Photo by Math Erao

In all its beauty, humans must also know to respect nature. The ocean in itself is reason why: A vast, infinitely picturesque view from land, and yet, beyond a certain point, a commanding terror that has the power to consume anything that enters its waters. Agriculture test these limits on “The Glory of the Ocean”, the second preview from the rising ecstatic black metal band’s self-titled debut full-length. The eight-minute listen divides itself into these thresholds, initially tip-toeing into gentle waters under the glint of the sun and the safety of shorelines before swimming further out. There, waves crash harder and eventually, riptides pull you out further. You are now at its mercy, waters amplified in the flurry of coarse electricity of guitarists Daniel Meyer-O’Keeffe and Richard Chowenhill, and Kern Haug’s relentless pummeling an expontential intensity behind its forces. “Yes! / This it! / This is the ocean! / My body – give it away!,” screams bassist and vocalist Leah Levinson, as if to acknowledge a sacrifice of sorts – letting go of one vessel to become one with another of greater power.

Directed by: Sofia Caneles

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