So there's a massive wildfire like right over the mountains from where I live. Supposedly caused by someone driving into an outdoor propane tank.

Metal? I think so.

At 9/7/10 10:16 PM, smeagol1 wrote: There also is Hell Commander Smeagol who will take over Canada with his black metal millita-

That's hardly relevant. :P

Im quite fond of these guys Agalloch

I'm surprised at how little I've listened to them.

At 9/7/10 11:01 PM, Valjylmyr wrote:

At 9/7/10 09:42 PM, Bahamut wrote: Good to see members here, especially those who I gave a recommendation to hang out in the Metal Hell (i.e. razorbladesigh and Valjylmyr).

I'd prefer just Val. I know Valjylmyr can be tedious to remember.

Thanks for that. I had to keep copying and pasting your name since I keep forgetting how the full name is spelt. Val it is. :)

At 9/8/10 12:28 AM, hypersomniax wrote: So there's a massive wildfire like right over the mountains from where I live. Supposedly caused by someone driving into an outdoor propane tank.

Metal? I think so.

Burning woodlands makes Smeagol emo.

At 9/7/10 10:16 PM, smeagol1 wrote:

Im quite fond of these guys Agalloch

Smeagol can finaly see the light :)

At 9/8/10 12:32 PM, HeavenDuff wrote:

At 9/7/10 10:16 PM, smeagol1 wrote:

Im quite fond of these guys Agalloch

Smeagol can finaly see the light :)

What you talking about willlus? :3

At 9/7/10 10:16 PM, smeagol1 wrote: Im quite fond of these guys Agalloch

I'm not really into Agalloch that much. They've got good songs, but they're a little repetitive for me. It feels like something I could fall asleep to. Then again, Ashes Against the Grain is the only album by them I've heard.

At 9/8/10 03:09 PM, Valjylmyr wrote: I'm not really into Agalloch that much. They've got good songs, but they're a little repetitive for me. It feels like something I could fall asleep to. Then again, Ashes Against the Grain is the only album by them I've heard.

It's the same way almost for me. I didn't care for that album. I thought The Mantle was better overall.

At 9/8/10 03:09 PM, Valjylmyr wrote:

At 9/7/10 10:16 PM, smeagol1 wrote: Im quite fond of these guys Agalloch

I'm not really into Agalloch that much. They've got good songs, but they're a little repetitive for me. It feels like something I could fall asleep to. Then again, Ashes Against the Grain is the only album by them I've heard.

Eh... All of their songs are totally different... The ambiences are not the same from song to song. Some songs are heavier and more agressive, while others are very smooth and filled with clean accoustic riffs. They have songs with very intense leads. They use a lot of different picking techniques and have a lot of different influences. On one of their albums, they usually find a way to fit elements of Post Rock, Atmospheric, Doom Metal and Folk Metal. They even have a Drone song on the album. So, if you think Agalloch is repetitive, then you really need to give them a few more listens, bro.

At 9/8/10 04:39 PM, CapnCrunchDaPimp wrote:

At 9/8/10 03:09 PM, Valjylmyr wrote: I'm not really into Agalloch that much. They've got good songs, but they're a little repetitive for me. It feels like something I could fall asleep to. Then again, Ashes Against the Grain is the only album by them I've heard.

It's the same way almost for me. I didn't care for that album. I thought The Mantle was better overall.

Same goes for you.

You should also get Pale Folklore and From Which Of This Oak.

At 9/8/10 05:38 PM, HeavenDuff wrote: Some songs are heavier and more agressive

I wouldn't call anything Agalloch has ever done "aggressive". They're about as tame as their main influences get. Aside from maybe Alcest.

Doom Metal

Having heard a large chunk of their material, and unless these influences are found in songs that aren't on any of their full lengths, I feel as though this distinction is way off base. Nothing that they've done from Pale Folklore, to The Mantle, or Ashes even comes close to being categorized as Doom; in a strong sense or even in influence. It's getting too common these days to label anything that's mid paced and bleak in atmosphere Doom but both of those things are entirely possible in a lot of genre's. Doom has a very specific sound and structure which I can barely see any of in Agalloch.

So, if you think Agalloch is repetitive, then you really need to give them a few more listens, bro.

While I wouldn't discourage him from that I've, at different times, been both a huge fan, and a somewhat disenfranchised one. Then and now respectively. A lot of their shit is repetitive (ie boring) and was boring even back when I loved them. About half of the songs on Ashes are a shining example of what happens when you aren't at all bad at composing per se, but have perhaps ran out of musical inspiration at that particular point in time.

