Agalloch/Obsidian Tongue/Blood And Sun, June 18th, 2014, The Triple Rock, Minneapolis, MN

As many of you reading this know, I am very fortuneate to be able a lot of the band who come to the Twin Cities area. Unfortunately due to this show being the day of touring, an interview was not possible, but it was still a spectacular night for any Agalloch fan.

The first band up was Blood and Sun, they describe themselves as a Heathen Folk band. They were Acoustic Guitar, Cello, Violin (on half the set and Timpini (with a suspended cymbal). They were indeed as they described. to me it became to monotonous after a couple songs and with their possible and questional, hateful background (that's all the farther I will go into the topic) it made their set not enjoyable for me.

Next up was Obsidian Tongue. They are a 2 man Atmospheric Black Metal band. Just guitar/vocals and Drums. They are absolutely mindblowing live. Both of the guys know how to whip the crowd into a frenzy druing the fast sections and calm them down during the mellow passages. I do not know any of the songs they played as it was my first time seeing them and I had just discovered them, but I highly recommend checking these guys out both live and on record. It's a real treat for any Atmospheric Black metal fan.

Finally the night ended with Agalloch. It was their first time in Minnesota, to which they even said a couple songs in was a huge mistake on their part not playing here sooner. Agalloch mainly stuck to their two last albums, which to me is not disappointing as I love both of them. They did play some deepr cuts off albums like Pale Folklore and The Mantle as well, which were some of the biggest highlights to me. The biggest highlight of all was when they played Into A Painted Grey, the first song I ever heard from the band. The only disappointing factor in the show was a very annoying couple that was standing next to my girlfriend and myself. My girlfriend named them Douche Bro and Tits Magee. Both were drunk the whole Agalloch set, Tits being the bigger fan kept bumping into my girlfriend with said thingees and was cheering waaaaaaay too loudly for even the biggest Agalloch fan. Douche Bro was being what his name implied and was shouting for songs in between songs, but in stereotypical fashion it was songs like Free Bird, ...And Justice For All, and Nailed to The Cross. At one point John Hauhgm said "Sorry we don't play Free Bird anymore" but did play a riff from AJFA. Overall they put on a spectacular set. I would even dare venture to say those who don't enjoy the latest album from Agalloch, The Serpent & The Sphere, may be won over by the songs live. I know a lot of people bagging on the album before their set were won over afterwards.

Merch had a few shirts for $15, a longsleeve for $25, Vinyl for $30, CDs for 20-25 (Depending on what you got) A logo patch for $5 and a back patch for $10. I picked myself up an Agalloch shirt which I am currently wearing.

All in all if this is coming anywhere by you, I highly advise going. And get to the show early because tickets may be sold out by the time Agalloch hit the stage.

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