A good returning!I was waiting for a new album from Agalloch because it's my 2nd favorite band.When I learned that they will release new album I was very happy.Of course,I had the belief that it will be very good.Well,finally I am satisfied with the album but not so much.The production is good but low.But I appreciate that they wanted to have a real and physical sound in their production and not the “perfect”modern metal production with the triggers as they say.For sure this album is more different than the previous.It's more varied(there are elements of doom metal,black metal,post rock,krautrock and folk).It has a strange aura and atmosphere.It's more haunting.The melancholic introduction of the album with the composition of Jackie Perez Gratz of Grayceon is splendid.Fantastic cello playing!
This cover is one of the bleakest covers that I have ever seen.Fantastic winter landscape!
The key songs of the album are The watcher's monolith(pessimism and nostalgia),Black lake Nidstang(7:22-8:42 superb dirge) and Ghosts of the midwinter fires(00:01-02:51 a more positive introduction but the end of the song is desperate).
An album that a music appreciator will listen to it.
My grade:7,8/10