All the euphoria, transcendence, and intensity in heavy sonic art bursts forth with overwhelming force from the second album by this self-described "blissful black metal" ensemble based in Los Angeles.
The Spiritual Sound combines immense heaviness with imaginative detailing. Lead single Bodhidharma propels along a riff fit for a motorcycle crew, then a blast of noise and shrieking heralds a melancholic atmospheric rock bridge section. The often-criticized technique of the virtuosic guitar solo is brilliantly revived by guitarist Richard Chowenhill, whose soloing here and on highlight the song Flea will have you levitating with joy – but then the calm ballad Hallelujah showcases descending guitar melodies played with youthful innocence.
Tracks like Micah (5.15.am) and the song Serenity are fast-paced punk rock, but the piece Dan’s Love Song is without percussion and has glacial Sunn O)))-style fuzz rumbling underneath its ethereal beauty. Black metal melodies can often be either nonexistent or too complex, but Agriculture’s riffs and hooks are bright and original, and closer the song The Reply even evokes a much heavier Radiohead.
Listeners who enjoy experimental metal acts similar artists will probably love all this dynamic shifting and fearlessly beautiful sound, especially because Agriculture also feature two divergent vocal styles, split here across two singers. Dan Meyer adds sporadic melodic vocals, yet the standout is Leah Levinson, whose voice quivers on Bodhidharma but fiercely howling on other songs.
In typical black metal fashion, it's difficult to make out the words she sings, but they’re worth seeking out: the stories she sings about suicidal friends and anti-LGBTQ bigotry are heart-wrenching, as is her quest for purpose in a world that relentlessly trends towards conflict.
