Agriculture

Agriculture is a Los Angeles-based quartet that has redefined the boundaries of black metal through their self-coined 'ecstatic black metal' philosophy. Formed by Kern Haug and Dan Meyer after meeting in the city's noise scene, the band was later joined by Leah Levinson and Richard Chowenhill.

They rose to prominence with their 2022 EP 'The Circle Chant' and subsequent signing to the influential label The Flenser. Their sound identity is built on the subversion of black metal tropes: using the genre's extreme intensity to convey themes of Zen Buddhism, natural connection, and radical optimism. Musically, they incorporate elements of improvisation and avant-garde composition, drawing unlikely inspiration from folk icons like Bob Dylan alongside extreme metal pioneers. Critical consensus positions them as a leading force in the 'blackgaze' and post-black metal movements, praised for their ability to find beauty and 'sublimity' within abrasive noise. Their work represents a pivotal shift in the 2020s metal landscape toward emotional vulnerability and spiritual exploration.