Cruelty Bacchanal, writes Matt Hollenberg, “is about the erosion of empathy – about how the celebration of violence and the embrace of nihilism have become a display of strength in modern society”. This is how the leader of Shardik conceives the group’s second album for Tzadik, music made of pieces that fracture and reorganise themselves in different ways.

Blending codes from heavy metal, free jazz and classical composition, and always seeking uncharted sonic escapes, Hollenberg’s guitar joins forces with Sana Nagano’s violin, Nick Jost’s bass and Danny Sher’s drums.

According to Everything Is Noise, “vaguely Eastern European nuances” combine with a “deliberate evocation of ancient Roman festivities”, reflecting a world in convulsion – politically, humanly and socially.