The Pink Floyd of Black Metal

Before COVID closed down schools, I used to get up early and walk the 45-50 min walk to school every day, usually before sunrise, through the frigid Canadian winter, and this was almost always what I’d listen to, such a surreal experience every time

the build-up on In The Shadow Of Our Pale Companion from 12:42 until it releases all the tension to deliver the perfect guitar solo on 14:23 with that lick should be considered one of the most important moments in metal history

everyone was right this really is one of the greatest metal albums of all time

55:44 (Translation from Spanish) "I will die and no one will remember me" "Yes, I will remember you. I'll visit you in the graveyard with a flower and a dog, and in your funeral I will sing, in a low voice, 'How beautiful is a burial'"

Winter is approaching. Must listen to The Mantle again.

This is the greatest album to bridge Fall and Winter of all time.

This Album changed my life

2023 another great winter to be listening by fire lite

Nothing like listening to this on cold winter nights. Makes it 10x more atmospheric

I have more than 2500 different albums, I have enjoyed more than 400 concerts so far. The mantle is on my “10 albums of all times” personal standing. Not for all. So complex, so various, so outstanding. A true masterpiece. Pity they disbanded. You will always rule, Agalloch.

The best dark folk/atmospheric black metal album in the world

20 years to this masterpiece. The best album of 21st century.

Years later and this album still has an affect on me everytime I listen to it. It's one of my go-to's in the wintertime.

An album that is mandatory for those drives around wooded roads in autumn.

Agalloch is the best thing that has happened to me in 2020!

My boyfriend and i were on a early morning drive in july to go fishing. It was 2 am and we were in the middle of the woods. We drove down the valley, listening to this album, into the clearing. Its pitch black and in our headlights i see something crossing slowly into the road. It was a huge female elk. She was giant. Like a male without a rack, thick, but not pregnant. She slowly moved across the road and stared at us as we drove by. Me and her made eye contact. She was unafraid. She was alone. I believe we saw a spirit of the woods. She was ethereal. During this album too coincidental, in the washington state woods.

I was 17 when I listened to Agalloch for the first time, more than a decade later I still find a deep belonging here. I doubt I will leave.

You can't live throughout the winter or autumn without listening to Agalloch

I cannot count the amount of times this album has saved my life. No lies or exaggerations

A good friend in my past life told me to listen to Agalloch. I went to see them live 2 times in a row before they broke up. This album became my favorite for driving during Winter time and healing from relationship breakups. Thanks to this band.

Absolutely one of the all time great albums and Agalloch sits as one of my top ten bands with Opeth. Truly a masterpiece. As you can tell by my handle what is my favorite song.

I posted this a while back on another video of The Mantle that got deleted, but I figured I'd re-post it here since you guys might enjoy this little anecdote about Don Anderson Don Anderson was actually one of my professors at college during the first two semesters that I attended. He's not there anymore sadly ( this was circa 2016, he's since moved back out west ) but I love that guy, really cool dude. I haven't met a single student who didn't like him. He introduced me to post-structuralist theory and let me read a few of his books. I also took a film course with him too; he's got great taste. Loves obscure cinema, probably fitting I guess lol, I hope I run into him again one day, genuinely one of the coolest guys I've ever met. I miss him. Don, if you ever see this, I love you man, and so do all the students you've impacted. Also, thanks for letting that second essay slide lmao

I'm honored about hearing of this band. I feel blessed.

One of the best albums I've ever heard !

I'm a little dismayed with myself. I've been a fairly hardcore metal fan since the late 80's. REALLY got into it in the mid to late 90's (otherwise known as "Beyond Metallica and Pantera"). Black Metal came into my life via Emperor in 98-99 and it's been a passion ever since. At the very least a fascination. How in the HELL (pun intended) is it that until yesterday, I knew jack about Agalloch? This is Ulver, Opeth and Therion rolled into one. It's brilliant and then some. Thankfully we have KZfaq and the internet to figure out what we missed. Also, I'd like to add....nothing thrills me more than discovering new bands like this. I miss the old days of flicking my way through vinyl at the record shop in the basement nobody would dare go in to (Root Celler in St. Paul if you are a MinneSOOOtan and remember the place). Anyway. Thanks for finally exposing me to this brilliance.

I moved to the deep south. Temps rarely drop below 40 degrees here. I dont get nearly as much agalloch time as I should. But when it's 19 degrees in southern louisiana youre damn sure im listening to agalloch.

I haven't listened to this in like 10 years. Had a random urge to listen to some Opeth and this got recommended. Very glad to rediscover it.

I love this Band. From my homestate of Oregon. They truly capture the feeling of being in the pacific Northwest forest on a cloudy day.

