Rewriting History Agro style!
by: Captain Awesome

Rewriting History Agro style! by Captain Obvious

Band Members:

Cliff Crabb on Vocals

Shane Pennicott on Guitar

Robbie Riebler on Bass

Nick Vassilev on Keys

Wes Hitchin on Drums

Rewriting History

01. Destroyed (From Within) 1995. 06:11

02. Power of the brave (From Within) 1995. 04:47

03. Eyes (Eyes) 1997. 05:57

04. What is Wrong (Eyes) 1997. 04:06

05. Taken By Misery (The Tree) 1999. 05:22

06. Away From Fear (The Tree) 1999. 06:33

07. Chalk Outline (Forthcoming) 2002. 05:48

08. Til Death (Forthcoming) 2002. 05:57

09. At Liberty (Forthcoming) 2002. 05:49

10. Place of Healing (Ritual 6) 2007. 06:03

Bonus Tracks

11. See You (Original by Depeche Mode) 2009. 03:36

12. Empty Tankard (Original by Tankard) 2009. 04:50

Record Label: Tritone

Guest Artists: Kim van Melsen

Website: http://www.agroband.net

Sitting at my desk while writing and listening too “Rewriting History”, reading the album-insert and reminiscing about all the years that I have followed Agro’s existence.

I can’t help but feel a sense of pride!

Proud to have found Heavy Metal!

Proud to be a part of this incredible music genre!

Proud to be South African!

And at the risk of sounding patriotic, yes, strangely, these are the emotions I most often feel when listening too, or watching or reading about Agro.

When looking into the Agro past, it is evident that it has not been an easy road. The fact that they are still ‘banging’ is witness to the ‘stickability’ of a group of guys who would not give up their dreams for anything.

The ‘elements’ forced against them caused the replacing of only four band members in seventeen years, one member to death, two to immigration, and one was fired. They even lost their long time manager, Alan Pennicott to death in 2007, and yet… they continue! All of this and seven releases on; has earned Agro a hell of a lot of respect in the underground music scene… and deservedly so! 

With the persistent lack of artist support in the South African music scene, Agro set out to achieve standards that no other South African band has achieved thus far.

Seven self funded full length albums; a self funded tour to Namibia and twice to Botswana, as well as a self funded tour to Germany! Agro even graced the stages at the infamous Wacken.com festival and played at one of the main stages the festival had to offer, not some small beer tent at the show. Even on other fronts with their South African tours being funded in this conundrum at the same time as all working fulltime jobs; while still having families and hectic social lives. They even step up and decide to produce their own albums through Tritone Studios owned and managed by Shane Pennicott…. Let me reiterate… No other South African band has achieved this, ever. Not one!*

I am telling you all this information with interesting facts about Agro, yet you can have it all to yourself in an audio and visual format that has the full low down of the band’s history on their bonus DVD, which comes with their latest release, “Rewriting History.” By international standards, this documentary about Agro’s history kicks some serious Metal butt.

It is also duly noted that Agro have committed to a second release at the end of 2010. With little industry support and general South African difficulties that most of us are familiar with, where on earth do these boys get their energy? The Answer is simple… their ever increasing fan base, their undying love and passion for music and their commitment to excellence. The band is loved and respected by fans and artists alike, and when Agro are on stage they own you.

There is nothing more captivating than watching five people working in perfect harmony on stage, who ooze enthusiasm, passion and sheer aggression. Agro have a live act that you won’t forget easily and it is seldom that they do ‘special’ performances.

Obviously what you see is what you get.

With Cliff Crabb as front man, the entertainment value is bar-raising, and if that’s not enough, they have an extensive portfolio of cover songs that they often revisit. The most popular of which is their Dio meets Deep Purple version of Holy Diver.

Personally, I am waiting in obvious anticipation for the next release, with Wes Hitchin on drums, Agro’s newest and youngest member, it is exciting to wonder what he will contribute to the ‘maturity’ of Agro in the future.

Moshing right along, back to “Rewriting History”, what you have here is a powerfully engaging compilation with their most popular songs re-released and re-recorded. It does the songs an incredible amount of justice, due to earlier albums seriously lacking good production and recording.

There are concerns about the new production, like the occasional ‘untidy’ guitar lick, or false vocal note here and there, but they are so minor when compared to the past productions that you do not notice them when listening to the new recordings.

Interestingly, when listening to this chronological presentation of their work, it is hard to think of another outfit that sounds remotely similar to Agro. They have truly given the world a uniquely South African sounding Heavy Metal. Sure, when semantically involved in analyzing their sound and possible influences one notices a European flare, but it is arranged and performed from a very independent platform. And besides, as Cliff Crabb would say, all Metal is born from the same place and is part of the same family.

In conclusion, with the lack of accolades and recognition Agro have received for their achievements as a South African icon, it is up to us, fans, artists and critics to tell the world about the part Agro have played in our heritage with pride and conviction, whether or not Agro fits your musical taste. After all, it was Picasso, world famous artist and recognized genius, who said, “Taste is the enemy of creativeness”. Objectively speaking, we cannot deny that Agro have given to South Africa something that should be recognized and honoured for its creativity and uniqueness.

Welcome to the brotherhood of Metal. Horns up!

I give it a reminiscently obvious 8 out of 10. It sits on my list of favorite albums for 2010.

By: Captain Obvious

* In reference to this statement there has been no other details found of a South African band that has achieved this acclaim overseas yet still receive so little in recognition within its own country.

[Captain Awesome sidenote: Agro recently made Metal Hammer Magazine:

Go check it out: http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/newsplanet-metal-cd-revealed]

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CaptainAwesome (14 Apr 2010 02:40 PM) Awesome!! Go Agro! Bring on that album in the pipelines! Captain Obvious nice writing dude!

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