Agriculture – “In The House of Angel Flesh”

Photo by Sean Stout

They’ve pummeled the notion into your head by now that their vision for black metal is one that reaches “ecstatic” heights, and while some artists have habit of leaning too much into self-descriptors for the sake of gimmickry, Agriculture wholly reap what they sew on “In The House of Angel Flesh”. The latest highlight from their forthcoming extended play, Living Is Easy, embraces the open arms of community, as long as you are open to them. A rush of emotion it is. It’s no easy feat writing music as heavy as the Los Angeles four-piece does ascending beyond an act of joy while ripping through skylines, but through its surging current of encouraging energy in the lyrical outlines of Camellia, Tomato, Georgia, and Rosemary with affirmation and support, Agriculture create a corner in the cosmos where that searing sound coexists with blinding sunlight. Life’s storms always threaten to disrupt those highs, with the listen’s third part going toe to toe with metallic lightning to remind you of that, but that’s part of the lesson here: “Happiness will never be a constant state of being / You find hope in brief, slipping grasps at revelation.” And they’ll come to you in the form of a helping hand, to ourselves and others.

Agriculture’s Living is Easy will be released May 3rd on The Flenser.