[karkus30]

I was browsing AMD yesterday and came across a recommendation for a Black metal band called Agalloch with an album titled Ashes against the grain.

Although the band name would lead you to the conclusion it was Swedish or Norwegian in origin it's actually an American band !

I have had a listen to a couple of tracks and although Im not in love with Black Metal, this sounds pretty good. Its worth bringing it to everyones attention because it fits in the Tool/Opeth/Porcupine Tree areas of musical performance while being part of the GSYBE style.

Please note, for those who dont know what Black Metal is..........what it is not is thrash style, monster vocal gargling.......its more about layered strings with heavier moments, very ethereal without resorting to Enya...so dont go throwing it out as a nono because you like Pink Floyd

[Floodedstatue]

Ah funny you should mention them Karkus, I'm currently listening to their album 'The Mantle' as I write. I would very much recommend Agalloch, there is something there for all fans of metal and/or progressive music. A mix of clean and darker vocals. Atmospheric, layered songs. Acoustic and heavy passages. Wonderfully constructed songs which flow to create an album/work/single entity. Excellent production values. I could go on.....

The album 'Ashes Against The Grain' is in my top 10 of the year and is highly regarded across the underground metal scene, as are their other releases. I would start with that album and if you like that then you'll definitely appreciate 'The Mantle'.

[krish]

Originally Posted by karkus30

Although the band name would lead you to the conclusion it was Swedish or Norwegian in origin it's actually an American band !

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agalloch#Name_origins:

Agalloch is the fragrant resinous wood of the Agarwood (Aquilaria agallocha) from which the band derives its name.

[karkus30]

This band are really beginning to grow on me. Bought the album and enjoyed it for a few spins then somehow forgot all about it. Looking around my collection for something new to play, out it came. Really beautiful music, sad, majestic, the vocalist is more of a ghoulish narrative than actual singing and it fits with the tempo of the songs. I cant stop humming two of the tracks.

[Wamphyri]

Gonna check these out...Like the Black Metal stuff...

[overkill]

Absolutely stony broke at the moment so it'll have to be October before I can get hold of that Album Karkus linked to. Sounds good though, will defo give it a whirl!

[karkus30]

Originally Posted by overkill

Absolutely stony broke at the moment so it'll have to be October before I can get hold of that Album Karkus linked to. Sounds good though, will defo give it a whirl!

Your always pleading poverty you will just have to cut back on your stylus destruction derby

[overkill]

Originally Posted by karkus30

Your always pleading poverty you will just have to cut back on your stylus destruction derby

Nah, It's the hours m8. Due to govt policy, and schools/college policy, people who teach anything but the core subjects, Maths, Science, and English (which are 'taught' far too early and hence kids are switched off by age 11) are surplus to requirements. The Arts, Humanities, Languages etc are all dead in the water as far as govt (and opposition) are concerned. Basically anything you can 'enjoy' as a subject, and worse that encourages analytical 'thought' (hey, you might vote for the 'wrong' party!), is no longer supported. No hours = no money I'm afraid.

If I bust this stylus (for real) then it's back to an AT95E the way things are going.........

..................and hence CD (or vinyl) buying is off the menu.

Right now my biggest wrangle is the anti-skate. I'm sure it's making the stylus pull more to the left (hand channel) than it should be! It's not a big deal I know, but you know how I stress!

[karkus30]

Originally Posted by overkill

Nah, It's the hours m8. Due to govt policy, and schools/college policy, people who teach anything but the core subjects, Maths, Science, and English (which are 'taught' far too early and hence kids are switched off by age 11) are surplus to requirements. The Arts, Humanities, Languages etc are all dead in the water as far as govt (and opposition) are concerned. Basically anything you can 'enjoy' as a subject, and worse that encourages analytical 'thought' (hey, you might vote for the 'wrong' party!), is no longer supported. No hours = no money I'm afraid.

If I bust this stylus (for real) then it's back to an AT95E the way things are going.........

..................and hence CD (or vinyl) buying is off the menu.

Right now my biggest wrangle is the anti-skate. I'm sure it's making the stylus pull more to the left (hand channel) than it should be! It's not a big deal I know, but you know how I stress!

Oh I do

You dont seem to have grasped the Governments whole plan. Now we have organic food and free range poultry it is necessary to replace intensive farming with battery humans to keep the balance right. This year it has turned into a right fiasco for anyone trying to make a difference, from Nurses, Teachers, Social and community groups and anyone in Business Support (my chosen interest).

