...So Unknown
...So Unknown is a 2023 studio album by American metalcore band Jesus Piece. The band's second release, it comes five years after debut Only Self and has received positive reviews from critics.

Reception
 Olly Thomas of Kerrang! rated this album 4 out of 5, pointing out the attention to detail and stating that it results in "an involving listen, but emphatically doesn’t detract from the band’s primary intention of rearranging your skeletal structure through elastic, chugging riffs and neck-snapping beats". Metal Injections Max Heilman gave ...So Unknown an 8.5 out of 10, calling it "exciting, emotive, and ball-busting hardcore taken to the next level by smart writing". Mandy Scythe of MetalSucks scored this 4.5 out of 5, exhorting readers, "If you’re a fan of hardcore, or if you’re just looking for something a little outside of your usual metal menu that still delivers the riffs, check out …So Unknown. It’s an album that will change the way you think about hardcore music."

Pitchfork Media editors chose this as one of the 10 albums of the week for readers to hear and critic Matthew Ismael Ruiz scored it a 7.3 out of 10 as a band that "boast a unique mix of aggressive East Coast grooves and call-and-response vocals, offsetting metal’s melodic and theatrical tendencies with hardcore’s propulsive energy" and particularly noting the virtuosity of drummer Luis Aponte. Editors at Rolling Stone chose ...So Unknown as a Hear This pick and critic Ian Blau stating that the band "avoid the repetitive and rough aspects of their debut by growing exponentially as musicians, focusing their songwriting, and becoming more capable of translating the energy of their live show into nuanced studio performances". In Slant Magazine, Steve Erickson gave this release 3.5 out of 5 stars, characterizing it as "the album feels more defined by genre than the band’s past work, but the anger running through it is contagious" and summing up that the music "creates a stark contrast to the majority of recent pop-rock, which carries a mood of depressed resignation". This was an Editor's Pick at Spill Magazine, where Ryan Ruple scored it a 9 out of 10, predicting, "as far as metal records go this year, encompassing all sub genres, …So Unknown is going to be in several End Of The Year lists for fans". Writing for Sputnikmusic, YoYoMancuso scored this work a 3.0 out of 5, summing up that it is "a flawed record, but still a worthwhile one to check out".

On June 23, Alternative Press published an unranked list of the top 25 albums of the year to date and included this release, calling it "a chaotic listen from start to end, brimming with metallic aggression, savage breakdowns, and smart songcraft".

Track listing
"In Constraints" – 2:19
"Fear of Failure" – 3:06
"Tunnel Vision" – 3:23
"FTBS" – 2:12
"Silver Lining" – 3:55
"Gates of Horn" – 2:18
"Profane" – 2:11
"An Offering to the Night" – 2:13
"Stolen Life" – 3:20
"The Bond" – 2:48

Personnel
Jesus Piece
John Distefano – guitar
Luis Aponte – drums
Aaron Heard – vocals
Anthony Marinaro – bass guitar
David Updike – guitar

Additional personnel
Randy Leboeuf – production

See also
2023 in American music
List of 2023 albums

References

External links

2023 albums
Century Media Records albums
Jesus Piece (band) albums