Photo by Math Erao

There’s a propensity to connect extreme and black metals to all-out nihilism. Agriculture, the Los Angeles-based four-piece of bassist and vocalist Leah Levinson, percussionist Kern Haug, guitarists Daniel Meyer-O’Keeffe and Richard Chowenhill, are an anomaly in the realm, refuting the notion and opting instead for jubilation in being alive. “Look, Pt. 1″, the lead single from the band’s upcoming self-titled debut full-length, asks of its listeners to peer out into the sea in its symbolism of mother and child alone on the beach and to acknowledge its vastness over us. The power of the tide is heard through the roar which Agriculture pull into view, only to be usurped into a state of pure ecstatic by a twist of sax courtesy of Patrick Shiroishi serving as its ultimate a-ha moment. “Bright eyes / Opened up by mighty hands / The well was always there/ ‘Fill the skin and give the boy a drink.’“ The water from which Agriculture submerge themselves is all-healing.

Agriculture’s Agriculture will be released July 21st on The Flenser.