So if this news wasn’t worth a Daily ‘Bang post, I don’t know what else would be. NPR has just posted a stream of The Serpent & The Sphere, the upcoming album from Portland folk-black metal heroes Agalloch–a band Corey and I will be seeing for the third and second time, respectively, at Maryland DeathFest later this month, and a band very, very near and dear to our hearts.

The Serpent and the Sphere comes three-and-a-half years after the band’s landmark fourth album, Marrow of the Spirit, and almost two after their stunning, 21-minute follow-up single, “Faustian Echoes.” (I almost feel cheap using labels like this because at this point, pretty much everything this band does feels like “a landmark” or “stunning;” it’s just a formality at this point.) Suffice it to say, it’s been far too long since Agalloch last graced us with their presence and as such, there’s little doubt that The Serpent & The Sphere will be the talk of the metal blogosphere before long–regardless of its quality.

Corey and I won’t be discussing this one on the podcast until its official release next week, but in the meantime, take a listen here to prepare yourselves.

-Dan

Live. Love. Plow. Horns Up.