49 Acts of Unspeakable Depravity in the Abominable Life and Times of Gilles de Rais

This conceptual work channels the madness of its 15th-century subject, Gilles de Rais, through Zorn’s 'extreme organ trio' Simulacrum, featuring John Medeski, Matt Hollenberg, and Kenny Grohowski. The album is a relentless sonic assault, built upon Zorn's through-composed pieces that defy easy categorization by blending the ferocity of death metal and grindcore with elements of jazz and noise. The trio navigates the complex, rapidly shifting compositions with virtuosic intensity, as Hollenberg's metallic guitar riffs, Medeski's shrieking organ, and Grohowski's hyperactive drumming create a cinematic descent into depravity.