Easily the longest review on Metal Storm, and in my opinion one that spends way too much time defending the score and not enough time just telling it how it is.

I'm not saying it because I disagree. I'm saying it because I'm reminded of that old review of Immortal's AtHoW.

Written by Troy Killjoy on 11.03.2012 at 03:49

Easily the longest review on Metal Storm, and in my opinion one that spends way too much time defending the score and not enough time just telling it how it is.

I'm not saying it because I disagree. I'm saying it because I'm reminded of that old review of Immortal's AtHoW.

I think a few of DerRozzengarten's Septicflesh reviews have a few words to say with you regarding the length.

Fair enough about the defense strategy, though. I figured people had already heard the most extreme praising and hating reviews of this album, and knew enough about the music already. So yeah, I sorta took a personal and defensive view, but I wouldn't change what I wrote.

Written by Troy Killjoy on 11.03.2012 at 03:49

Easily the most unnecessary long review on Metal Storm
I'm not saying it because I disagree. I'm saying it because I'm reminded of that old review of Immortal's AtHoW.

I took the time to re-write your first sentence, you are welcome.

Also, which Immortal review? I don't like either of them tbh Both failed to really talk about the music.

Shit, this was about Agalloch. Sorry... ehmmm, I kind of like them, I dunno... I never really payed that much attention to them specially because I never thought (and I still think) they can't pull off the harsh vocals. They sound so weak and out of place to me.

Written by X-Ray Rod on 11.03.2012 at 04:15
Also, which Immortal review?

I believe it was written by S666. The one where 90% of the review talks about how it's a thrash album more than a black metal album.

And then I think wormdrink wrote a "response" review to it as a result of all of us saying someone should write a "response" review and gave it like a 9.5 and just spent the whole time saying it was a classic black metal album.

Good times.

PS you should spend more time getting to know these guys, their dark folk influences are beautiful

Written by Troy Killjoy on 11.03.2012 at 04:20
PS you should spend more time getting to know these guys, their dark folk influences are beautiful

Apart of me keeps telling me I should listen to their discography (which is collecting virtual dust since forever in my computer) but I'm a lazy fella. But I'll do that when the time is right... just like you did with Murmuüre. hahahahahaha

PS. I wrote "either" instead of "neither". friggin typo.

Written by X-Ray Rod on 11.03.2012 at 04:23
...just like you did with Murmuüre.

So you're saying you're never going to check them out.

Written by Troy Killjoy on 11.03.2012 at 04:25

Written by X-Ray Rod on 11.03.2012 at 04:23
...just like you did with Murmuüre.

So you're saying you're never going to check them out.

Hey, last time I checked you did check Murmuüre out, it just took you the longest time to do it.

Unless you are a liar... and a big fat phony.

Written by X-Ray Rod on 11.03.2012 at 04:27
Unless you are a liar... and a big fat phony.

No I checked it. After... a year? I was just kind of exaggerating.

I like that we can use that as a sort of inside joke when referring to looking into something though.

But seriously. If you bother with Agalloch again, check this album and their White EP. Totally different stylistically but both amazing.

The trilogy of "Our Fortress Is Burning" is the most special thing here. Not the best, but the most special, because it perfectly closes the album and gives a meaning to what you've heard so far - "The Mantle" on the other hand doesn't close very effectively. The first part is an intro and it shouldn't be compared to any other song on "The Mantle": these two albums have totally different atmospheres; "The Mantle" is very poetic, melancholic, calm... "Ashes" is tragic. It's hopelessness, it's Void; and "Bloodbirds" is the very end of it all. What about "The Grain"? This song is an epilogue and as such it depicts a scenario of nothingness. A dreadful wall of sound that always manages to freeze my blood... There couldn't have been a better postludium.
Needless to say, "Ashes.." is among my favourite albums ever, not only concerning metal music. There will never be enough words for it.

Written by [user id=39762] on 11.03.2012 at 04:34

The trilogy of "Our Fortress Is Burning" is the most special thing here. Not the best, but the most special, because it perfectly closes the album and gives a meaning to what you've heard so far - "The Mantle" on the other hand doesn't close very effectively. The first part is an intro and it shouldn't be compared to any other song on "The Mantle": these two albums have totally different atmospheres; "The Mantle" is very poetic, melancholic, calm... "Ashes" is tragic. It's hopelessness, it's Void; and "Bloodbirds" is the very end of it all. What about "The Grain"? This song is an epilogue and as such it depicts a scenario of nothingness. A dreadful wall of sound that always manages to freeze my blood... There couldn't have been a better postludium.
Needless to say, "Ashes.." is among my favourite albums ever, not only concerning metal music. There will never be enough words for it.

Somehow I knew you'd disagree, Kenos. But that's okay. I see why people love it so much, I really do. It just didn't connect with me like The Mantle.

PS: Also, The Mantle didn't close effectively? What?! The closing duo of "...And the Great Cold Death of the Earth"/"A Desolation Song" is one of the greatest and most moving one-two punches I've ever heard. :O

Written by X-Ray Rod on 11.03.2012 at 04:15

Written by Troy Killjoy on 11.03.2012 at 03:49

Easily the most unnecessary long review on Metal Storm
I'm not saying it because I disagree. I'm saying it because I'm reminded of that old review of Immortal's AtHoW.

