Agro

Agro is a heavy metal band from Johannesburg, South Africa, formed in the early 1990s. It begins as a thrash metal act and develops a sound that combines aggression with melodic twin-guitar work, later adding a keyboard player and a neoclassical element. Its songs use a power metal and thrash structure, with an audible vocal style that fits the band’s heavy metal approach.

Style and development

The band emerges in a South African metal scene that is described as being crowded with Bay Area-style death metal imitators. Agro distinguishes itself by mixing thrash with melodic and power metal influences while keeping a strong live focus. Its stage presentation is described as energetic and theatrical, with a tongue-in-cheek attitude and an emphasis on musicianship.

Releases

Agro’s discography includes From Within (1995), Eyes (1998), The Tree (2000), Forthcoming (2003), Gouda than Hell (2004), Ritual 6 (2006), Rewriting History (2010) and The Bitter End (2020). The band is also associated with several albums in its catalogue, with The Bitter End identified as the most recent release.

Identity

The name Agro is also used for a separate hardcore techno project, but the South African metal band is the act associated with Johannesburg and the metal discography listed above.