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Agalloch
Interview: Saqrangel
Answers: John Haughm (guitar/voice)
With reason of the releasing
of the new album ' Marrow of the Spirit', I contacted with John Haughm,
founder of Agalloch, band that has soaked and expanded by the whole
world underground, he speaks us about the new album, the why they
changed label and other details...
Hello John, Let’s starts
talking about old time. Which was the first band who introduces you into
extreme dark music? And which is Agalloch's history?
My first exposure to extreme dark music was Slayer "Hell Awaits" in
1987. The bands that influenced Agalloch the most in the early days were
Ulver, In The Woods, Bathory, Fields Of The Nephilim, Katatonia, and old
Sentenced (North From Here era).
15 years of history already almost passed, now you are a cult band
inside the dark music, with fans around the world. In the beginnings how
you imagined the future of the band?
We are much more popular which is not what I ever expected. I have
always been more interested in keeping in the shadows and we've never
hyped up what we do. We barely advertised our demos. It was all by word
of mouth which was great. So yeah, back then I assumed we would've
released one or two albums on a small label and then disappeared into
total obscurity - and I would've been happy with that.
Well, about the new album, the answer of press means and fans have been
very good, inclusive 'Marrow of the Spirit' already is being talked by
many alternative websites as one of the highlight releases of the year
2010. What do you think about it?
I think there is a lot of unnecessary hype. I have no interest in making
top 10 ten lists or any of that rubbish. I just want to make music and
if people like it, fine. If they hate it, fine.
Now you have new label. Which was the reason of the change? Why did
you sign with Profound Lore Record?
We needed to get away from an all-controlling label and be a bit more
independent. We wanted to control all aspects of the band - the
merchandise, the recording ownership - everything. Profound Lore gave
granted us these wishes, while at the same time allowing us to
distribute our music at a higher level than if we would have self-released
the album.
 'Pale
Folklore' may be associated with black metal, 'The Mantle' with folk,
and 'Ashes Against The Grain' with post-rock/metal, now I think that the
new album fuses all your musical history with emphasis in the beginnings.
Do you agree?
I don't care to look at the albums in this way. All of our albums
represent Agalloch's diverse style in an individual way based on the
people we were at the time of their respective creation. ‘Marrow Of The
Spirit’ was created with maybe more of a Kraurock influence - but I
tried very much to let all outside influences go and instead create from
a more pure perspective.
In ‘Marrow of the Spirit’ I perceive more darkness than 'Ashes
Against The Grain', but it also possesses the hardest sections. What you
really wanted to express with this album?
Everything was natural expression. There was no planning while we were
writing the material. This is probably why the album is so diverse from
song to song.
I think that Aesop
Dekker has contributed with aggressiveness in the new album! Tell us
more about him. Are you according with their development? He is the
drummer of another fantastic band, Ludicra. When we parted ways with our
last drummer, we invited Aesop to join and he was a great fit,
stylistically and personally.
Your lyrics generally
embrace topics related to the nature, winter, autumnal and gray
landscapes. I have understood that your environment has influenced in it.
Is this true?
Yes but also my state of mind and imagination play into more than simple
"nature worship". There is a lot more that goes into my lyrics than
sitting out in the woods with a joint and a notebook, you know? My
lyrics take time and sometimes a special moment to find the right
phrases or expressive words. That moment can happen anywhere. I wrote
most of the lyrics for this album in Romania, actually.
 The
sound of the cello and the stream, that is 'They Escaped the Weight of
Darkness', a sad composition. What is there behind this song?
It begins the journey. It connects also with the cover painting. Almost
like a soundtrack to the artwork.
Changing topic, where
do you think that your music is
more appreciated? Europe or
EE.UU.?
We seem to be appreciated everywhere. From the USA to Europe to South
America to Japan to Australia to the Middle East....we receive fan
letters from all over the world.
You have many followers scattered in
South America. At some time you would like to play for these lands?
Yes, absolutely.
Do you know something
of Peru?
My girlfriend and I have always wanted to visit Machu Picchu. Beyond
that, I don't really know too much about Peru. I think there is a very
dark extreme Black Metal scene there, am I right?
Before finishing, for
all those who didn’t have listened your stuff, could you describe the
Agalloch's music/concept?
I would prefer that people just listen for themselves. Future plans
and last words… Some tours and then back into writing mode for album #5.
Official website:
www.agalloch.org
MySpace:
www.myspace.com/agalloch
Label:
www.profoundlorerecords.com
December, 2010.
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