  We describe our recent proposal that distinct phases of gauge theories with
fundamental quarks translate into specific types of low-energy behavior in
Dirac spectral density. The resulting scenario is built around new evidence
substantiating the existence of a phase characterized by bimodal (anomalous)
density, and corresponding to deconfined dynamics with broken valence chiral
symmetry. We argue that such anomalous phase occurs quite generically in these
theories, including in "real world" QCD above the crossover temperature, and in
zero-temperature systems with many light flavors.