At 9/8/10 03:09 PM, Valjylmyr wrote:

At 9/7/10 10:16 PM, smeagol1 wrote: Im quite fond of these guys Agalloch

I'm not really into Agalloch that much. They've got good songs, but they're a little repetitive for me. It feels like something I could fall asleep to. Then again, Ashes Against the Grain is the only album by them I've heard.

Hmmmmm.... I never found them repetative. I actually did enjoy Ashes Against The Grain a lot, but The Mantle is their best work, IMO. Try that, it is really atmospheric and great.

Sick club. I think I will join. I like Slipknot, Devildriver, Chimaria, Slayer, Demon Hunter, Korn, and others that don't pop to mind.

At 9/8/10 07:06 PM, TakeNoPrisoners wrote:

At 9/8/10 05:38 PM, HeavenDuff wrote: Some songs are heavier and more agressive

I wouldn't call anything Agalloch has ever done "aggressive". They're about as tame as their main influences get. Aside from maybe Alcest.

Aaaaah Jesus Christ !! Don't tell me you can't even understand how they are agressive. They are not Thrash Metal agressive, or Death Metal agressive. But their riffs are heavy and they hit hard. If you don't like the word agressive, let's say "heavy". Good?

Doom Metal

Having heard a large chunk of their material, and unless these influences are found in songs that aren't on any of their full lengths, I feel as though this distinction is way off base. Nothing that they've done from Pale Folklore, to The Mantle, or Ashes even comes close to being categorized as Doom; in a strong sense or even in influence. It's getting too common these days to label anything that's mid paced and bleak in atmosphere Doom but both of those things are entirely possible in a lot of genre's. Doom has a very specific sound and structure which I can barely see any of in Agalloch.

Ok, whatever. Let's make a new genre classification for them then. They have slow and heavy riffs. While this is not good enough to fit in Doom Metal. I can't find any other way to describe this kind of riffing. However, they do not always play these mid-paced, slow and heavy riffs.

So, if you think Agalloch is repetitive, then you really need to give them a few more listens, bro.

While I wouldn't discourage him from that I've, at different times, been both a huge fan, and a somewhat disenfranchised one. Then and now respectively. A lot of their shit is repetitive (ie boring) and was boring even back when I loved them. About half of the songs on Ashes are a shining example of what happens when you aren't at all bad at composing per se, but have perhaps ran out of musical inspiration at that particular point in time.

Agalloch never was boring. Maybe not what you are looking for... but surely not boring. You can't blame a band like Agalloch of being "repetitive". They play atmospheric metal. And while the same riff can be played over and over, it helps building up the atmosphere. There's not a single note on Ashes Against The Grain that is placed randomly. I can't get bored listenning to Agalloch, their riffs have the perfect lenght everytime. And they never play the riff exactly the same. They keep adding more elements, more sounds and different effects on their guitars, different ambient noises and stuff. Only song by them... I ever felt bored listenning to... was their cover of the song "Kneel To The Cross".... when they say the same exact sentense for something like 2 minutes or so. But even now, I feel that it has it's place in the song. And I can fully appreciate it now.

I can't understand how any of their songs on Ashes Against The Grain could be uninspired or redundant. Seriously, if you have any kind of examples you could give me, with links to their songs and shit like that... can you guide me a little? That is, only if you have time to do so...
Agalloch is my favorite band. And I never get tired of their music. Everything by them, especially on Pale Folklore and Ashes Against The Grain is at the perfect place, at the perfect time.

At 9/8/10 07:21 PM, mPatt50 wrote: Sick club. I think I will join. I like Slipknot, Devildriver, Chimaria, Slayer, Demon Hunter, Korn, and others that don't pop to mind.

Ummm...yeah, that list won't be accepted by one of the horsemen. In the Hell, most members don't consider Slipknot or Korn metal. Or Demon Hunter if I think about it. Basically, the Hell does not consider nu-metal or metalcore to be actually "metal." Sorry, try again.

Agalloch is great. I love them.

At 9/8/10 07:11 PM, Zodir wrote: The Mantle is their best work, IMO.

I agree

At 9/7/10 08:29 PM, LoKoCoCo wrote: Hello fellow Metalheads.

another one? Are you all together or what? anyway, welcome.

