Available as an impeccably mastered one-sided 7" vinyl record, pressed on white vinyl and contained in packaging with exhaustive information detailing the natural phenomenon depicted on the cover, in a hand-stamped and numbered edition of 500 copies.
Described as "lush melodic, and beautifully improvised guitar experiments that are sonically and spiritually aligned with originators of such ambiance such as Manuel Gottsching, Tangerine Dream, or Popol Vuh, and contemporary practitioners such as Burning Star Core, Oneohtrix Point Never, or Emeralds."
Back in September he released this single, +46 17' 36.30", -124 4' 20.13", via Anthem Records - which can be streamed and purchased here exclusively.
Being only five-and-a-half minutes in length, it's incredibly difficult to describe what's going on, especially considering how minimalistic a song it is. It's an experimental/ambient style that reflects a natural phenomenon (as depicted in the mesmerizing cover art) with an element of spirituality, something not uncommon in an Agalloch album. Being a spiritually-charged release, you're bound to get a spiritually-charged review. Here she goes.
+46 17' 36.30", -124 4' 20.13" is a sonic escape into another world - one of colorful hallucinations, rich textures, somber skies, endless meadows... a world filled with the light and beauty utterly lacking in the day-to-day grind we've all become slaves to. This song is a statement, something to capture the essence of man's struggle to co-exist with something that predates our very existence: nature. The simplicity demands your attention and buries the question deep within your sub-conscience: What is our purpose?
Musically, there are some interesting artistic effects going on here, reminiscent of Alan Parsons' A Valid Path with its combination of electronic and pop music, that build a euphoric atmosphere for the listener to bathe in and totally lose themselves to reality. You can almost feel the branches on the trees reaching towards the sun in the sky as the simple melody drenches your soul with redemption and knowledge. You begin to understand the logic behind the co-existence. All questions become answers.
John Haughm has certainly proven he knows more than just screams and growls with his work in Agalloch. This solo effort only serves to portray yet another dimension of his mind. And if you let it, this simple five-minute single can add yet another dimension to yours.
Written on 05.12.2011 by Troy Killjoy
A Metal Storm Staff member and official reviewer since 2011, Troy is well-trained in the art of black metal and mockery.
BTW, how's that guitar effect/technique called? I enjoy it very much, and always love to hear it (Agalloch used it on the last album on "Black Lake" and "Ghosts"; as well as Cynic and some kraut-rock bands), but I don't know what's its name.
Now this is interesting. A side-project from the Agalloch mainman and I haven't heard about it? Hope there still are some copies left to order. Excellent review as well.
Sounds like their might be some Thomas Köner worship going on by that song title and the style described (well, aside from the melody). Sounds very "me" anyway.
Written by Carl Berg on 05.12.2011 at 01:40 Now this is interesting. A side-project from the Agalloch mainman and I haven't heard about it? Hope there still are some copies left to order. Excellent review as well.
The publicist from the label said there's still enough to go around.
Written by !J.O.O.E.! on 05.12.2011 at 01:55 Sounds like their might be some Thomas Köner worship going on by that song title and the style described (well, aside from the melody). Sounds very "me" anyway.
I don't know the name Thomas Köner off-hand, but the Bandcamp page mentioned other similar outfits than Haughm took inspiration from (which I added to the album's additional info). Not sure if you've heard of any of those, but I definitely thought of you when I first heard this.
Unfortunately I honestly don't know. I wish I did though. Then I could look for similar artists that utilize it.
Damn shame :/
If it helps you, these guys used it quite a bit in their ambiental albums ("Inventions For Electric Guitar" is entirely made with that sound/effect/technique) - well, more than your average band at least:
Written by malaikat on 05.12.2011 at 02:42 If it helps you, these guys used it quite a bit in their ambiental albums ("Inventions For Electric Guitar" is entirely made with that sound/effect/technique)...
Thanks! I'll be sure to investigate into that world more in the coming weeks.
Written by PocketMetal on 05.12.2011 at 09:06 Thanks for the review , there was 0% chance I could find this thing on my own .
I kinda worship agalloch xD
No problem. It's amazing how this has seemingly flown under everyone's radar, including my own. Considering the man behind the music you'd think the internet would have worked its magic and we'd be talking about this since September.
From the album description: Described as "lush melodic, and beautifully improvised guitar experiments that are sonically and spiritually aligned with originators of such ambiance such as Manuel Gottsching, Tangerine Dream, or Popol Vuh, and contemporary practitioners such as Burning Star Core, Oneohtrix Point Never, or Emeralds."
It's like, "let's name some of the stuff you probably haven't heard of to send a subliminal message how the artist is mighty and cool and you're an ignorant." He is cool though. Just hate when people write stuff like that.
From the album description: Described as "lush melodic, and beautifully improvised guitar experiments that are sonically and spiritually aligned with originators of such ambiance such as Manuel Gottsching, Tangerine Dream, or Popol Vuh, and contemporary practitioners such as Burning Star Core, Oneohtrix Point Never, or Emeralds."
It's like, "let's name some of the stuff you probably haven't heard of to send a subliminal message how the artist is mighty and cool and you're an ignorant." He is cool though. Just hate when people write stuff like that.
Not in the slightest. You're thinking in a very Metal-centric manner. Don't assume this is exclusively marketed at such an audience. Tangerine Dream, Emeralds and Burning Star Core, and probably some of the others, are well established names in their fields. Just because someone lives on a diet of a few tropes of metal styles doesn't instantly vilify alien-sounding artists as fodder for "coolness". It's not his fault if he's writing about stuff you've never heard of. To him they may be day-to-day thoughts and occurrences like "x-prog metal band" might be to you.
