Influential Portland Metal Band Agalloch Breaks Up

After two decades, celebrated Portland metal band Agalloch appears to have broken up.

"Following 20 years, 5 full length albums, many tours around the world, and numerous other recordings, John Haughm and the rest of the band (Don Anderson, Jason Walton, and Aesop Dekker) have parted ways," the band wrote on its Facebook page. "What the future holds for the separate parties remains undetermined."

Agalloch are among the 21st century's most-influential and universally praised bands in metal. Throughout their career, they combined elements of black metal and neo-folk music with themes of nature and isolationism in a style that was distinctly linked to the Pacific Northwest. Their albums have been routinely rewarded with placements on year-end lists from metal and non-metal publications alike, and the band has been integral to the development of Portland's reputation as one of the best and most forward-thinking cities for heavy metal in the country.

After the initial Facebook announcement, founding member John Haughm attempted to clarify the situation with another post, suggesting he dissolved the band's current lineup and may or may not continue the project in a different form:

You can stream and purchase Agalloch's most recent music through their Bandcamp page. Read our past coverage of Agalloch here.

Willamette Week