AGALLOCH
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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW (2025)
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First breaking into the consciousness of the underground metal scene with their stunning 1999 debut album Pale Folklore, Portland’s Agalloch quickly proved to be one of the more impressive North American black metal bands and one whose appeal seemed to easily transcend boundaries. Their effective use of folk traits, nature inspirations, and some notable Nordic musical influences undoubtedly helped them win over European audiences at a time when USBM was still a very niche movement, while also managing to win over fans from the worlds of doom and folk metal.
In 2016, after four more acclaimed albums, the band shocked many by announcing their plans to cease activities – apparently permanently. Fortunately, this would be the beginning of a temporary hiatus, one that ended in 2023 with a highly publicised return at Germany’s Prophecy Fest. Live performances have been notably sporadic since, but the band are currently gearing up for a significant series of shows, first touring the US alongside Norwegian legends Emperor, then heading to the UK to headline this year’s Fortress Festival in Scarborough. Cult Never Dies hadn’t spoken with the band since working together on their chapter in the extended Black Metal: Evolution of the Cult book (publicly anyway), so we helpfully interrupted their preparations to have a short conversation with vocalist/guitarist John Haughm, and bass player Jason William Walton.
Cult Never Dies: It’s good to see you returning to the stage and, of course, to the UK. At what point did you first become aware of Fortress Festival, and what made you accept the offer?
Jason William Walton: “I had heard about Fortress Festival in passing a few times, mostly when my friends in Panopticon played it. I heard that the grounds are stunning, and it was really well run. Tanner Anderson of Obsequiae and Panopticon texted me some photos of the venue and the grounds when he was over there – he really enjoyed the festival and raved about the sights nearby. Tanner thought that if Agalloch had the chance to perform there, we should do it. We have never performed that far north in England before, and it seemed like an appropriate and unique experience for us. When the offer came in to perform, the timing was right, so we jumped on it.”
What is your experience of playing in the UK, and do you have any thoughts on it from a musician’s perspective, or indeed just as a traveller?
John Haughm: “I always love visiting and playing in the UK. It’s been ten years since our last appearance, so I’m looking forward to returning!”
Jason William Walton: “The UK has always been one of my favourite destinations, and I am very happy to return to see many old friends. Unfortunately, Agalloch has not played very much in the UK – a few shows here and there, but not as much as we’d like. We always love immersing ourselves in the culture, history, and, of course, beer that the UK has to offer.”
“I have many great memories from our limited touring that we have done in the UK, particularly with our friends in Fen. Rounds of beer, kicker, maybe singing some Whitesnake songs, touring pubs and walking gardens. We are very excited to visit a new area we have never visited or performed before.”
How do you go about putting together a setlist these days given your extensive back catalogue, and can you tell us anything about what you have planned for the show?
John Haughm: “Typically, we like to mix it up and do things we’ve never done before in terms of chosen songs and the setlist arrangement. I can say that this setlist will be radically different from the one we had at Prophecy Fest.”
Jason William Walton: “I won’t tell you what we have planned, but I feel like it is a nice mix, a bit different than a standard setlist you might see from us, and quite dynamic.”
Have you had a chance to check out the rest of the line-up for the two days? Are there any bands on the line-up that you are keen to see?
John Haughm: “Fortresse, Fen, Osi & The Jupiter, Suldusk, and Spirit Possession.”
Jason William Walton: “Fen and Spirit Possession. Both bands are close friends. Very much looking forward to beating Fen at kicker and enjoying a taste of home in Spirit Possession. I am also very much looking forward to checking out all the bands performing that I am not familiar with.”
You haven’t played a huge number of shows since your return. How does it feel to be back on stage, and what do live shows represent for you as a band?
Jason William Walton: “We are just playing shows that are interesting to us. Whether it be the location, the venue, the line-up... it has to be something we want to do, and we are only taking opportunities that speak to us. Performing live is a great way for us to continue to make these songs living, breathing organisms that can change and evolve over time. Each time they are performed, they transform and have a new life. Live performance is the only way to truly reconnect with the songs and the audience.”
“I am happy we are able to bring this version of Agalloch to Fortress. Our new drummer, Hunter Ginn, breathes new life, energy and blood into Agalloch, and it is immediately felt by us on stage, and by the audience.”
Looking to the future, how is it to have the band active again and what are your plans beyond this live appearance regarding new material or tours?
John Haughm: “For me, it felt like the band was always there because I continued to do design work on the reissues and merch for Eisenwald. There was also always some business that we would need to address, even years after the split, so the entity of the band was always present. Nowadays, it feels like those years of disbandment never even happened.”
Jason William Walton: “Agalloch has been a major component of who I am for many years. Having the band active again just feels natural, it feels right. Our disbandment was unfortunate, but I believe it was necessary for us to become the band that we are today. I, too, feel like the break-up never happened. It is something I never think about anymore. It was a much-needed break for us. Even though the circumstances were not ideal, and it all turned into a public ordeal, I am thankful that we were able to stop for a while and grow as musicians and people. As for the future, it is hard to say. I am focused on the present. I have learned to never say never, so we will have to wait and see regarding any new material.”
Agalloch will be on tour in North America during May with Emperor, before performing at Fortress Festival (taking place in England, May 31st and June 1st)
