Agalloch

Agalloch is probably the best folk metal band out there. It's been four years since the monumental release Ashes Against the Grain chilled listeners with its bleak soundscapes and transcendental lyrical themes, but the reclusive Oregonians are posied to retake the metal community by storm with the upcoming Marrow of the Spirit.

Check out new track "The Watcher's Monolith" over at Stereogum. The song features a beautiful piano coda, atmospheric electric and acoustic swells, John Haughm's black metal rasp, and rather, um, monolithic drumming from new member Aesop Dekker. Judging from "The Watcher's Monolith," we got ourselves a serious contender for metal album of the year here.

Marrow of the Spirit drops November 23rd.