The Serpent & the Sphere
Agalloch · 2014
59 min · 9 tracks · black metal
A sprawling journey through atmospheric soundscapes, merging black metal ferocity with haunting folk melodies.
Top tracks — play these first
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Birth and Death of the Pillars of Creation — This opening track sets the tone for the entire album with its lengthy exploration of dynamic shifts, from serene passages to intense climaxes, embodying Agalloch's signature style.
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The Astral Dialogue — This track showcases intricate melodic work and ethereal vocals, encapsulating the band's ability to intertwine heavy elements with delicate harmonies.
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Plateau of the Ages — As one of the longest tracks on the album, it epitomizes Agalloch's expansive storytelling through music, blending atmospheric layers with a profound sense of progression.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's ambitious structure and blend of styles create a compelling listening experience.
What we noticed
- The album features lengthy tracks, with most exceeding six minutes, allowing for extended atmospheric build-ups and transitions.
- Several tracks incorporate acoustic guitar and clean vocals alongside the harsher black metal elements, creating a dynamic contrast.
- The use of ambient interludes, such as '(serpens caput)' and '(serpens cauda)', provides breathing space between heavier compositions.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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8/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic exploration of themes
- haunting melodies for introspection
- wave-like pacing with depth
- sprawling soundscapes for immersion
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of instant gratification
- prefer concise standalone tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- The Serpent & the Sphere is Agalloch's fourth studio album, released in 2014, following their critically acclaimed record Marrow of the Spirit in 2010. At this point, the band had solidified their place within the atmospheric black metal scene, and this album further explored their unique blend of genres while continuing to develop their thematic depth and sonic complexity.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Alcest· Wolves in the Throne Room· Opeth
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Birth and Death of the Pillars of Creation 10:28
- 2 (serpens caput) 3:06
- 3 The Astral Dialogue 5:11
- 4 Dark Matter Gods 8:35
- 5 Celestial Effigy 6:59
- 6 Cor Serpentis (the sphere) 2:58
- 7 Vales Beyond Dimension 6:48
- 8 Plateau of the Ages 12:26
- 9 (serpens cauda) 3:12
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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