Review by JD on January 16, 2012.

Folk Metal always seems to hit me for two completely opposite reasons and yet oddly ends up going in the same direction in the end. One way it strikes me is to stir the musician in me who appreciates the music and atmosphere it creates. The prouder than hell metalhead side of me is quickly confused and somewhat put off by it. Yet Folk Metal oddly ends up intriguing me and makes me still listen to it.

Scotland based Falloch is a two man outfit that plays a sort of Progressive style Folk Metal that instantly is impressive as hell. Reminding me of such acts like Agalloch, Norway’s Extol and even Iceland’s masters Solstafir, Falloch hold this strong sense of style like no other. Weaving a blend of intense emotions of bleakness, the heavy yoke of a gravely deep sorrow with this low thundering intense metal attack into one titanic wave of sonic intensity that oozes every shred of heart they put into it.

Each track on the album seems to live and breath as if brought to light. Songs like the monumental pondering lyrics of 'We Are Gathering Dust' to the reflective horror of 'To Walk Amongst The Dead' shows off a band that are on half metallers and one part philosophers with seasonings of master musicians. Intensity tempered with haunting visions make Falloch a band for the new millennium.

Folk Metal is not always accessible for most, but I have to say that this Scottish duo has made strides for that to happen. When metal and dynamic musicianship end up mixing anything is possible and Falloch "Where The Distant Spirits Remain" is that bridge between the sub-genres and music as a whole.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship:10
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 8.5
Originality: 8.5
Overall: 9

Rating: 9.0 out of 10

Review by Adam M on August 22, 2011.

Falloch plays a brand of Atmospheric Metal that recalls the likes of Agalloch prior to their last album "Marrow Of The Spirit". It brings back memories of what made albums like "Pale Folklore" and "The Mantle" so special when they emphasized subtlety and emotion throughout the entire length of the album to create an emotional atmosphere.

"Where Distant Spirits Remain", is the new bearer of Agalloch's torch for me because it offers a wholly inspirational attempt to bring an established sound back to the forefront without forgetting about the addition of unique elements to the overall sound. Every track on this album is beautiful and haunting, but has enough drive to maintain interest. The metallic portions don’t have as much of a Black Metal influence as Agalloch’s latest and rather cruise along and grip the listener as much as the lighter acoustic ones. The atmosphere of the music also recalls the likes of Anathema during their best period around "Judgement" and "Alternative 4", which is a huge compliment. The music does have quite as many moments of pure brilliance as those albums, but there are some true high points on the release.

Take for example the track 'To Walk Amongst The Dead' which is constructed to perfection and features no moments that drag during its long running time. Elsewhere, there are great segments scattered about with slight lulls here and there. Still, if anyone has been searching for a moving Atmospheric Metal release, this is one of the stronger ones I’ve heard in quite some time. This is worthwhile material to the core.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 8.5
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 8.5
Originality: 7.5
Overall: 8.5

Rating:8.4 out of 10