but more conventional (though still unique) sound. Can recommend Darker thoughts from their latest album or Sun fading from their self-titled album or Ash and Debris from In Requiem. Lots of good stuff from them, but they've changed styles a lot through the years, so you never know what you're gonna find if you go in blind :)
Can't recommend any happy music I guess, it's beyond me :P
Although Ashes Against the Grain is my favourite Agalloch album, this is probably my favourite Agalloch song - on the subject of Post Metal, I would also suggest Cult of Luna, The Ocean Collective, and Harakiri for the Sky - also please do Borknagar for epic multi-vocalists!
Check out Seventh Void "Heaven is gone", it's Type O Negative after Peter died
A Pale horse Named Death is another group exclusively made up of Type O members
Not unlike the waves, Falling snow please ❤
You look like my mom when she was younger.
Is there any way you could do a song by Bullet for my valentine? "The Poison" is my fav album from them would be nice to get your opinion on some songs, anyway love the vids keep up the good work
Chevelle Joyride
Vocal style is basically black metal even if it is fairly softly whispered and not as harsh as it could be, guess what you call "demon" in Opeth would be standard death metal growling.
Also with the more atmospheric songs / albums (like this being atmospheric folk metal) it's always hard to form an opinion without listening to the whole album for a few spins - the context often matters.
If you are venturing more into black / death / doom metal it could be a fun journey, it looks like you been listening to more new things recently.
Not sure how often you do recommendations from the comments but if you need some songs from those 3 genres specifically and preferably underground I would have some in mind.
Agalloch is a cool band, but I feel like this is literally their most overrated song. Anything from Pale Folklore, Ashes Against The Grain the album but also the song suite is pretty good, Black Lake Nidstang is one of my favorites from theirs, so many atmospheres in this song alone. YOu might like some Doom as well: Bands like Doom:Vs, Khemmis, Swallow The Sun, Katatonia, Ahab... a little like Opeth sometimes, you have the Demon and some melancholy...
Cult of fire profile pic and knows what he is talking about - checks out! For doom metal I would really like a reaction to any song from the first Reverend Bizarre album.
@@warlordwossman5722 it is funny, I have been getting a lot of shit for my pfp Pic on TH-cam, accused of being a poser and whatnot and everyone mentions cof but never the actual content of the image being kali. Fascinating how so many bands get recognized by their art. I mean makes sense of it s a mascot like rattle head, Eddie or a logo, but imagine a famous painting for example getting recognized for the music instead of the original artist. No one asks me if I am Indian or hindu cause of kali (spoilers I am not, jus really like the artwork but also concept of the terryfying mother superior that is Kalu... Sort of). Can only second reverend bizarre, another great band. Maybe some trouble, witchfinder general, we could even go the Christian metal route with a band like wytch hazel
@@Luemm3l yeah sometimes taking a deep dive into artworks is nice.
Witchfinder General is a great band, love their first 2 albums a lot. Trouble decent too.
Boring . This?? After Opeth , Tool and Slipknot ??