With:	Don Anderson [guitars, piano, songwriting]
Conducted by:	Dream Taster
Published:	20.01.2005
Band profile:	Agalloch
Album info:	The Mantle

01. A Celebration For The Death Of Man...
02. In The Shadow Of Our Pale Companion
03. Odal
04. I Am The Wooden Doors
05. The Lodge
06. You Were But A Ghost In My Arms
07. The Hawthorne Passage
08. ...And The Great Cold Death Of The Earth
09. A Desolation Song

01. A Celebration For The Death Of Man:
This is the main theme of The Mantle and repeats throughout the record at key moments. We typically think of humankind as a disease on the planet. This idea is representative of our inherent self-destruction.

02. In The Shadow Of Our Pale Companion:
I feel that this song is the best we have written together. All of our influences are evident. We even reference the Italian film composer, Ennio Morricone in the middle. I think this is the ideal Agalloch song, and represents everything we stand for musically and lyrically.

03. Odal:
A new approach to songwriting with a definite Godspeed You Black Emperor! influence. We were interested in attempting a new Agallochian vibe with this song.

04. I Am The Wooden Doors:
One of the first songs written for The Mantle, so it is not too far from the music on Pale Folklore.

05. The Lodge:
Not my favorite song on the album. This is more of a transition piece. The Mantle is meant to be listened to with headphones from start to finish without interruption. I think this song is best in context.

06. You Were But A Ghost In My Arms:
Another very early song, you can definitely hear Pale Folklore here.

07. The Hawthorne Passage:
This is a complex song because we were trying to make some bold steps while also attempting to convey the sensations of driving late at night in Portland. The Mantle has a strong city vibe, and this song captures that well I think. Our points of departure were Pink Floyd, Nick Cave, and Mono. The samples of cars were taken from underneath one of Portland's mighty bridges. I also tried to play a blues guitar solo, I think it went ok.

08. ?And The Great Cold Death Of The Earth:
Some diseases are irreversible.

09. A Desolation Song:
When all hope is lost and you have nowhere to go? This song was written as an accompaniment for people to drink themselves to death. "Tip the cup, feed the fire."