[overkill]

Originally Posted by karkus30

Oh I do

You dont seem to have grasped the Governments whole plan. Now we have organic food and free range poultry it is necessary to replace intensive farming with battery humans to keep the balance right. This year it has turned into a right fiasco for anyone trying to make a difference, from Nurses, Teachers, Social and community groups and anyone in Business Support (my chosen interest).

Ain't that the truth. Sadly, as cretin Camerons recent shift to the right, and in particular his recent statements on primary education show, there's no relief in sight. One load of idiots in power, being opposed by an equally stupid bunch of chinless wonders - who set the ball rolling on the lack of trust in the Public sector in the first place. The 1988 & 92' Education acts and Majors 'making Civil servants answerable', which meant reams of red tape and having to justify your job each year, were the beginning of the end for common sense. God, there's no hope.............

But, on a lighter note, I have nearly finished copying my wifes vinyl to CD. It's been a mammoth undertaking, but I have (nearly) prevailed! She's listening to stuff now that's been gathering (literally) cobwebs for years. Including some stuff that I now think isn't half bad. Ashamed to admit it though I am.........

[karkus30]

Originally Posted by overkill

Ain't that the truth. Sadly, as cretin Camerons recent shift to the right, and in particular his recent statements on primary education show, there's no relief in sight. One load of idiots in power, being opposed by an equally stupid bunch of chinless wonders - who set the ball rolling on the lack of trust in the Public sector in the first place. The 1988 & 92' Education acts and Majors 'making Civil servants answerable', which meant reams of red tape and having to justify your job each year, were the beginning of the end for common sense. God, there's no hope.............

But, on a lighter note, I have nearly finished copying my wifes vinyl to CD. It's been a mammoth undertaking, but I have (nearly) prevailed! She's listening to stuff now that's been gathering (literally) cobwebs for years. Including some stuff that I now think isn't half bad. Ashamed to admit it though I am.........

In a sense I really hope that the government has a hidden agenda to collapse the health service, because if I thought for one moment they were really trying to improve it

Back on topic , sorta. What are you listening to that aint half bad ?

[overkill]

Originally Posted by karkus30

In a sense I really hope that the government has a hidden agenda to collapse the health service, because if I thought for one moment they were really trying to improve it

Back on topic , sorta. What are you listening to that aint half bad ?

Erm, *gulps*, I was err, surprised at erm, how good Bon Jovi's New Jersey and Keep the Faith LPs' are, and, err' how after all these years how REO Speedwagons Hi-infidelity stands up............. *hangs head in shame*

[karkus30]

Originally Posted by overkill

Erm, *gulps*, I was err, surprised at erm, how good Bon Jovi's New Jersey and Keep the Faith LPs' are, and, err' how after all these years how REO Speedwagons Hi-infidelity stands up............. *hangs head in shame*

thats made my day........on the other forum (which cannot ever be mentioned) we had a bit of an argument about classic rock (everyone took my comments too seriously and I just couldn't help myself). But during the ensuing mayhem one of the posters managed to trawl everyone of my posts and brought up an admission of liking Hi-infidelity and proceeded to take the Mick.........whooo hooo in your letter.....oohh hoo in your letter anyway I had to admit I was having a laugh at their expense. Its nice to know Im not the only one with those embarassing tell tale secrets

But Bon Jovi blimey overkill thats for those women inclined to be looking for a twin set and pearls .....Now dont go digging through my posts for any of my more shameful secrets

[overkill]

Originally Posted by karkus30

thats made my day........on the other forum (which cannot ever be mentioned) we had a bit of an argument about classic rock (everyone took my comments too seriously and I just couldn't help myself). But during the ensuing mayhem one of the posters managed to trawl everyone of my posts and brought up an admission of liking Hi-infidelity and proceeded to take the Mick.........whooo hooo in your letter.....oohh hoo in your letter anyway I had to admit I was having a laugh at their expense. Its nice to know Im not the only one with those embarassing tell tale secrets

But Bon Jovi blimey overkill thats for those women inclined to be looking for a twin set and pearls .....Now dont go digging through my posts for any of my more shameful secrets

I was actually quite impressed with how much Bon Jovi was trying to sound like Springsteen on those albums. They still had the cheesy, mass market numbers, but then, out of the blue come songs that Bruce would have been proud of. Both the lyrics and the musicianship was first rate. Took me by surprise tbh.

My most shameful musical secret............I will not reveal as even the kids diss me over it.