There are some bands that make a living out of exploring the boundaries within the genres of music they play, and there are others who completely change the game with their music. Upon first inspection, combining black, progressive and death metal with jazz should not work, however, Agabas are not your typical alternative musicians. Incorporating a saxophone into their brand of black and death metal is unique, and they somehow make it work. This is evident on Hard Anger (Deluxe). The tracks here are not only musically complex but are about as catchy as extreme metal can get, which results in an utterly fascinating listen which is unlike anything that has come out this year so far.
The album opens up with sheer intensity, as the band waste no time in bringing the heaviness. ‘Kjærlighet for alle’ kicks off with harsh vocals accompanied by some ferocious riffs. There are plenty of rhythm changes here which is mental considering that this opener is just over three minutes long. Agabas do make sure that the song does not slow down at all throughout though, and this track also includes a metalcore esque breakdown which ends up closing the song off alongside a saxophone solo, the first one of the record.
‘En vakker himmel’ kicks off with a mid-paced yet heavy thrash metal riff, before the vocals properly kick in, and things get slightly more mellow. With that being said, in the verses, the instruments gradually get louder and more intense before the chorus appears and decimates with the same riff that kicked the song off. There is another saxophone solo after the second chorus, which is matched with a mild swing jazz beat before the final chorus, proving that Agabas can be catchy as well as virtuosos.
‘Se det for deg’ is a track like no other. This is a track that screams genius. The rhythm changes are extremely complex, but the intensity remains throughout, making for a grim yet fascinating ambience. At times this track is relentlessly fast, but things change in an instant when the chorus makes an appearance. The track ends with the final chorus, combined with the intro which sounds as if the listener intentionally experiences some audio difficulties.
The following song has a very uplifting element to it. The main riff seemingly comes from the saxophone, which instantly helps make this track a standout. The chorus is simple yet effective in being catchy, but it is the solo section which really stands out. The saxophone solo here is probably one of the best on this entire album, and the final chorus is automatically heavier as it almost sounds as if a breakdown is coming. Another unusual touch to a record that is extremely confusing in the best way possible.
‘Arv’ is one of the thrashier songs on this deluxe album. The riffs are ferocious here, but the rhythm section is showcased exceptionally on this track. The bass is easy to hear, and the drums change the beats as if it is child’s play. The chorus has a doom metal atmosphere to it, as it sounds more dramatic, but still melodic. The ending stands out, as it is a deceiver. There is an almost acoustic saxophone segue, before the band fully kick in once more to deliver a brutal ending.
‘Kill’ kicks off the first of the triple threat of bonus songs. It starts off with a rather unusual riff before the full force of Agabas comes forward once more for the irresistible chorus. The verses, however, are very rhythmical which is a welcome contrast to the incredible hook this track delivers. Instead of a saxophone solo, this time, the band deliver a guitar solo before the repetition of the title gets yelled, with increasing velocity as it gets repeated before the chorus returns one last time, before a breakdown wraps this one up.
‘The Wizard’ is the album closer, and once again, is packed with a peculiar main riff. The band however deliver another top-notch technical masterclass as each member of this bizarre group gets a final chance to shine. The vocals are a highlight though, as they are more melodic than they have been throughout most of the record. This main riff that is heard in the intro is seemingly the chorus, which is a standout detail. This track also includes the last saxophone solo which as expected is exceptional. With the final chorus which includes vocals, the album finishes in the absolute best way possible.
Overall, this is an unbelievable musical album. The instruments are played to perfection, and the solos being played by the saxophone gives these songs a layer of strangeness which helps each individual track stand out. The rhythms throughout some of these tracks are amazingly complex, and the ability to combine these extreme metal subgenres with jazz in a way that works as well as it does here deserves to be credited. Even though these songs are exceptional, there are a couple too many as 13 tracks in an album is bound to have some creative similarities.
With that being said, combining genres is never easy, and Agabas pull this off like no other artist, proving that metal can be completely out of the box. Hard Anger is unlike anything I have heard this year, and as a result, this is one album that is totally unforgettable, and will most certainly be one to beat as a record that should top album lists.
Agabas: Hard Anger – Out 5 March 2026 (Mascot Records)
