AGALLOCH

Yet another case of album art that provides the perfect visual companion to the music contained on the disc, the music of AGALLOCH's "The White EP" is as cold and drenched in isolation as the cover depicts. And yet there is a certain serenity to these otherwise dark, largely acoustic compositions that sucks you in and holds you there for the duration. "The last installment of two companion releases for Vendlus Records," "The White EP" follows "The Grey EP" and was written/recorded between 2004-2007. It is also limited to 2,000 copies.

As acoustic/electric guitarist Don Anderson (also of SCULPTURED) has mentioned in the past, an EP should serve as a minor statement in a band's overall discography. "Minor" perhaps only in reference to the magnum opus that is an AGALLOCH full-length, but certainly not insignificant. The seven tracks included provide a nice cross section of contributors with man main and bass/baritone guitarist John Haughm penning "Pantheist" and "Sowilo Rune", Anderson with "The Isle of Summer", "Birch Black", and "Summerisle Reprise", Chris Greene (synth) with "Hollow Stone", and Ty Brubaker and Anderson penning "Birch White". Though filled with the sounds of strumming acoustic guitars and ethereal keyboards, there is a vague in a couple of places, albeit once you've dug down through the layers of somberness and bleak mental landscapes. One can hear it most profoundly on "Birch White" with its fantastic accordion playing, courtesy of Ty Brubaker. It is also one of a handful of places during which vocals, albeit spoken and dejected (or in other cases whispers),are heard from Haughm. The inclusion of Jews Harp, Peruvian Ceremonial Horn, and Goat Horn by Veleda Thorsson results in a few ripples in the mostly still musical waters of the EP.

"The White EP" is a beautiful piece of work. The musicians have mastered the art of space in composition and use sparseness to their collective advantage. Just listen to the way the unimposing electric guitar sounds so substantial next to the acoustic guitars of "Birch Black". Looking for a change of pace, a way to kick back and relax without being reduced to tears of boredom? Grab a copy of "The White EP".