THE MANTLE

The solemn, cold darkness that formed the core of Agalloch's 1999 debut release Pale Folklore has blossomed into something far more universal. The irreverent storm of vexatious, hopeless pleadings to a pitiless majority now channeled through sparse chromatic arrangements of a more seamless flow. The elaborate structural formations have been treated with an increased level of patience, giving the musical elements additional breathing capacity. Yet the most conspicuous component of The Mantle is its reflection of natural human development in response to effects of environmental surroundings.

The Mantle is reaction to modern existence within a culture that breeds emptiness and has developed an increasing disregard to the beauty and power of nature. Agalloch have observed in disenchantment the acts of humanity in such a climate and turned their gaze towards the within. In this form, the search for true personal meaning, striving for truth within one's self in a world of deception, is directed towards the spirit, the core of the self. This reflects in the lines ".it washed away in a tide of longing....a longing for a better world." ("In The Shadow Of Our Pale Companion") and "It is this grandeur that protects the spirit within, from the plight of this broken world." ("I Am The Wooden Doors"). The soul of The Mantle is at extreme odds with present cultural conditions, and formulates itself against this virus in a highly intellectual and emotionally powerful portrayal. However, in the midst of this personal empowering through inner discovery, The Mantle succeeds not in escaping the often cruel effects of human interaction. Desperate and bitter responses to the usual factors of betrayal and abandonment lurk within "You Were But A Ghost In My Arms" and "A Desolation Song". Indeed, the very existence of The Mantle, and Agalloch, depend upon these instances. However, the maturation of these individuals is strikingly clear throughout the duration of this album. No longer entirely consumed with emotional frustrations and misunderstood spiritual complexities, a search has begun for universal meanings while reluctantly acknowledging their existential burden.

At its core, this remains a melancholic and bitter work. It is music of autumnal essence and wintry isolation. Yet, unlike previous efforts, The Mantle recognizes tranquility as a realistically achievable plateau. Interestingly, however, is that these moments remain relegated to instrumental passages, particularly "Odal", "The Lodge", "The Hawthorne Passage" and vocal-less events within "In The Shadow Of Our Pale Companion" and "You Were But A Ghost In My Arms". This could symbolize more about vocalist/guitarist John Haughm's development as an individual; a reaching for tranquil horizons, yet the desire remains silent within him by his own defenses crafted from worldly threats to the emotionally vulnerable.

Consistent with previous works, Agalloch once again express, through all facets of their art, a deep appreciation and reverence for nature. The elk statue that graces the cover symbolizes their affirmation. Through the beauty and splendor of nature, Agalloch have found something to believe in, a vindication for being. As this creature has become something of a mascot for the act, they have found truth and purity in the ways of nature, something to hold onto as humanity apathetically bring to ruin all that is sacred, shattering pure faith. As mankind continues to technologically progress and the ever-increasing emphasis of social status feeds superficial endeavors, nature has become the sufferer. Agalloch, in their plight to sever themselves from an afflicted species, have wholly embraced what humankind seemingly strive to destroy.

The musical accompaniment to these themes is nothing short of astounding. Agalloch have delved deeper into a broader range of sonic elements to enrich their overall expression in quite a fascinating display. The role of acoustic guitars has increased, not necessarily in abundance, yet rather in their significance to not only individual tracks, but the album as a whole. The inclusion of woodchimes, ebow, trombone, contra bass, accordian, mandolin and even found instruments such as the "grim cymbal bell" and "deer antler percussion" splendidly enhance the expressional shades within Agalloch's music. The metallic currents remain intact throughout, yet no longer can be recognized as the band's sonic foundation. "I Am The Wooden Doors" and "You Were But A Ghost In My Arms" exemplify these aspects, bitterness and melancholy entwined in cold distance, not in limitation of the music, yet also rendering itself vocally. Hauhgm's predominately monotone "clean" vocal, used to greater effect here than on past works, portrays the more reflective, thoughtful yet no less compelling features of Agalloch's evolvement as musicians and individuals. The wretchedness expressed through the bitter vocal shrieks present the agonized emotions vital to the essence of their sound and appeal. It's a presentation of the struggle between harmony and chaos that is the occupation of human experience. The results are spellbinding.

The sonic template here stretches beyond the surface chromatic minimalism. A linear foundation does exist for much of this material, yet this factor does not set limitations for elaborate thematic or musical ideas. Lengthy instrumental passages are frequent, with vocals, although no less a significant component, less of a focal point. The album's first twenty-six minutes, in the shape of 1. "A Celebration For The Death Of Man", 2. "In The Shadow Of Our Pale Companion" and 3. "Odal", is a movement that, upon the arrival of it's finale, leaves the listener simultaneously mentally/emotionally/spiritually overwhelmed and cleansed. The acoustic based intro, complete with "call to arms" percussion, acts as portal into this dimension, setting the affective tone for the following proceedings. "In The Shadow Of Our Pale Companion" is a 14-minute plus journey through bleak inner landscapes, the transcendental guitar leads providing glimpses of the sunlit horizon in the distance. Not so much a song as a deeply moving life experience in sonic shape, equally life affirming and despondent. The 7-minute plus instrumental "Odal" removes the listener from desolate wastelands, guiding through tranquil pathways divided by the splendor of dawn and caress of dusk. Excellent guitar ambiance ignites into a release of Earthly burden, a deliverance from blackness into the abode of inner bliss, then drifts into plaintive serenity. "Odal" is a breathtaking work of art and a monumental musical statement.

Thrust into this world on the condition of our ultimate and inevitable death, we are left to question the meanings, or the existence of meanings, within everything that surrounds us. We ponder our purpose here and seek to develop higher understandings of our environment. Reactions are developed towards the functions of the world, relations with other people and the humbling knowledge that we are ever one breath closer to our last. Life in this world can be a cold, unforgiving and bleak journey. We can take what we can from this place, utilize our methods for our own devices, or we can submit to the burden of existence, fall in line with the spirit-draining structure of society until we meet our death afraid and alone, blinded in the façade of warmth and compassion. We can wallow in the misery of life, shroud ourselves in impenetrable darkness and await life's end, arms open as if to embrace the shadows of expiration as a gift of deliverance. We can let ourselves out, escape the wretchedness, the pain of living, the horrors of a new day. The Mantle, even through its grey-spirited dejection and distressed weight, portrays this quest for meaning, the search for true belief. The unbearable conditions of existence cannot be escaped. However, we can get through by finding something to believe in, something to hold onto, to reaffirm our faith. On The Mantle, Agalloch have turned to self-preservation and nature's grandeur.

The Mantle is a deep, ambitious, penetrating work of art. It does not cater to the impatient or to those intimidated by emotionally compelling, thought-provoking artistic expressions. This is music with purpose, a prime display of a beautifully constructed album possessing the ability to dramatically alter the listener's mental and emotional state during the experience. It is music of high quality, delivered through a rich collection of visions and intentions. The Mantle is a complete package, offering stimulation musically, as well as lyrically and visually. The stark design of the package, in grey, silver and black tones, effectively reflects the spirit of this music and lyrics. Each phase of this work flows seamlessly into the next, creating a continuous stream which takes this far beyond the standard song by song album. This is an experience in the truest sense, requiring no surrounding or threatening distractions, and full soul and mind immersion for it's entirety.

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