Agalloch- The Mantle

[Walk]

This is some of the most beautiful, artistic folk/gothic metal I've ever heard. Opeth fanboys would explode if they heard it. It takes everything good about Opeth and makes it better. It has a great atmosphere and feel for the whole album, all 68 minutes of it. The harsh vocals aren't hard to listen to at all because they fit in with the music so well, even people who don't like black metal should like it. It's black, it's bleak, and it's beautiful. I recommend it to everyone here; I think everyone could enjoy this type of music.

From what I've heard, Agalloch's earlier album is just as good.

[Skeletor]

Whoa! I must say I'm surprised to see an Agalloch thread here But yeah, that album is truly a masterpiece, one that makes my heart ache. It's quite a journey actually, listening to The Mantle. The lyrics/poetry are sooo brilliant - which reminds me I have to include my favorite parts here:

"Like snowfall, you cry a silent storm
Your tears paint rivers on this oaken wall"

Gotta love it, very Jeff Buckleyesque imagery.

Also,

"Here at the edge of this world
Here I gaze at a pantheon of oak, a citadel of stone
If this grand panorama before me is what you call God...
Then God is not dead"