I took the time to re-write your first sentence, you are welcome.

Also, which Immortal review? I don't like either of them tbh Both failed to really talk about the music.

Shit, this was about Agalloch. Sorry... ehmmm, I kind of like them, I dunno... I never really payed that much attention to them specially because I never thought (and I still think) they can't pull off the harsh vocals. They sound so weak and out of place to me.

Such a meanie, Mr. Doctor.

Written by strade on 11.03.2012 at 04:41

The closing duo of "...And the Great Cold Death of the Earth"/"A Desolation Song" is one of the greatest and most moving one-two punches I've ever heard. :O

I half-agree with you: "... And The Great Cold Death Of The Earth" would've been a perfect closer indeed; "A Desolation Song" is pleasant yet seems a bit out of place to me. :\ And that's one of the reasons I didn't give "The Mantle" a full 10. Anyway, it always remains a masterwork.

You should get more of these up on MS, you write a fine review
And I'll probably be crucified for saying this but I've never heard this album.

Written by R'Vannith on 11.03.2012 at 04:55

You should get more of these up on MS, you write a fine review
And I'll probably be crucified for saying this but I've never heard this album.

Get on the cross. Now. You should definitely listen to it, though. Surely you've heard The Mantle, right? Please tell me you have.

Thanks for the positive response! And a message to everyone: I'll try to shorten things up nest time.

Written by strade on 11.03.2012 at 05:35

Written by R'Vannith on 11.03.2012 at 04:55

You should get more of these up on MS, you write a fine review
And I'll probably be crucified for saying this but I've never heard this album.

Get on the cross. Now. You should definitely listen to it, though. Surely you've heard The Mantle, right? Please tell me you have.

Thanks for the positive response! And a message to everyone: I'll try to shorten things up nest time.

Yeah I have heard The Mantle, I'm not THAT much of a heretic haha.
Metal Archives reviews don't have an optimal length/cut off or anything I don't think and you've been writing there for a while so it just takes a little adjustment in methodology.

Written by R'Vannith on 11.03.2012 at 05:41

Yeah I have heard The Mantle, I'm not THAT much of a heretic haha.
Metal Archives reviews don't have an optimal length/cut off or anything I don't think and you've been writing there for a while so it just takes a little adjustment in methodology.

Yeah, I was actually struggling to keep it this short. I guess the 7-10 paragraph Crimson Glory/Pharaoh reviews have gotten to me. I actually have written a review here before, for that Omnium Gatherum album (also overrated) last year, but requested that it be removed on the grounds that it was stupid and badly executed. That's why it says 2 under the 'reviews written' section on my profile even though there's only this one, which will be sure to confuse the hell out of people in the future.

Nice review! Ashes Against the Grain is one of my favorite Agalloch album's. I like it slightly more than The Mantle and as much as Marrow of the Spirit.

Written by strade on 11.03.2012 at 05:49
That's why it says 2 under the 'reviews written' section on my profile even though there's only this one, which will be sure to confuse the hell out of people in the future.

If you recount your stats (option beneath your avatar and posting/thread numbers) it should go back to one.

Written by Troy Killjoy on 11.03.2012 at 06:38

Written by strade on 11.03.2012 at 05:49
That's why it says 2 under the 'reviews written' section on my profile even though there's only this one, which will be sure to confuse the hell out of people in the future.

If you recount your stats (option beneath your avatar and posting/thread numbers) it should go back to one.

Thanks! Embarrassingly enough, I was wondering what that was for.

Interesting perspective. It is my favorite Agalloch album because it helped me through a very dark point in my life, and it is absolutely beautiful. This release is incredibly special to me in my life. I'm sorry that you regard it as lesser than their other releases, but at the same time I'm happy that you aren't afraid to say what you think. Cheers.

^
Fuck you, Rod and Troy, all of my reviews own.

On-topic: Still loving this album. Yea, it is Agalloch's worst, but for a band like Agalloch, that doesn't mean it's bad.

Nice review, don't agree with it. I find Ashes to be their second best. From start to finish it is ecstatic and if you put in Scars of the shattered sky in there it just drags you into a bleak imagery. That's why I listen to their albums at night, it makes me more immersed into the music, not unlike daytime.

Great review! Probably it could have been shortened a bit, but I went through it quickly; it didn't bother me at all.

I agree with everything you said. It's a great record, but there is a whole feeling to it I can't fully digest.
I like the post-rock influences in Agalloch's music, but they took them way too far in this release for my taste.

I liked the review. It sums up the album for me well. It has around 3 of my favourite tracks, yet around 3 of the most boring tracks. Those three tracks still make it possible my favourite album though, Pale Folklore is just behind. and The mantle not far off it.

Nice review, I still consider it my favorite album since it was the one that got me into the band, and it was unforgettable for the 100 first times I listened to it, I'm just in love with it..

If you say this is worst album try to listen apalachain winter, I doubt Pilorian will be so good as this album,