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All the euphoria, transcendence, and power in heavy sonic art bursts forth with blinding energy from the sophomore release by this self-described "ecstatic black metal" ensemble hailing from Los Angeles.

The Spiritual Sound combines immense heaviness with creative intricacies. Lead single the song Bodhidharma propels along a riff fit for a biker gang, before a burst of static and shrieking introduces a melancholic post-rock middle eight. The often-criticized technique of the virtuosic guitar solo is brilliantly revived by guitarist the lead guitarist, whose lead work here and on highlight the song Flea will have you floating in ecstasy – yet the calm ballad Hallelujah showcases descending guitar melodies played with childlike simplicity.

Songs such as Micah (5.15.am) and Serenity are high-speed punk rock, but the piece Dan’s Love Song is drum free and has slow-moving Sunn O)))-style distortion rumbling underneath its dream-pop loveliness. Black metal melodies can often be absent or too complex, yet the band's guitar lines and choruses are vibrant and innovative, and closer the song The Reply even recalls a much heavier the band Radiohead.

Listeners who enjoy experimental metal acts similar artists will probably love all this contrasting dynamics and fearlessly beautiful sound, particularly since Agriculture also have two distinct singing approaches, divided here across two singers. Dan Meyer adds sporadic melodic vocals, yet the standout is the other vocalist, whose voice trembling on one track but fiercely howling elsewhere.

As is common in the genre, it’s hard to make out her lyrics, but they’re worth the effort: the narratives she conveys about suicidal friends and anti-LGBTQ bigotry are devastating, just like her quest for purpose in a world that relentlessly trends towards conflict.