Jesus Piece – ‘… So Unknown’ [Album Review]

In terms of heavy music in 2023, there can’t be many more anticipated releases than …So Unknown, the second offering from Philly hardcore crew Jesus Piece. Described by frontman Aaron Heard as an album that “sums up our band,” hearing the record lurch into opener “In Constraints,” you’ll be pleased to know that your ears are in for an absolute mauling.

Although there is no doubt that Jesus Piece has their roots firmly planted in the hardcore scene, there is an unmistakeable death metal-like slam to tracks like “Fear of Failure,” where the band plunge into bone-crushingly heavy, sludgy breakdowns matching Heard’s guttural roars. That being said, there is also a smattering of gang vocals and other hardcore traits mixed in for good measure. When all is said and done, whether you call it hardcore, hardcore-tinged death metal, or death metal-tinged hardcore, the result is pure fucking heaviness.

Now, you’ll discover where …So Unknown differs from other albums born from similar genres when you dig deeper under the punishing onslaught. Be warned, though, you don’t have to dig too far to find quite an unnerving, sinister atmosphere swirling away through tracks like “Tunnel Vision” and “Stolen Life,” adding a nice twist to the gargantuan slabs of metallic rage that swamp this album. That being said, for all those nice touches, there is nothing more satisfying than hearing Jesus Piece lock together for some modern primed-for-the-pit violence on offerings like “Gates of Horn.”

The album ends in the same way it started, with the musical equivalent of a kneecapping as the Philly band rage through “The Bond.” A relentless, spine-snapping chug drills away at your head while the feral, raging vocals of Heard swirl around inside your skull, bringing one of the most hotly-anticipated albums of the year grinding to an earth-shattering conclusion.

…So Unknown Track Listing:

1. In Constraints
2. Fear Of Failure
3. Tunnel Vision
4. FTBS
5. Silver Lining
6. Gates Of Horn
7. Profane
8. An Offering To The Night
9. Stolen Life
10. The Bond

Run Time: 28:54
Release Date: April 14, 2023
Record Label: Century Media Records