(Content Warning: Discusses a musical artist that describes her experiences with domestic abuse and misogyny. References to murder and revenge.)

     Listening to Kristin “Lingua Ignota” Hayter, you may be impressed, terrified, concerned, enchanted, curled up in the fetal position and sobbing, or all of the above, but you will never be bored. I’ve analyzed her style here. Her music occupies an odd realm–that strange outer dark between classical and extreme music not often explored. Yet she’s not metal, making her unique even among fusion bands in this niche. Armed with one of the most powerful voices I’ve ever heard, she writes “survivor anthems” with themes of power, anti-misogyny, and revenge all draped in a tapestry of grandiose, horrific religious imagery. Her instrumentals transport you to an ethereal, often hellish world. Sounds dramatic? Of course it is! It sounds cliche and hyperbolic, but I’ve never heard anything like her. (For most new listeners, I recommend Sinner Get Ready first, or her inventive cover of Jolene by Dolly Parton. This is a ranking of my favorites.)

4.) Let the Evil of His Own Lips Cover Him–9/10

This one is a very underground release on no streaming platforms except YouTube and BandCamp. Hayter donated all its proceeds to the National Network to End Domestic Violence. The singing and sound are very melancholic (with some rare explosions of pure static) and has quiet audio of Aileen Wuornos interviews throughout. Very underrated and essential listening for fans. All albums onward from this one are perfect, in my opinion. 

Favorite Song: “Suffer Forever” 

Most Accessible Song: “Disease of Men”

For Fans of: Ambient, Classical, Opera, Harsh Noise Wall (at rare sections)

Favorite Lyrics: “The Chosen One”

Favorite Part of the Album: The climax of “That He May Not Rise Again”

3.) All Bitches Die–10/10

Hayter recorded this album alone in a shed in the woods, and consequently, it is her darkest. Those bleak, misogynistic three words are something her abuser told her, and she turns this on its head by making it her official album title. Musically, the album has two main types of instrumentals–noise mixed with acoustic instruments and intricate, delicate piano arrangements. Her singing is dramatic as ever, and she uses her soprano range to reach operatic heights. Lyrically, it centers around power (in relation to misogyny and abuse, hence the title), and this theme drifts towards two diametrically opposed extremes. On the title track, she depicts herself as powerless during her own abuse, weaving atmosphere through devastating, poetic imagery, wherein “Woe To All,” she sounds like a vengeful goddess. Her voice soars over the opening’s crushing two-note advance, wind chimes clinking in the background as she roars like an apocalyptic gust of wind destroying all in its path. 

Favorite Song: “All Bitches Die.” This song genuinely scares me.

Most Accessible Song (by Lingua Ignota standards): “God Gave Me No Name”

For Fans of: Doom Metal, Opera, Classical Music, Noise, Industrial Metal

Favorite Lyrics: “Woe to All”

Favorite Part of the Album: The climactic buildup from piano to opera in the title track. (4:40 to 7:30).

2.) Sinner Get Ready–10/10 

Probably the darkest Christian country album ever! It legitimately sounds like church music from hell, but it’s far subtler than that description would suggest. There are very few demon-themed theatrics, walls of static, or even distorted screams found here. This is by far her softest and most accessible album, but don’t mistake it for being peaceful. It still conjures a sense, horrific atmosphere of malaise through the haunting lyrics, religious samples, keyboards, Appalachian instruments (dulcimers, harmonicas, banjos), and especially the vocal harmonies. When layering vocals on top of her own, the choir harmony is sometimes slightly off, encapsulating the atmosphere of a horror movie. I believe the harmonies are microtonal (for any music theory nerds reading.) If I had to compare this album to a movie, it would be Midsommar, in both aesthetics and overall sound. The lyrics are definitely Christian by definition but have motifs such as the blood of Jesus and the perceived abuse and cruelty of her God. Sinner Get Ready sounds less like Carrie Underwood and more like the end times.

Favorite Song: “Many Hands” or “I Who Bend the Tall Grasses”

Most Accessible Song: “Pennsylvania Furnace” (awesome music video) or “Solitary Brethren of Ephrata”

For Fans Of: Folk, Liturgical Music, Classical, Opera, Appalachian Music, Horror Movie Soundtracks

Favorite Lyrics: “Many Hands” or “Repent Now Confess Now”

Favorite Part of the Album: The choral, soothing ending the album deserves.

1.) Caligula–10/10

It’s a Lingua Ignota project named after a Roman emperor most famous for his insane cruelty and depravity. How could it not be dramatic? She pours every ounce of emotion into her vocals, conveying beauty, power, terror, utter despair, visceral hatred, desperation, and small rays of hope–like sunlight peeking through a bleak, brutalized sky. It’s Hayter at her most creative and unique, and she reaches the full extent of her vocal range, and every second matters–even more sophisticated than the two albums preceding it. One of my favorite albums of all time. If you already like her music, I recommend doing a full listen blind. It’s the grandest in its vision and scope and I am so happy it exists. 

Favorite Song: “Do You Doubt Me Traitor” or “I Am the Beast”

Most Accessible Song: “Faithful Servant Friend of Christ” or “May Failure Be Your Noose”

For Fans Of: Opera, Classical Music, Noise, Orchestra, Doom Metal, Folk, Baroque, good music in general.

Favorite Lyrics: “I Am the Beast”

Favorite Part of the Album: The album’s ending…oh my, the ending.