Salve. First of all, let me bore you with yet one more "history question" - although it's not me but you who should answer it, you see... How and when have AGALLOCH spawned to these earthly realms and who are characters behind the band?

H: AGALLOCH started in late 1995 when AEOLACHRYMAE split into 3 bands (AGALLOCH, SUSURRUS INANIS, and NOTHING). The lineup has always been the same and consists of 4 individuals - Haughm, Anderson, Breyer, and J. William W.

How has the reception of the new album been so far?

H: Suprisingly good even though I think most people don't "get it". I don't really put much stock in reviews that moan on and on about how great the album is when they can't even figure out that the first 3 indexes on the CD are for the first song. Overall, however, I'm satisfied with the response.

Compare the AGALLOCH of the "Pale Folklore" with those of your older recordings. What kind of changes have been brought about in the meantime lyrically and musically?

A: I think we have sucessfully melded our many influences into one single entity. The earlier works were, in my opinion, a little too close to certain styles of Metal. One thing that makes AGALLOCH special, nowadays, is the employment of non-metal influences, which is something that sadly too many bands do not do.

H: We've obviously progressed. Our "From Which Of This Oak" demo is okay but it is completely crushed by our album. Even our forgotten 7" ep is much better than the demo. Our next album will also be an advancement. Otherwise, what would be the point?! Also, our musical tastes and composing techniques have changed over the years and the result can be heard throughout our releases.

Let me wonder about the "Pale Folklore" layout... Seems like it has something to do with certain kind of concept hidden behind the colorful appearance... These winter landscapes as well as some gloomy dark-red interiors... Erh...

H: Yes, of course I wanted packaging that would compliment the recording. I decided that a wooden look would fit for the outside of the CD. It's warm and inviting. Then, inside the booklet contains wintery photographs glazed with a blue filter to achieve a colder feeling. I also didn't want "Pale Folklore" to look like a typical metal album. This attitude of ours will carry on with further AGALLOCH albums....

Could you please enlighten us on the subject of thy image? I doubt if all these photos were done occasionally... especially the one with J. William W. "wearing" horns...

A: The photos were all planned out and we had a very specific aura in mind. We drove many miles to take photos in the infamous "Shining" hotel. Inside this lodge was a warm, golden atmosphere filled with an enormous fireplace as well as the smell of good food and beer. It was like a meditative sanctuary from the brutal winter weather. AGALLOCH fills me with the same sort of warmth, as well as the cold. But, it is the warmth of the certain passages in the album that fill me with a reflective solitude and solace.

H: I actually had the pictures of myself and J. William in mind two years before the album came out. I hoped to achieve a somber mood with my picture (staring out of the window). With JWW, I hoped to create a creepy sort of foresty image. I think the deer skull worked well.

Is there any special way either to compose the creations of yours or to record the stuff that is already completed musically and ideologically? Is there any particular preparation before the recordings?

H: .......4-tracking, re-working, rehearsing, and planning.

Who is responsible for those stunning female voice passages featured on "Pale Folklore"?

A: Thank you, that was my girlfriend.

Are the relations between AGALLOCH and The End Records satisfying enough? What is your personal view on the Russian bands they have signed so far?

A: I think relations are very good, but there are always minuses and pluses to every situation. But, I feel that the pluses far outweight the minuses, and I would not want to be on any other label right now. Haughm probably feels different. I really think MENTAL HOME's last album "Black Art" was very good. I don't care for NOKTURNAL MORTUM's music and I think everything they say in interviews is stupid and full of bullshit. I can't stand the closemindedness of the black metal scene.

H: Yeah, The End is a good label. Of course, they have their imperfections and I wish they could give a bigger budget, but they have done a pretty decent job with us nevertheless. I'm not a big fan of most of the bands on the label - which includes MENTAL HOME and NOKTURNAL MORTUM.

Could you describe, by using the words of your own, your spiritual world?

A: Not with words...that is why we write music.

H: ...and write lyrics.

What are your opinions on religion - does AGALLOCH have a religious or anti-religious stance?

H: I'd say we have more of an indifferent stance.....

A: I certainly have nothing against any religion, but I certainly can not tolerate any sort of religious solicitation. People should be left alone to find their own beliefs and spiritual support. AGALLOCH does not have any religious overtones, because music, in my opinion, transcends that.

What about 'Do what thou wilt' motto? You see, it seems to be really weird that it's considered to be okay in general, but if the same thing - and I mean just the same thing - is put into other words and is related to satanism, then it somehow isn't okay anymore although the same attitude is behind it...

A: What I find strange is that no one seems to remember the last half of Crowley's phrase, which is "...love is the law, love under will." Do what thou wilt with responsibility to yourself and others is more accurately said in my opinion.

Which would be your response to someone that would attempt to impose you his own oppressive code of life under the excuse that 'thus you will save your soul'?

H: I just ignore them.

Do you know anything regarding Russia? What is your attitude to the country of mine as well as it's people? Any Russian bands you've heard lately?

H: Well....I spent a day in a post-soviet country (Estonia) last April and it was interesting. Although it was a bit dirty and the people were mostly assholes, it was nice to see the beautiful architecture and feel the dismal atmosphere of the older parts of Tallinn.

A: I am a big fan of many Russian composers such as Shostakovich, Prokofiev, the Estonian-Arvo Part, Alfred Schnittke, Gubaidulina, and Edison Densiov. I am not very knowledgable on the culture or people.

Well, that`s about it. Now you have the opportunity to tell something what`s in the future for AGALLOCH, advertise any merchandise that you may have, send greetings etc...

H: I have nothing else to add...

AGALLOCH contact -
Email: oakenthrone@hotmail.com