I listen to this album when i fall asleep to keep bad dreams at bay.

This album is pure perfection... a timeless masterpiece. Thanks for bringing back! 💘

The "In the Shadow of Our Pale Companion" is one of the most beautiful songs !

5:45 the grunge vocals over death growls is just superb in this moment

The transition from the end of Hawthorne Passage to the Great Cold Death always gives me chills.

I will never forget this album

I discovered this masterpiece of an album a month ago and I keep coming back to it once a week and every time i get it and i love it more and more. Every time it grows in my list of special and favourite albums. I was in Georgia (country) and I met this jazz guitarist at a random gig i went to, and we had a little chat after the gig and i asked him, what’s his fav non jazz/fusion album, and that’s the one he pointed out. I don’t know this guys name and sad i will never be able to thank him for this discovery.

Years ago thought running along the ocean with this playing would be cool. Went for my morning run and ended up just sitting on the South Carolina shore and watched the Atlantic and a sunrise, with this in my ears. Failed run, but still one of the greatest mornings of my life.

Such a dark, folk inspired atmospheric black metal masterpiece. Best album I’ve listened to in a while, that’s for sure.

I've never seen snow in my whole life but, whenever I listen to Agalloch, snowy landscapes come to my mind! Just amazing the sensations their music can express!

Dont forget to celebrate the 20 year anniversary of this eternal masterpiece on 08.13.2022.

I’ve listened to a lot of music in my short time here on earth. (51)). Honestly, this is my favorite album from start to finish.

This is truely incredible, I've heard it so many times now and I can hardly explain how intense this sounds. I've got this in my recommended a few times and I also read that this is supposed to be one of the greatest metal albums of all time - and I highly doubt that anyone who clicked on this has regretted their decision, and I also believe most people have listened to this more than once, just like me!

I knew this album existed for a long time but never got around to listening to it. Im amazed at how good it is, it transcends genres as one of the best albums i have ever heard.

This album has saved my life and sanity an unnumbered amount of times. I am.greatful to the artists for sharing this masterpiece. From the lyrics to the music itself, a true work of art.

This will always be one of my top favorite albums of all time. I wish I could personally thank each member for allowing me to experience this beauty. Thank you Agalloch, it’s a shame I discovered you after the band’s dismemberment

I keep coming back every once in awhile. It will always be a beautiful album and a classic for me.

Quase 15 anos que conheci esse álbum, e sempre que escuto é a mesma experiência transcendental.

to be honest i can't live without this Album

I found this album when I was 12, it has changed my life. By far the best album I've ever listened too

I remember listening to this album when I was younger and feeling unspeakable sadness. About what? I can't even remember. A visage of me probably laying in bed, with a thick vapour of cannabis smoke filling the room, in the early hours of the morning. This album on repeat. But I can't remember what the sadness was. I was thinking, always thinking, with tears. I didn't do much as a teenager. Suddenly, if does seem like I've grown since then. If nothing else, I can say that I listened to some timeless music those handful of years ago. This is truly a dark masterpiece, swathed in beautiful melancholy, an absolutely unforgettable journey into the snow covered forests of some Scandinavian country. So beautiful, so sad. I wish I could remember what it was that I was feeling those years ago and bring into the focus of my mind the scope of those old, gone days.

The conection between In the Shadow of Our Pale Companion and Odal always mesmerize me.

i just wanna say thank you to agalloch for making this masterpiece of an album.

Back here when I'm in another rough place again, to let my deep sadness out and rise again when ready with the help of nature and music. Thank you.

They just distilled the sadness and melancholy found in men around the world and concocted it into a musical form. This is art.

Its that time of year to curl up with a blanket and your favorite drink and listen to this masterpiece. Stare out the window to see the cold, icy mother nature at work

Only discovering this tonight. I haven't fallen in love with an album this quickly since I first heard Pallbearer's Foundations of Burden.

Been a long long journey listening to Agalloch and I will never get enough it just like magic , it takes me far far away

Imagine having been a black metal fan for 15+ years and never having heard of this. WTF

Such a journey 20 years later, what a captivating album full of emotion

Sombre yet uplifting. Don't know why but this just hits the sweet-spot. Good for the soul. Genius.

I really enjoy this album when I am depressed. Sadly, I am really enjoying it right now.

Después de tantísimos años "The mantle" sigue siendo un acierto cuando quiero escuchar algo que me haga reflexionar sobre todo de forma tranquila y sin juzgar. The winter is coming!! pero acogedor, me gusta ver como esta música envejece con el tiempo, como yo, pero sigue siendo acogedora como el fuego del hogar. Thanks Agallorch!

