siLLy puPPy After releasing the debut “Pale Folklore,” AGALLOCH started the trend of releasing EPs between their full-length studio albums. The second of these TOMORROW WILL NEVER COME emerged after the sophomore album “The Mantle.” However, instead of releasing one EP between “The Mantle” and “Ashes Against The Grain,” for some reason the band decided that two EPs would somehow be a good thing. Why? Since each one has only two tracks, the world will never know.

This one comes off more as a single than an EP. While the first EP “Of Stone, Wind, And Pillor” was 28 minutes in length, TOMORROW WILL NEVER COME consists of a mere two tracks that only last 7 minutes and 32 seconds. Hardly worth wasting resources over yet there were 500 copies that were initialed by Jason William Walton, so i guess a money making gimmick this was but in the end a really unnecessary addition to the AGALLOCH canon.

“The Death Of Man” (Version III) is nothing more than an alternative take of the famous introductory folk strumming that gracefully initiates “The Mantle” in all its glory. However, there is really nothing that great about this and only subtle atmospheric touches differentiate it from the original. After hearing this all i want to do is hear “The Mantle” and wonder why in the world this was released.

The second track, the title track is at least original and not found elsewhere. This is a nice dreamy folk track exclusively performed on acoustic guitar and shows a bit more classical guitar influence than the usual dark neofolk of AGALLOCH albums. While the guitar strumming is beautiful, the addition of field recordings in the form of a documentary don’t seem to fit in very well. This stylistic approach was originally desired for Don Anderson’s tenure in the band Sculptured but was rejected (for good reason.) This track also displays the massive influence the band Godspeed You! Black Emperor had on AGALLOCH’s post-rock aspects. The subtle freaky atmospherics that whiz by behind the folk guitar with the psychotic spoken ranting is right out of their playbook.

This is not an outstanding release. It is worth hearing for history’s sake but nothing redeeming at all. Only the second track is an original but nothing to write home about. A disappointing little tidbit following the band’s classic “The Mantle” and an obvious attempt to cash in on its unexpected popularity. For completist’s only.

The Angry Scotsman Probably an EP only for the collectors and die hard fans.

Of course, I am both of those!

The Death of Man(Version III) is the intro song from The Mantle "A Celebration for the Death of Man..." but with some slight synth additions. I do mean slight. I suppose it adds a subtle new touch to an already good song but not much here.

However, the title track is really an intriguing piece. A folky into that dives into another folk riff, but with samples taken from a movie Don Anderson saw about the mentally ill. The major part of it, a man talking to his father, rambles on progressively into fear and anger. Keep in mind this is not done by the band or some sample from a script. This was actually spoken by a real life person, which really adds to the impact when you realize this. My heart strings were pulled almost out of my body!

This is over the fairly nice sounding folk riff, and intriguing contrast. Add in an ominous noise that flutters throughout and some accordion and you have one very powerful track.

A good EP with one of the more interesting songs by the band, but also an unoriginal one that barely has some sprinkling on it. While not bad at all,(and it's not) certainly nothing very original. Probably best left for the die hards and collectors.

Two Stars

Conor Fynes 'Tomorrow Will Never Come' - Agalloch (N/A)

Alright, a pretty standard formula for a Singles EP; having a slightly different version of an existing track and some fresh material to entice the fanbase. Being a very limited EP, both in it's availability and material enclosed, it's obviously not essential in any way and anyone not familiar with Agalloch might not find this to be worthy of any note, but fans of Agalloch will at least find some appreciation here, worthy of a few listens.

The 'Death Of Man' alternate version doesn't change much, but instead adds some fresh ambient sound effects and keyboards towards the end of the track. Personally I don't find it too entertaining both in it's original and alternate incarnations, but always found it to be a fitting introduction to 'The Mantle.' Without the rest of that album (an utter master work in every sense) there's not much point.

The second track (and the one of more interest to fans) is the fresh song, 'Tommorow Will Never Come.' This, like the first track is more or less ambient, and it's something that hasn't quite been heard from the band before. There's still the trademark band sound, but there's some very eerie narration and atonal sounds in it that give it an experimental flavor. When things build up to the songs recurring theme, accordions kick in and there's some real dark folk beauty here.

If you have a chance to listen to the EP (especially the second track,) then give it a listen. Nothing here will ever blow your mind and it's a far cry from the quality of some of their full- length album material, but it's good for a few interesting listens nontheless.