Agalloch broke up

Agalloch
photo by Veleda Thorsson

Sad news in the metal world today: Portland’s black/folk/etc metal greats Agalloch have called it quits. They write:

Following 20 years, 5 full length albums, many tours around the world, and numerous other recordings, John Haughm and the rest of the band (Don Anderson, Jason Walton, and Aesop Dekker) have parted ways. What the future holds for the separate parties remains undetermined. We collectively thank all of our fans across the world. There are also way too many other people to thank who made this band possible. You know who you are.

Agalloch were a consistently innovative band that never really felt like they were making a big deal about being innovative. They played with folk, ambient electronic textures, shoegaze, and classical elements, incorporating it all with a breathtaking organicity. They were effortlessly able to appeal to both die-hard metalheads and more mainstream listeners. They were challenging and accessible at the same time. Their live performances were long, detailed, and thrilling. They made black metal that was sad and beautiful, that was as steeped in the pastoral atmosphere of the rural pacific northwest as early Scandinavian black metal was steeped in its own icy, dark climate. They paved the way for Wolves in the Throne Room, Nachtmystium, Deafheaven, Vattnet Viskar, you name it. We’ll miss ’em.

The band’s last album is 2014’s great The Serpent & the Sphere. They also toured that year, and played NYC. Here’s pictures.

Stream The Serpent & the Sphere:

You can also catch Agalloch’s great drummer Aesop Dekker working with Vhol.

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