AGALLOCH — The White EP (review)

AGALLOCH — The White EP album cover EP · 2008 · Non-Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4.5/5 ·
Conor Fynes
'The White' - Agalloch (9/10)

It is rare to come across an extended play, or other 'shorter' work of music by a band, that I consider one of their most beautiful and profound acheivements. Such is the case with Agalloch's 'White EP' however. A stunning half hour of neo-folk brilliance, the band manages to perfectly capture their trademark aesthetic and mood, despite skirting their heavier musical roots.

Despite being a very stripped down and simple piece of music, Agalloch make sure use of the saying 'less is more.' While the music might be dismissed by some as mere 'ambience' and nothing more, each track has the ability to grab the attention with it's sonic grandeur and deceptively simple beauty. 'The White' (like much of the band's music) is a tribute to nature; the music and soundscaping actively showcasing what it must be like to be surrounded by an endless forest. Acoustic guitars are the order of the day here, although a number of other instruments (ranging from accordion to piano to a ceremonial goat horn) are used to give the music the added warmth and variety it would otherwise suffer without.

Tying the EP together with a concept of sorts, is a series of script excerpts from the 1970's cult horror film 'The Wicker Man,' in which several quotes spoken by actor Christopher Lee are used. While spoken dialogue in music can usually be annoying, things work very well here; bestowing upon the music, an unsettling, existential theme.

A beautiful piece of music, this is a perfect contrast to some of the heavier music the band has done. Although it may have a different sound than the typical black/doom metal the band has built a fanbase upon, there is still the quintessential voice of Agalloch resounding through each meloncholic note.
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