Not in the slightest. You're thinking in a very Metal-centric manner. Don't assume this is exclusively marketed at such an audience. Tangerine Dream, Emeralds and Burning Star Core, and probably some of the others, are well established names in their fields. Just because someone lives on a diet of a few tropes of metal styles doesn't instantly vilify alien-sounding artists as fodder for "coolness". It's not his fault if he's writing about stuff you've never heard of. To him they may be day-to-day thoughts and occurrences like "x-prog metal band" might be to you.
I was more thinking about the manner of writing, as in screaming "I'm in a niche, I'm in a niche!", because you can't deny that, even if those are very familiar names in their fields, it still is a reasonably small field. It sends a message of "this is not for you, get off my playground." Though, this is all coming from a girl who imagines words as little people with all kinds of features, moving along their merry ways and arguing, so I might be slightly out of line
Not that I'm against this, I think it's a wonderful idea. It's very amusing to think that, while we argue about the finesses of metal genres and the prowess of certain artists on this and similar forums, there are people out there who couldn't tell doom metal apart from death metal, metalhead from a goth and who'd be quite baffled to be present at even one metal gig or metalheads' gathering. It only occurred to me in the past few months that there is a myriad of other genres completely out the "mainstream's" grasp as well. Maybe we should all have some tea and rock out together, so a metal artist doing a piece of experimental music certainly gets kudos from me.
Actually, way more people know about Tangerine Dream (a completely legendary band that had an impact on more genres than I can name) than most black metal bands. Ambient music is nothing new and its also nothing new for metal musicians to tackle this style.
Actually, way more people know about Tangerine Dream (a completely legendary band that had an impact on more genres than I can name) than most black metal bands. Ambient music is nothing new and its also nothing new for metal musicians to tackle this style.
Yeah, they're the only band out of this bunch I've heard of, so I guess that's the case with a lot of people. And mind you, although it's "nothing new" to people who follow the underground circles, there's quite a few metalheads and other alternative music lovers who still haven't heard the impact on this genre on their most beloved type of music. I still haven't figured out where is the line that separates "music with ambiance" and purely ambient music.
Actually, way more people know about Tangerine Dream (a completely legendary band that had an impact on more genres than I can name) than most black metal bands. Ambient music is nothing new and its also nothing new for metal musicians to tackle this style.
Yes, I don't know many black metal bands that have done music for Tom Cruise films.
Written by Mr. Doctor on 05.12.2011 at 19:07 Edit: Fuck it, the artwork is cute so I'm going to buy it. It's cheap.
Happy to hear you caved.
Yeah, when I read the part that said "when you buy the vinyl you get a download link" all my doubts went away.
Now just hoping my copy will arrive fine. I'm quite the pessimistic fuck so I just can't wait to get it.
Written by Mr. Doctor on 05.12.2011 at 19:53 I'm quite the pessimistic fuck so I just can't wait to get it.
Did you read the description of what's inside? It looks like a really sweet package when all's said and done, especially for such a low price. For a hand-numbered limited edition solo single from John Haughm. It doesn't get much better than that.
Written by Troy Killjoy on 05.12.2011 at 19:54 Did you read the description of what's inside? It looks like a really sweet package when all's said and done, especially for such a low price. For a hand-numbered limited edition solo single from John Haughm. It doesn't get much better than that.
It's pretty nice for the price although I can't stop laughing at the fact that it costs me more the shipping than the single itself.
Now, let's get a grip. It's pretty decent, but it's something we already heard in the '70s... (yes, I'm old), so, I don't really see the point of it. Or, yes, he is entitled to revisit some old crap, but just don't get your violins out...
Written by Merchant of Doom on 06.12.2011 at 00:34 Now, let's get a grip.
So much for not commenting. >>
I don't think anyone needs to get a grip to be honest. It's a very good single from a musician who has obviously stepped out of what he's renowned for. My rating isn't too high (at least I don't think it is) and the majority of people here think of it as a beautiful song. It's not like this is receiving the same kind of attention Wintersun did with their debut.
Yes, I wasn't going to comment, but I just can't believe that such a derivative piece of music is getting so much praise. Yes, it's a good "song", 35 years too late. Now, Mr Haughm can revisit all he likes, stepping out of his usual boundaries, but it's still something pretty boring, unless you like to be hypnotized.
so screwy! i think someone who pm you to write a request knew that you know you'r stuff !
+1
its seems just an ambient music. i hope the rest of tracks be a more metal than this.:)
Written by Saeed Pourjafar on 06.12.2011 at 10:29 so screwy! i think someone who pm you to write a request knew that you know you'r stuff !
its seems just an ambient music. i hope the rest of tracks be a more metal than this.:)
Well it's nice to feel like you've got some knowledge sometimes.
As for releasing metal material, I highly doubt he'll be doing that with his solo project. He's already got Agalloch to vent his metal creativity; I think this is designed to help him release some more of his artistic thoughts that wouldn't be suitable for the sound of Agalloch.
Maybe you're right. and this genre is going to be awesome ; but we know many artist and band that performs this kind of music! (ex: Voidwork) i expected more than this from haughm even in this particular genre ( that is so sensitive to peform in its best way)
sorry for my bad english, english is not my native (original) language.
I wish I did though. Then I could look for similar artists that utilize it.
Not my cup of tea or my type of music, so I will abstain from commenting for once! 
