For fourteen years the Pacific Northwest group Agalloch has carved out a multifarious sound consisting of black metal, folk, progressive rock, and ambient soundscapes that has marked them as a pioneer in the contemporary dark music scene. Their dynamic approach to metal began with the demo From Which of this Oak released in 1997. This demo exhibited a deep connection with the early recordings of bands like Ulver, In the Woods, and Katatonia. The band released one more demo before securing a three-album deal with The End Records resulting in the releases Pale Folklore (1999), The Mantle (2002), and Ashes Against the Grain (2006).
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