At 9/7/10 11:01 PM, Valjylmyr wrote: I'd prefer just Val.

It's good that you prefer it, cuz I would have called you that, anyway.

At 9/8/10 07:21 PM, mPatt50 wrote: Sick club. I think I will join. I like Slipknot, Devildriver, Chimaria, Slayer, Demon Hunter, Korn, and others that don't pop to mind.

nope

At 9/8/10 08:32 PM, razorbladesigh wrote: I know it's very likely, but you guys heard of Jag Panzer? They're pretty good, in my opinion.

Yeah, I have all their stuff. Great power metal. Personally, I like Mechanized Warfare the best, but all their albums kick ass.

Let's ditch all the petty bickering over who knows what, and let's instead change the subject to the fact that MIKE FUCKING PORTNOY JUST LEFT DREAM THEATER

At 9/8/10 08:32 PM, razorbladesigh wrote: I know it's very likely, but you guys heard of Jag Panzer? They're pretty good, in my opinion.

I've been meaning to check them out for a very long time now.

At 9/8/10 08:47 PM, D3NTATUS wrote: MIKE FUCKING PORTNOY JUST LEFT DREAM THEATER

This was unexpected. I always thought Dream Theater would fall if any of the original founding members left. I never expected Portnoy to leave Dream Theater like that. I'm not sure if the band can go on without him.

At 9/8/10 08:47 PM, D3NTATUS wrote: Let's ditch all the petty bickering over who knows what, and let's instead change the subject to the fact that MIKE FUCKING PORTNOY JUST LEFT DREAM THEATER

Good fucking riddance. This just sums up everything wrong with him:
... the band I founded, led...

DT without Mike being some media whore will be far better off. And they'd be even better off if they quit now and pretended they've released nothing in the last 10 years.

Exaggeration, obviously. Octavarium is a choon.

At 9/8/10 08:47 PM, D3NTATUS wrote: Let's ditch all the petty bickering over who knows what, and let's instead change the subject to the fact that MIKE FUCKING PORTNOY JUST LEFT DREAM THEATER

Wow really? I REALLY did not expect that. Oh well, every band has their good run.

So... he co-founded one of the most legendary bands of metal... and will finish his career as a douchecore drummer. What a fucking pity... I hope he gets hit by a fucking truck and die. That would save him all the fucking shame of playing with all these pathetic teenagers...

At 9/8/10 10:29 PM, HeavenDuff wrote: So... he co-founded one of the most legendary bands of metal... and will finish his career as a douchecore drummer. What a fucking pity... I hope he gets hit by a fucking truck and die. That would save him all the fucking shame of playing with all these pathetic teenagers...

He's become a massive ego-maniac the last few years. To me it comes as little suprise. I'm shocked he's actually left them for good - as opposed to just doing other things as well. And really thats the only sad part, because despite how much of a cock he's become he's still the came guy whose put the drums down on all those great tracks and albums of theirs, and how the fuck do the other guys in the band replace Mike Portnoy? A new guy coming in or some other legendary drummer just wouldn't be right. They got away with it with Kevin Moore, but that was so early in their history.

But Dream Theater have never been cool and as hard as they've tried recently to make it in the mainstream its just never going to happen. Besides Mike and Jordan they're the least charismatic band imaginable. They're a band for nerds. So I imagine Mike is after some of that side-fringed-vag or something.

I just read the full post of his.
He really is a pompous dick. It's full of 'DT are my band (hey did you know my dad named us/I oversaw everything/I gave so much I'm dead and all the others are lazy cunts)' and pretty much blaming the others and making it seem as though he's been forced out.

Maybe I'm just biased and reading it like given I blame him for their recent dreadfulness.

Anyone hear about Dark Funeral's bassist and vocalist leaving the band? It's a sad day for me. :(

At 9/8/10 11:30 PM, greensucksbluerules wrote:

At 9/8/10 08:47 PM, D3NTATUS wrote: Let's ditch all the petty bickering over who knows what, and let's instead change the subject to the fact that MIKE FUCKING PORTNOY JUST LEFT DREAM THEATER

Isn't that like Lars Ulrich leaving Metallica?
It's your band, why the fuck would you leave it?

There's a difference, lars can be replaced by anyone - portnoy can not.

