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The Squid's Ear Magazine

Shardik (Matt Hollenberg / Sana Nagano / Nick Jost / Danney Sher)

Cruelty Bacchanal

Shardik (Matt Hollenberg / Sana Nagano / Nick Jost / Danney Sher): Cruelty Bacchanal (Tzadik)

A fiercely expressive and genre-defying second release from Matt Hollenberg's Shardik, blending avant-garde classical, math metal, free jazz, and world music in a searing and politically charged statement performed with virtuosic intensity by Hollenberg, Nagano, Jost, and Sher, delivering complex forms, daring harmonies, and relentless creative fire.
 

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Product Information:

Personnel:



Matt Hollenberg-guitars

Sana Nagano-electric violin, violin

Nick Jost-bass

Danny Sher-drums

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UPC: 702397405528

Label: Tzadik
Catalog ID: CD-TZA-4055
Squidco Product Code: 36407

Format: CD
Condition: New
Released: 2025
Country: USA
Packaging: Digipack - 3 panel
Recorded at BC Studios, in Brooklyn, New York, in September. 2024, by Martin Bisi.
Descriptions, Reviews, &c.

Artist Biographies

Guitarist Matt Hollenberg was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and is a member of iNFiNiEN, Cleric, Cetus, and has performed with John Frum. He studied Liberal arts at Community College of Philadelphia, and lives in Brooklyn, New York.

-Matt Hollenberg Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/matt.hollenberg.5/about?lst=1389755694%3A815073819%3A1510010637§ion=education&pnref=about)
6/16/2026

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.

"Sana Nagano, violonist: Ever since she moved in New York City (2010), violinist and composer Sana Nagano has been performing actively in NY jazz, classical and underground music scenes. Her latest collaborations include with Karl Berger, Adam Rudolph, William Parker, Daniel Carter, the Manhattan Symphonie, Nioka Workman, John Ehlis, Federico Ughi, Harvey Valdes, Marius Duboule, Brittany Anjou, Jeffrey Shurdut and others.

Nagano holds MA degree from Aaron Copland School of Music of Queens College, BA degree from Berklee College of Music, both in jazz performance/composition major. She had studied with Joe Lovano, George Garzone, Mat Maneri, Dave Fiuczynski, Mark Feldman, Antonio Hart, Chris Howes, Hal Crook, Darren Barrett, Jeff Galindo, Rob Thomas, Matt Glaser, David Berkman and others."

-New York Jazz Workshop (https://newyorkjazzworkshop.com/faculty/sana-nagano/)
6/16/2026

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.

Nick Jost, based in New York City, is best known as the bassist and multi-instrumentalist for the acclaimed band Baroness, which he joined in early 2013 alongside drummer Sebastian Thomson. His first rehearsal with the group took place on March 24, 2013.

Originally from a jazz background, Jost brought a refined, melodic sensibility to the heavy and progressive textures of Baroness. Over the years, he's contributed significantly to albums like Purple (2015), Gold & Grey (2019), and most recently Stone (2023) - a release he described as a fresh artistic direction for the band, embracing its evolving lineup and sonic ambitions.

In interviews, Jost emphasizes the band's commitment to artistic growth, saying "Every record is a new beginning... Stone is the perfect title," signaling a pivotal evolution in their music and identity. He's deeply invested in the continued relevance of indie record stores and physical media as vital cultural touchpoints, calling the relationship between bands and independent sellers "crucial".

On tour and in studio, Jost is known for his solid fingerstyle playing (occasionally using a pick by dare) and a bass rig built around Fender Precision and Jazz Basses powered through a Gallien-Krueger head and Ampeg cabinet setup. His rig also includes pedals like Xotic Bass BB Preamp, MXR Chorus, Tech 21 SansAmp, and others that shape his deep, dynamic tone Premier Guitar.

-Squidco 6/16/2026

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.

"Danny Sher is one of New York City's most sought after session musicians. As a master of jazz and rock drumming, his abilities are organic and pliable, making him the perfect beat maker for live and recorded music alike."

-Danny Website (https://www.dannysherdrumlessons.com/)
6/16/2026

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.


Track Listing:
Related Categories of Interest:


Tzadik
Improvised Music
Free Improvisation
Jazz
NY Downtown & Metropolitan Jazz/Improv
Quartet Recordings
Staff Picks & Recommended Items
New in Improvised Music
Recent Releases and Best Sellers
Friends of Squid

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Tzadik.

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The Squid's Ear Magazine

The Squid's Ear Magazine

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