The Serpent & the Sphere
by Agalloch
User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 25 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 25
  3. Negative: 1 out of 25
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  1. diendjap
    May 24, 2014
    6
    While this album is not bad, it feels way too monotonous compared to their previous works, it's as if the band has completely forgotten what made them an enjoyable experience in the first place: the atmosphere. Two standouts are: Celestial Effigy and Plateau of the Ages, other songs are way too washed out.
  2. Kevbo85
    Jun 6, 2014
    6
    I can make a variety of claims as to why this record isn't quite what I expected, but the one that instantly comes to mind is "too safe". It's far too safe. Agalloch really stepped outside of themselves on "Ashes Against The Grain" and again on "Marrow Of The Spirit", but this honestly sounds like regression. If this is what the band was going for, more power to them. I do enjoy theI can make a variety of claims as to why this record isn't quite what I expected, but the one that instantly comes to mind is "too safe". It's far too safe. Agalloch really stepped outside of themselves on "Ashes Against The Grain" and again on "Marrow Of The Spirit", but this honestly sounds like regression. If this is what the band was going for, more power to them. I do enjoy the record, but it's difficult not to reach for one of the other two I just mentioned when I want to hear this band. For one clear reason, this just doesn't stand up to the others.… Expand
  3. gerrisson
    Jan 28, 2015
    5
    The critic rave review is misleading, am a big Agalloch fan but this is one of Agalloch's weakest albums . Monotonous and rather pedestrian, far less ambitious than Ashes Against The Grain or the The Mantle!
    First few listens I was disappointed, I gave it time with repeat listens, still it didn't grow on me.
  4. BrushedRed
    Sep 5, 2015
    9
    Not as big of a departure as it's made out to be. The songs are still beautiful and filled with great soundscapes and vocals. Appreciate it for what it is and not for their previous albums. One of my favorites from last year

Awards & Rankings

31
#31 Best Album of 2014

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
84

Universal acclaim - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. Austin Chronicle
    Jun 26, 2014
    89
    Boasting enough insidious imagination to evolve beyond easy metallic labels, Agalloch transports The Serpent and the Sphere into its own phantasmagoric astral plane.
    Read full review
  2. Kerrang!
    Jun 18, 2014
    80
    When Agalloch's majesty comes, the slow unfolding is more than worth the wait. [17 May 2014, p.53]
  3. Absolute Punk (Staff reviews)
    May 27, 2014
    80
    It has all of the right things going for it to make anyone even slightly interested in metal sit up and take notice.
    Read full review
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