Hay bellezas que de algun modo o a travez de las mas profundas emociones fue creado. Este album me presenta el verdadero amor que tienen sus exponentes por sus tierras, el bosque, los animales que habitan en el, los espiritus, el misticismo de los parajes naturales. Las emociones interiores del ser humano expuesta en esta magnifica obra de arte. Larga vida a Agalloch.

As I stand outside watching the snow fall and gather on the ground and various other objects, it is around this time of year that I will put this album on. Such subtle beauty, hidden away from everyday eyes that unfold unto me. It may not change much, but I've always found a divine grace in the mundanity of moments like this. Every little flake has as purpose, a destination to arrive to. It makes me wonder what or where my ultimate termination is. Such grand ideas that our little human minds cannot possibly know. And yet I strive everyday to achieve it. Awwh... see? I wish I could be this poetic in front of strangers or the coffee shop attendants I visit every day at work. There is much hidden beauty in our darkest depths. Who's got a lighter?

Coverkillernation brought me here, hope you come back making videos man, you're one of a kind

It's difficult to put into words how much this album means to me. When I listen it's as if a goddess from the abyss is cradling me with a cold but calming embrace. And all the sweet, magical darkness in the world calls me to my shadowy roots, to return home.

What an amazing album, I listened to the whole thing all the way through in one sitting.

I’ll never recover from the sheer geniuses called Agalloch!!!! Immeasurable amounts of brilliance put into this album!!!!!!!

This record is so unique. One thread of emotions. I just love it. Out of genre experience. Listening to this is like having a conversation with someone.. or something

Back in around 2010ish a friend recommended this album to me. I wasn't able to get into it then, but every couple of years I'd come back and see if I could hear the great album he was talking about, and each time I understand a little more.

I love to mountain bike in the woods. Listening to music while doing so is one of my favorite things in the world. I can’t wait to be pedaling my heart out listening to this!

Pretty much life changing album.. and criminally underrated one as well.. this should be considered as one of the greatest albums of all time!

One of the most beautiful pieces of art I've ever had the pleasure to listen to. These guys and Woods Of Ypres are out of this world!

Perfect band for the cold autumn and winter days.

Odal always gives me the chills... No words needed to convey such emotions

This is timeless. I can’t believe I actually bought this on vinyl in 2005

One of THE BEST albums I have ever heard. Even in my native, polish language it is difficult for me to catch and describe fully my reception of this masterpiece. I cannot imagine better companion to the trips into the wildlands. Thank you so much for this!

Agalloch, Empyrium... Two bands, two different worlds but the same inspiration: nature. Difficult to find today some bands as good as them!

41 years old and just now finding this...What a shame.

Замечательный альбом. Красивый, цепляющий, уникальный. Мне хотелось бы слушать его вечно.

The sound of a long and bleak Minnesota winter... perfect album.

My friend just died last night and this album is touching base hard right now

I'm not even into metal (the folk elements drew me into this) but this is such a brilliant album!

Why is it that after "In the Shadow of Our Pale Companion " theres just more sadness left? wasnt that sad enough? god i love this album

You will be missed CoverKillerNation

I'm listening to this for the first time... and this is exactly what i was looking for to get me through tough days at work.

I love the whole album, but the last three tracks are something else... What an absolute masterpiece

Death In June + GY!BE + The Cure + Ulver = This masterpiece of an album.

I discovered Agalloch a few years ago. As a fan of metal, I think this is one of the best bands ever. All of their albums are incredible. They never failed to offer a deep, magnificent music

Havent heard this masterpiece in a while. I dont know why? Greets from Finland.

Man I lost count how many times I’ve listened to this album in its entirety. Don’t know many other albums I’ve done that for. This album just never gets old!

A great album to help gather your thoughts

For when I need to hang my head low, close my eyes, and think. Agalloch.

This whole album is just amazing. I remember driving in the fog at night at 2am having this track playing and was such a blissful experience

Depression+this album=transcendental experience

this will always be in my top ten all time favorite album list

The mantel is a true masterpiece found it two years ago beautiful beyond words and rock hard

This album will always have a special place ... Mostly in time slike these, where it is cold and harsh outside it gives me this special feel. There are so many good albums out there, but not many can deliver and create feelings like this one. It is like a journey of walking trough a sheer endless forest and being cold and lost, but then arriving at a warm wooden cabin

These songs make me feel warm while I'm visualizing traveling through a winter landscape, absolutely brilliant album

A Desolation Song brought tears to my eyes, i've only been touch soo deeply by a few songs. I think Atmospheric Black Metal, and similars, have a very special power.