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All the elation, transcendence, and intensity of heavy music radiates with blinding energy from the sophomore release by this self-proclaimed "ecstatic black metal" ensemble based in Los Angeles.

The Spiritual Sound combines immense heaviness with imaginative detailing. Key track Bodhidharma propels along a riff fit for a motorcycle crew, before a burst of static and screaming heralds a sad post-rock middle eight. The often-criticized technique of the virtuosic guitar solo is spectacularly resurrected by guitarist Richard Chowenhill, whose soloing on this track and on standout the song Flea will have you levitating with joy – yet the gentle song Hallelujah features falling guitar notes played with childlike simplicity.

Songs such as Micah and Serenity are high-speed punk rock, while Dan’s Love Song is drum free and has slow-moving Sunn O)))-style fuzz rumbling underneath its dream-pop loveliness. Black metal melodies can often be absent or too complex, but the band's riffs and hooks are bright and original, and closer the song The Reply even evokes a much heavier the band Radiohead.

Listeners who enjoy experimental metal acts Deafheaven will likely adore all this contrasting dynamics and fearlessly beautiful sound, especially because Agriculture also have two distinct vocal styles, divided here across two vocalists. Dan Meyer contributes sporadic melodic vocals, but the star is the other vocalist, her voice quivers on one track but splenetically caterwauling on other songs.

As is common in the genre, it's difficult to discern the words she sings, yet they are worth the effort: the stories she conveys about suicidal friends and anti-LGBTQ bigotry are devastating, as is her search for purpose in a world that relentlessly trends towards conflict.