Agriculture Members, Gear & Sound

Agriculture is a Los Angeles–based band that transcends traditional black metal boundaries by infusing elements of blackgaze, Zen Buddhist philosophy, and queer history into their music. The quartet consists of Dan Meyer, Leah Levinson, Richard Chowenhill, and Kern Haug, who emerged from the city's vibrant noise scene. Their work is characterized by an intense yet spiritual approach, aiming to create music that provokes introspection and demands full engagement from its listeners. Agriculture's sound, described as ecstatic and grounded, resists simplification and emphasizes community-driven songwriting.

Agriculture's sonic landscape is a fusion of searing intensity and atmospheric depth, characterized by its aggressive yet meditative qualities. Their music is both melodic and raw, often enveloped in layers of distortion and fuzz, as exemplified by Leah B. Levinson's use of the Electro-Harmonix Green Russian Big Muff Reissue. This pedal, combined with the Catalinbread Carbide, helps create their immersive wall of sound that is both crushing and ethereal. The integration of effects like the Electro-Harmonix Canyon Delay & Looper adds to the expansive quality of their music, allowing for moments of reflection amidst the chaos. Agriculture’s style is a testament to the power of dynamic contrast and emotional catharsis, where each note serves as a conduit for deeper exploration.