Archspire - Too Fast To Die (2026)

I have mixed feelings with Archspire new album, Too Fast To Die, I just feel the songs are a bit less memorable and jaw-dropping, but I remember I was disapointed when Bleed The Future came out, and found it great when I listened to it the other day, so... I guess Archspire music is so dense you need time to "digest" it and get all its intricacies. Anyway I already enjoy Toos Fast To Die, no time needed to hear that Archspire intensity and musicianship is still really hard to match. At the same time brutal, technical and melodic (neoclassical style) death metal at its most over the top.

 

The BC page. 

 

Wreche - All My Dreams Came True (2021)

Wreche is a duo playing a music that is post... definitely post, but not so easy to say post what. Post black metal? Yes. Post hardcore? Also. But it's much more than that. Their second album All My Dreams Came True released last year is really unique and good. The vocals are a mix of SDBM and screamo and the drummer is doing blast beats, that's for the "normal" part, because the rest is no guitars, only classical piano and synths parts that are somewhere between futuristic and symphonic black metal. The main melodic element is the classical piano, while the synths are adding different atmospheres. It's refreshing and welcome to hear musicians exploring a different kind of intensity.   

 

The Bandcamp page. 

 

 

Lingua Ignota - Sinner Get Ready (2021)

While on the previous Lingua Ignota album Caligula the harsh noise elements were less present, now it disappeared completely in the new one Sinner Get Ready, there's also less screaming. But the noisy element is still there in the form of some dissonant/out of tune piano play. Lingua Ignota music is now almost only piano and lyrical and somewhat lyrical singing. A bit like a pissed off and chaotic Nick Cave (which means it's a lot more interesting and better than what Cave is doing now!). I preferred Caligula, but Sinner Get ready is also a strong album and even if overall it's softer, there's still in Lingua Ignota's music an intensity that is matched by few. 

The Bandcamp page.

 

John Zorn - The Hierophant (2019)

This is a piano, bass, drums trio album, but, composed by John Zorn and played by Brian Marsella (piano), Trevor Dunn (bass) and Kenny Wollesen (drums), The Hierophant is not your usual chamber music. The nine tracks, each one inspired by one tarot card, shows many different facets and moods, it's quite melodic and there are quiet moments yes, but coming with the expected (from these guys!) additional intensity and expertly controlled craziness. This is a truly superb and moving album. Highly recommended!

The Tzadik page.