Three Agalloch members have left the Portland metal outfit, with the band then being put on hiatus by sole remaining member John Haughm.
After more than 20 years pushing the boundaries with their blend of progressive, ambient and folk inspired metal, the band appear to have bowed out in somewhat confusing fashion.
In a Facebook post last Friday the band said: “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. What the future holds for the separate parties remains undetermined. We collectively thank all of our fans across the world. There are also way too many other people to thank who made this band possible. You know who you are.”
However, just a couple of days later, founding member and guitarist/vocalist John Haughm posted another update, seemingly to say that the band hasn’t officially broken up, just the other three members have left.
In the post John said: “After being inundated by a barrage of responses, I feel that I should clarify some things. I take full responsibility for the decision to part ways with the other guys. It was difficult, well thought-out, and something that had been culminating over the past couple of years. I simply could not continue any further with the band as it was. I had to make a change as my motivation and inspiration had started to completely deteriorate. Whether this is the permanent end of Agalloch altogether or a possible fresh start, I don’t know. I probably won’t know for awhile. The band has simply been reduced back to its founding member for the first time in 20 years. Beyond that, the future is unknown.”
Draw from that what you will, but it sounds like the other three were essentially fired. More details are sure to come out soon, just don’t be expecting much new Agalloch material in the near future.
