So my experience with Agalloch thus far has been really gratifying.
Starting with Pale Folklore, I really enjoyed the folk elements juxtaposed with Ulver-style melodic black metal.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gY2VWSk3uFo
I was slightly underwhelmed by The Mantle. I thought the clean vocals were a bit lacking in something, but there were a lot of great expansions on the Pale Folklore sound, making it much slower and atmospheric.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dnu_kI3eII
Ashes Against the Grain was (for me) what The Mantle was trying to do, but done much better. Upped production values, better songwriting, et cetera.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3McvtNgLGM
Soon my experience with this band will conclude with Marrow of the Spirit, and I'm very excited.