ASHES AGAINST THE GRAIN

AGALLOCH's latest "Ashes Against The Grain" is heavier than "The Mantle" but there's still lots of atmosphere and they continue to use those sinsiter vocals with the clean ones. Something new is that Post-Rock flavour that crops up once in a while.

"Limbs" kicks in with drums and a full sound before a minute. It settles right down before 3 minutes then starts to build again a minute later. Sinister vocals after 5 minutes and a nice heavy sound. It settles again after 7 minutes then kicks back in. Sinister vocals follow. "Falling Snow" opens with a good heavy sound with prominant drums coming in. Some brief distorted guitar before the vocals arrive before 1 1/2 minutes. It kicks into a higher gear then settles back. Clean vocals after 3 1/2 minutes, sinister vocals follow. The tempo continues to change. "This White Mountain On Which You Die" is haunting with waves of synth-like sounds.

"Fire Above, Ice Below" builds slowly but it always stays releaxed. Clean vocals after a minute. It's more intense after 4 minutes though. Some Post-Rock styled guitar follows. Amazing sound before 9 minutes as the guitar lights it up. It sounds like waves and wind as it blends into "Not Unlike The Waves". It sounds incredible when it kicks in around a minute. It settles after 2 minutes but not for long. Clean vocals 3 minutes in. It settles before 6 minutes with some excellent guitar to follow. It kicks back in with sinister vocals. "Our Fortress Is Burning...I" opens with what sounds like a roaring fire in the background as the music sadly plays. Drums after 1 1/2 minutes. It settles 3 1/2 minutes in and blends into "Our Fortress Is Burning...II Bloodbirds". Drums come in quickly though to make a fuller sound. This sounds amazing ! Sinister vocals before 4 minutes cry out in anguish over what has happened. "Our Fortress Is Burning...III The Grain" is spacey to open before turning a little experimental with the loud noisy sounds. It settles somewhat but really there is no music on this track, it's a soundscape.

This is special music and it's easy to dismiss if not listened to in the right way and attitude. Still it's not for everybody.