Full Album (err, EP) Stream: Faustian Echoes by Agalloch

Ever since I laid my ears on the masterpiece The Mantle by North American black metal band Agalloch they thrust themselves into the top echelon of my favorite bands.  Their ability to get such deep feelings of nature and the Earth into their music is pure bliss to my ears.  While many of their lyrics deal with melancholy, sorrow, and loss there is a feel to the music that radiates with beauty, hope, and love creating a wonderful balance of emotions.

They have just released a new E.P. and made it available for all to hear.  Faustian Echoes takes inspiration from the literary masterwork, Faust by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and features some of the heaviest and darkest music Agalloch has written to date.  Recorded as a single track passing the 20 minute mark there is a lot to absorb and listen to in this E.P.  I really enjoy the voice-overs reading sections ofFaust in between the different suites of the tune.  They really add to the narrative of the tune and give it a darker and more intense feel.  But enough talk.  Crank up your radio, zone out, and escape to the world of Agalloch.  Let us know what you thought in the comments.  Enjoy!  Peace Love and Metal!!!