About a week ago, I discovered the music of Agalloch while browsing a metal forum. I was immediately intrigued by their unique blend of folk metal, black metal, and traditional rock, all laid out in a sound that is more atmospheric than in-your-face. Portland-based Agalloch creates scenery with their music, showing, rather than telling the listener of dark, frosty winters and foreboding, melancholy-inducing forests. You should check them out. Their newest effort, 'Marrow of the Spirit,' is streaming in its entirety on NPR's website (the write-up by the staff author is excellent as well): link.
I know what you're thinking. Metal on NPR? What is this? Well, Agalloch is a band that I can see NPR understanding. Their music is a display of concept and musicality rather than a beat-your-face-in jam. It's atmospheric sound fits in well with NPR's laid-back approach to radio. It's metal that is, at times, calming. Seems strange, but give it a listen. Here's one of my favorites, "Falling Snow":
Apologies for the broken link initially, should be working now.
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