Reviews list for Plini - An Unnameable Desire (2026)

The problem with trying to sound epic in a progressive framework is that it just makes you look selfish. Plini's music in the past has had this quiet epicness surrounding albums like Homemade Cities and Impulse Voices. The issue that I have with An Unnamable Desire is that the "epicness" has now been recognized and Plini is going to do everything they can to replicate it, instead of letting it flow naturally. The heavier moments on "Manala" and the closer "The Time Will Pass Anyway" leaves this listener in an underwhelmed state. I can't deny that they transition on the closing track from heavy, djent influenced openings, to the soaring guitar leads and wide open foundation sounds really neat, but it also feels so scripted.

I know that An Unnamable Desire is scripted, but it isn't supposed to "feel" like it. Some of my favourite records of all time have a sense of improvisation to them and you can even hear that on earlier Plini albums. It does happen here sometimes, but their regularity is limited. Plini's guitar soloing has found a very comfortable place to rest, and the grandiose style suffers because of it. The solo guitar loses character, passion and purpose when the noodling becomes formulaic. 

It's not a bad album per se; I actually think it is quite good. But in an attempt to chase the unattainable goal, Plini have released their most uninspired album to date. Adding a string ensemble for more than half of the record and overbloating the soundscape and the epicness leaves the records more genuine moments feeling more hollow.

Best Songs: Canyon, Now & Then, Vespertine

For Fans Of: Intervals, Animals as Leaders, Haken

OK, confession time: I really prefer a lot of the metal music I like to have vocals. Although I enjoy the music, the vocals help guide me through. It's probably why my interest in Animals as Leaders and Liquid Tension Experiment didn't last long, and why I haven't even touched the material from legends like Joe Satriani and Steve Vai. But there are a couple instrumental djenty prog-metal/rock artists whose material I absolutely love, those being Scale the Summit and, of course, Australian guitar maestro Plini!

His perfect streak of albums continues in his new album An Unnameable Desire. As always, Plini has his great progressive style that gives an interesting and captivating zest to this instrumental sound. If I were to give this desire a name, it would be pleasure.

"Dorenavant" is the one-minute intro with sonic ambience rising until it stops and makes way for the first full track. We get to an intimate start with the beautiful title track. Then it sweeps into "Ciel". I love this one, especially the production work by Skyharbor's Devesh Dayal and the guitar soloing by Polish guitarist Jakub Zytecki. Plini can still show off his frantic guitaring playing in "Canyon".

He actually goes further down the heavy djent rabbithole than before as evident in the groovy highlight "Now & Then". And even more in the blistering "Manala". With heaviness in the drums and guitars, this is Plini as his most metal! "Vespertine" is more tranquil, but the softness doesn't last long as there's more of the progressive chaos.

There are more apocalyptic vibes in "Ruin". Getting close to the end is "After Everything" which already sounds like the album's epic climax. However, we have one more track deserving all its glory... The metallic 7-minute finale epic "The Time Will Pass Anyway" is absolutely crushing and uplifting at the same time. I should also note the bass work by Simon Grove who has also done the mixing well alongside the mastering courtesy of Periphery's Adam "Nolly" Getgood. They helped make the epic sound so wonderful.

Yeah, as much as we can't deny the undeniable talents of Plini, you also gotta thank drummer Chris Allison, keyboardist Dave Mckay, and the mini-orchestra of John Waugh, Misha Vayman, and Yoshi Masuda, plus the production by A.J. Minette. Strong backing lineup, diverse tracks... The Australian master of modern djent still holds his title!

Favorites: "Ciel", "Now & Then", "Manala", "After Everything", "The Time Will Pass Anyway"