After two demo releases in the late 1990’s the band released three full-length albums: Pale Folklore (1999), The Mantle (2002), and Ashes Against the Grain (2006). “The Mantle” has since been heralded as a classic for having been one of the first albums to combine elements from black metal, neo-folk, progressive rock, post-rock, and ambient music. The influence of this record can be heard in the music of multiple “post-black metal” bands.
In 2008 Agalloch began re-releasing their demos, B-sides, and EPs under their own Dammerung Arthouse label. In 2010 their fourth album Marrow of the Spirit made number one on numerous critic’s top ten lists. In between each of these full-lengths the band pushed on the flexible boundaries they had developed around themselves through a series of EPs that found the band experimenting with post-rock/instrumental rock (The Grey, 2004), neo-folk/psychedelic folk (“The White EP, 2008) and a mammoth twenty-minute epic work entitled Faustian Echoes (2012) released through Dammerung Arts. Their fifth and last full-length album The Serpent & the Sphere (2014) has continued to earn praise for solidifying the now identifiable sound of the band.
Agalloch earned a reputation for explosive and emotional live performances. They sold out tours across Europe and the US and played a variety of major international festivals including: Roadburn, Inferno, Ragnarok, Tomahawk, Noctis, Asymmetry Fest, Maryland Deathfest, Scion Fest and others. The band took special care constructing the environment of each and every show with wood, incense, and imagery taken directly from their home in the Northwest. Such care made an Agalloch show more than just a typical heavy metal concert.
However, on May 13th, 2016, Agalloch announced their disbandment.
Regarding the band's disbanding, John Haughm previously released the following statement regarding the status of Agalloch:
"After being inundated by a barrage of responses, I feel that I should clarify some things. I take full responsibility for the decision to part ways with the other guys. It was difficult, well thought-out, and something that had been culminating over the past couple of years. I simply could not continue any further with the band as it was. I had to make a change as my motivation and inspiration had started to completely deteriorate. Whether this is the permanent end of Agalloch altogether or a possible fresh start, I don't know. I probably won't know for awhile. The band has simply been reduced back to its founding, visionary member for the first time in 20 years. Beyond that, the future is unknown."
In 2019, Haughm made comments on Facebook widely criticized as being anti-Semitic, and the other members of Agalloch released a statement claiming, "We vehemently condemn our former bandmate and want to make it clear that none of us share his reprehensible viewpoints. We have not had any direct contact with him since the breakup nearly 3 years ago... We are not friends."
The band later reformed in 2023 "with the intent of playing limited shows."
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Discography:
Studio albums:
1999 - Pale Folklore
2002 - The Mantle
2006 - Ashes Against the Grain
2010 - Marrow of the Spirit
2014 - The Serpent & the Sphere
EPs:
1997 - From Which of This Oak (demo)
1998 - Promo 1998 (demo)
2001 - Of Stone, Wind and Pillor
2003 - Tomorrow Will Never Come
2004 - The Grey EP
2004 - Agalloch / Nest (split with Nest)
2008 - The White EP
2012 - Faustian Echoes
Compilations:
2008 - The Demonstration Archive 1996-1998
2010 - The Compendium Archive
Singles:
2004 - A Fragment (Second Phase)
2010 - Nebelmeer (split with Mathias Grassow)
2010 - Fragment 4
2010 - Scars of the Shattered Sky
2010 - Where Shade Once Was
2011 - The Death of Man III
2011 - The Wolves of Timberline
2013 - Nihil Totem
2013 - The Weight of Darkness
2014 - Alpha Serpentis (Unukalhai)
Ghosts of the Midwinter Fires
Agalloch Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In every room, behind every door
Peering through every window intho the past
Holding onto us in the bitterness of the mire
Leaving a trace of themselves in the spaces in which they hide
...but there are no ghosts here...
There are gods in the wake of every flame
The fire that betroths the coldness of the void
In every silence
Inside every root that reaches deep into the soul of the Earth
...but there are no ghosts here...
Shadows paint the dusk
Ghosts rise from the flames
To set alight in the fields
In robes of smoke and spirit aligned
The song "Ghosts of the Midwinter Fires" by Agalloch is an introspective and haunting piece that explores the themes of ghosts, gods, and shadows against the backdrop of winter. The lyrics capture the sense of deep isolation and melancholy that often accompanies the colder months, with the imagery of ghosts and shadows that seem to lurk around every corner. The first verse suggests that these ghosts are ever-present, hiding in every room and peering through every window into the past. They seem to be holding onto the singer and others, strengthening their grip in the bitter and desolate landscape of winter.
However, as the song progresses, a different tone emerges, which is one of hope and spirituality. The second verse shifts the perspective to that of gods, present in every flame that battles against the cold void. These gods are present in every wind, every tempest, and snowfall, and inside every root that connects deeply with the Earth. The message here is that even in the midst of the harshest conditions, there is still the possibility of finding a connection to something greater than oneself, something that can offer comfort and meaning. The closing lines of the song suggest that the ghosts and shadows of winter can be transformed into something beautiful, as they rise from the flames and set the fields alight.
Overall, "Ghosts of the Midwinter Fires" is a powerful and moving track that showcases the poetic and lyrical prowess of Agalloch. By interweaving themes of darkness and light, isolation and spiritual connection, the song captures the range of emotions that come with the winter season.
Line by Line Meaning
There are ghosts in every hallway
Everywhere we look, memories of the past haunt us
In every room, behind every door
The past lingers with us no matter where we go
Peering through every window into the past
The memories of our past are always with us, like ghosts watching our every move
Holding onto us in the bitterness of the mire
Our past experiences and memories cling to us even in difficult times
Leaving a trace of themselves in the spaces in which they hide
Memories and experiences are always a part of us, even if they lie hidden in our minds
...but there are no ghosts here...
Despite the memories and past experiences, we must learn to let go and move on
There are gods in the wake of every flame
The fires of life and passion surround us with purpose and meaning
The fire that betroths the coldness of the void
Passions and purpose give us warmth and direction in a world that can feel cold and empty
In every wind, every tempest, and every snowfall, In every silence
Nature and the world around us are filled with opportunities for growth and meaning
Inside every root that reaches deep into the soul of the Earth
The natural world has a way of connecting us to our deepest selves
...but there are no ghosts here...
Despite our past memories and experiences, there is beauty and purpose to be found in the present
Shadows paint the dusk
As the day comes to a close, our past memories can cast long shadows over us
Ghosts rise from the flames
Old memories and experiences can be rekindled, even if we thought they were long gone
To set alight in the fields, In robes of smoke and spirit aligned
The past can feed new passions and ideas, igniting new fires and leading to spiritual growth
Contributed by Carter C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.