By Jason Williams
September 15th 2013, The Echoplex, Los Angeles CA: For nearly 18 years, the masters of atmospheric folk/doom metal Agalloch have given us some truly amazing records with beautiful passages, poetic, dark and hopeful lyrics. Up until 2010, they had hardly ever toured the States. A few select East Coast Shows on occasion and in their hometown of Portland, Oregon were all we were able to appreciate. Since then, they’ve sold out many shows, toured much more often and have now made their way into the Southern California area for the fourth time. Last night’s show took place at the Echoplex, a Los Angeles venue known for hosting all varieties of music genres and underground bands. This was my fourth Agalloch show, and for a band who has never disappointed in any shape or form, I was ready to soak in another memorable performance.
I arrived at the venue at about 8:40 PM, with a large amount of people in attendance already. The first act was not even up yet and I would say the venue was 75 per cent full. Being my third time at the Echoplex, I’ve always enjoyed seeing shows here. The drink prices were very reasonable, immaculate bathroom maintenance and cleanliness, even a lounging area by the end of the bar. Tables, comfortable couches, and a fairly large TV screen that gave you a close up of the stage. The most important aspect, which the Echoplex venue does a solid job with, is the sound of the bands. I will get to that in a little bit. But overall, the Echoplex is highly recommended amongst the various Los Angeles and Hollywood music venues.
Agalloch are known for bringing a very tasteful and different variety of bands to tour with, and tonight was no exception. 9 PM rolling by, Helen Money was the first act of the night. A famous cello playe, who had also played on such records as Worship Music from Anthrax, Mono, Disturbed and many others, graced the stage with a beautiful amplified cello. It was solely her, sitting in a chair with a music pedalboard next to her feet and cello in hand. She would not only play angelic passages, but also play ‘distorted’, using her hands to play the sounds as well, almost like a guitar. The crowd absolutely loved her, and it showed the diversity within the Agalloch audience. Helen Money was graceful and at the same time aggressive with her music. A true professional with her craft, she graced the stage for roughly 30 minutes, broadening our horizons by taking an elegant classical instrument and giving it a delightful and tasteful twist for all of us metalheads in attendance. Metal fans, classical music fans or of any genre, Helen Money is recommended for all.
Up next at around 10 PM were Worm Ouroboros, hailing from San Francisco and having strong ties with Agalloch for a while now. In fact, Agalloch’s drummer Aesop Dekker plays in the band as well. For a normal metal listener, they’ve a difficult band to describe. They’re a 3 piece with two females on vocals, one plays guitar while the other on bass, and the drummer. Playing a doom metal style with lots of ambience in between, the siren-like vocals and singing were definitely unexpected. This was a very different experience for myself and I’m sure lots of others not as familiar with their material. And this is where many props go to the Echoplex for their sound. It’s really rare to attend a venue and not only get the sound properly mixed well, but to cater to each band’s uniqueness and quality. The vocals had the right amount of reverb, almost sounding like they were singing in an ancient temple deep in the woods. It actually let the sounds on record that we all wish our favorite bands could always replicate, come to life. The doomy dissonance of the music style, connected with the powerful hitting of the drums and haunting yet beautiful singing by both ladies made for a great connection with all in attendance and a grand 40-minute set that would satisfy any doom and ambient fan.
Set List:
1. Ruined Ground
2. When We Are Gold
3. Withered
4. Untitled (New Song)
And finally, at 11:10 PM, with the crowd growing, cheering “Agalloch!” loudly and coming closer to the stage, Agalloch was ready to go. Known for their love and passion for the winter, landscapes and knowledge of the forest, guitarist/vocalist and founding member John Haughm always enhances the mood by bringing out small tree stumps with lovely smelling incense sitting on top. The senses were not only visual and hearing, but smell as well. Extremely rare for any music show. Agalloch went straight into “Limbs” after a small instrumental intro performed by the band. Headbanging, cheering and standing in awe were all fans present for this kinetic and surreal performance. Don Anderson, lead guitarist of Agalloch and also known for his captivating progressive melodic death metal band Sculptured, was giving all of us a show jumping all over stage, playing while laying on the ground and asking us to chant with many parts of the song which there was no way the fans wouldn’t do. When “Falling Snow” played, the entire venue went absolutely insane, this writer included. My favorite song from the band, and judging from the reaction of this passionate and excited crowd, it surely was theirs as well. Anyone standing still was met with lots of moshing, something unusual for a band of Agalloch’s style. And because of that, I could see lots of fans being annoyed by the moshing going on. The style Agalloch plays also goes somewhat hand in hand with the crowd, a more appreciating experience and not exactly the same way you would express yourself at a thrash or death metal show. The moshing would continue into the next song played, “The Watcher’s Monolith”. Bassist Jason William Walton stood on the left side of the stage, providing memorable bass lines and a great tone as well, something that’s hard to do for many bassists playing live in a metal band. Although he wasn’t as active as the other members, he certainly was moving around more than I’ve seen in the past. John Haughm’s guitar playing, growls, screams and singing could all be heard beautifully, each instrument excellent in the mix. Another compliment to the Echoplex for catering to each band’s individual sound and uniqueness. Despite the average Agalloch song clocking in at around 9-10 minutes or so, this performance went by extremely fast. It was such an incredible performance that time just slipped from my fingers. The choice of songs was solid, and although a slight disappointment that nothing from their sophmore album The Mantle was played, I couldn’t complain much as each record is a triumph and any song played by Agalloch live is always a treat.
The encore consisted of “Of Stone, Wind and Pillor” from the EP of the same title made back over 12 years ago and “Bloodbirds” off their Ashes Against the Grain record. I was very pleased with the attendance. Not only a solid number of people showed up on a Sunday night, but heavily into the music, no folding arms elitist style or doodling on their phones during the bands performance, and screaming for every song introduction. Their spectacular 90 minute performance left the entire crowd and myself wanting more and more.
A band that has finally been given the respect they deserve, Agalloch showed Southern California again what extreme atmospheric folk metal fusion truly sounds like. One of the few bands that I can never miss playing live, and after you’re able to witness them in your town soon, you’ll feel the same as well.
Set List:
1. Limbs
2. Ghosts of Midwinter Fires
3. Falling Snow
4. The Watcher’s Monolith
5. Hallways of Enchanted Ebony
6. The Melancholy Spirit
7. Into the Painted Grey
Encore
8. Of Stone, Wind, and Pillor
9. Bloodbirds