To be honest i'm SURPRISED that it was portnoy who left the band, if I honestly had to place my bets on one member leaving it would've been petrucci. (Based off how bored he looks live)

Anyway, in much more positive news: BLIND GUARDIAN NORTH AMERICA TOUR!

At 9/8/10 07:38 PM, HeavenDuff wrote: But their riffs are heavy and they hit hard. If you don't like the word agressive, let's say "heavy". Good?

Eh, not really. I mean, they're metal so yeah they're heavy at least. I just don't think their stuff hits as hard as you say. Both Pale Folklore and Ashes sound quite rockish to me, and especially Pale Folklore with the weakness of the mix. I know for a fact that the mixing on the album was a stylistic approach but it still weakens it a bit, not in quality just in punch. They're often considered a gateway black metal band for a very clear reason. And I don't consider that a bad thing at all like it seems you might think, I still like the band and look forward to any future albums.

Ok, whatever. Let's make a new genre classification for them then.

It's not really necessary. Dark metal covers them pretty well. I even think I remember John Haughm saying in an interview that if he had to put a genre on it that's what it would be.

They play atmospheric metal. And while the same riff can be played over and over, it helps building up the atmosphere. There's not a single note on Ashes Against The Grain that is placed randomly.

And I love a lot of their atmosphere. The Misshapen Steed, This White Mountain, fuck the entire White ep is brilliant. I just don't like Our Fortress is Burning and Fire Above, Ice Below as much as the other tracks. They're not bad by any stretch, just not as good as the rest of the stuff on the album.

Agalloch is my favorite band. And I never get tired of their music. Everything by them, especially on Pale Folklore and Ashes Against The Grain is at the perfect place, at the perfect time.

I thought this too at one point which is why I brought all of this up. It's clear we disagree but I'm not exactly trying to come to an agreement on anything. I'm just trying to provide a different perspective on Agalloch as a band because they're what's being talked about right now.

At 9/8/10 11:24 PM, smeagol1 wrote: Anyone hear about Dark Funeral's bassist and vocalist leaving the band? It's a sad day for me. :(

I heard about that a while ago. That is quite a shame. Also Portnoy leaving is pretty bad too.

At 9/8/10 08:47 PM, D3NTATUS wrote: Let's ditch all the petty bickering over who knows what, and let's instead change the subject to the fact that MIKE FUCKING PORTNOY JUST LEFT DREAM THEATER

My bro told me about that. I can't believe it. I don't think they can get a drummer to match his mastery of the kit. I wonder what's in the store for them in the near future. Speaking of Dream Theater, I've listened to Train of Thought and I like it. My bro recommended it to me because he said it's one of their more guitar heavy albums. John Petrucci is shredding it up as usual.

At 9/8/10 09:07 PM, Nev wrote: And they'd be even better off if they quit now

I strongly agree with this statement. I just can't see Dream Theater working out with the absence of Portnoy. Them making albums without Portnoy will be another Blaze-era Maiden. Come to think about it, he'll probably return sooner or later but not for the time being.

At 9/8/10 09:37 PM, razorbladesigh wrote:

At 9/8/10 09:01 PM, Bahamut wrote:

At 9/8/10 08:32 PM, razorbladesigh wrote: I know it's very likely, but you guys heard of Jag Panzer? They're pretty good, in my opinion.

I've been meaning to check them out for a very long time now.

Well, get on that shit, dude. You'll like them.

Got any examples?

At 9/9/10 12:12 AM, AniMetal wrote: There's a difference, lars can be replaced by anyone - portnoy can not.

Exactly! Lars leaving Metallica would be no big loss. Infact, I wish he was never in the band in the first place.

Well, DT is officially dead. I still haven't even listened to Systematic Chaos or Black Clouds, but I heard one song from Black Clouds that I swear could be on the fucking radio between some pop/alt rock bullshit.

If Portnoy joins those A7X queers, then fuck him and his waste of immense talent.

At 9/9/10 08:25 AM, CapnCrunchDaPimp wrote: Speaking of Dream Theater, I've listened to Train of Thought and I like it.

Train of Thought has some awesomeness in there, but there's a lot I don't like as well.

At 9/9/10 02:10 AM, greensucksbluerules wrote: ironic

The use of words expressing something other than their literal intentiooon!
*closes dictionary*
Now THAAAT. IIIIS. IIIRONYYY!

or incongruity between what is expected to be and what actually is

Dream Theater should put Joey Jordison on Mike's place. Joey really deserves a good band to play on,,,