Much like their music, Agabas’ origins and center of operations are unexpected: A log cabin set deep within the Hardangerfjord of western Norway. A place of stillness and tranquility became the breeding ground for one of death metal’s most experimental and ferocious acts. The band has described its deathjazz sound as finding order within chaos. “Chaos set in order” is a repeating theme throughout the band’s interviews with various magazines. In 2026 The Norwegian band signed to Mascot Records, a reputable independent label that has worked with various artists like Gojira, Black Label Society, and John 5 over the years. The band has toured across Europe supporting bands including Kvelertak and Avatar.
Agabas’ music often takes unexpected turns, since the band often incorporates groovy downtuned riffs, jazz-driven saxophone melodies and technical jazz-influenced blast beats. What sets Agabas apart is their ability to incorporate all of these elements into cohesive songs that fans can still headbang to. This makes Agabas one of the more creative bands in today’s metal soundscapes. Agabas’ mood shifts from playful, to rage-driven, all the way to bizarre, capturing a whole spectrum of emotions within their songs.
The band’s jazz songwriting inspiration comes from the groundbreaking work of John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman, and Miles Davis in the 1960s. Agabas reinterprets the heaviness of jazz through blast beats, crushing breakdowns, and the intensity of death metal. Agabas’ lyrics are in Norwegian and rather than concepts like gore or horror, they read like social commentary. Their lyrics explore issues the band has strong feelings about, including social criticism, political frustration, freedom, technology, and identity.
