Despite various recommendations and levels of hype, I was never a big Zao fan, and didn't really get into the band at all until recent years. It kind of feels like they've experienced a new beginning that possesses more potential than ever, at least to my ears. After all, they're basically the Napalm Death of the metalcore genre in terms of their sheer number of lineup changes: No original members remain in the lineup, and there are enough ex-members to fill out at least two full bands!
"The Fear is What Keeps Us Here", Zao's latest Ferret Music release, is another slight change in direction for the band—taking the tight and aggressive direction of "The Funeral of God" and harnessing that focus into shorter, fiercer tracks that are certainly more frenzied and chaotic. The listen can be quite acerbic at times, but does retain a sense of control, which is always the most important factor for me because I have a hard time backing this kind of stuff when it feels like the bands are going apeshit just for the hell of it. There's some truly harsh vocal work going on here as well, though a minimal number of well placed singing breaks do appear alongside some of the subtle melodic undercurrents— adding some balance to the songwriting. And there are still a good number of sludgy, dissonant midpaced rhythms as well, which I actually tend to prefer when it comes to Zao in particular. Surprisingly enough this outing was recorded by Steve Albini, so of course the result has a nice sense of space and natural tonality happening (which is especially beneficial to the rather impressive drum performance), and they've secured another damn nice looking layout, too—even though the vast majority of the text is printed backwards (including the lyrics). I mean, that's cool and all, but I'd rather not have to use a mirror to read through the fuckin' lyrics, you know?
Zao "Everything You Love Will Soon Fly Away"
Zao "There is No Such Thing as Paranoia"
What a rare but admirable occurrence it is when a band ends up improving quite significantly some 10+ years and 20+ lineup changes later, eh? Make the grab if you feel the same:
Comments
Liberate te ex Inferis…even though in some respects Fear is their best work. I think all that’s missing is the hooks that Zao used to be able to work into tehir music, but that’s just me. Anyway, thanks for doing what you do, I’ve discovered some incredible music though your writing (Closer, Disillusion, Parallax, to name a few).
7.13.2006 | By bjorn
These guys are hit and miss for me. I have Liberate and Splinter Shards. Both are good, but I don’t listen much. I heard some more recent stuff and the drumming was bland as hell, so your comment about the drum work is interesting. I guess I’ll have to listen!
7.13.2006 | By Eric
this is one of my favorite cds of the year so far. at frist i didnt like it so much but its won me over big time. i truthfully dont think they woulda been able to make this cd with jesse smith still in the band.
7.13.2006 | By phil d
im not sure what i think of this one yet. i consistently pick up all of their releases and a lot of people try to diss, but that doesnt phaze me, but this one just hasnt hit home with me yet. maybe it will though, i havent written it off.
7.13.2006 | By EMS / COREGASM / SA MOB
I didn’t get into them until later either, despite constantly hearing about them. I liked their last album quite a bit too. I was suppose to see them awhile back, but in good old Zao fashion they were no shows. Forgot the reason why. Anyway, their new album does indeed rip, like it a lot.
7.13.2006 | By Jonathan
i think the 2nd track sounds better then the first…. i get bugged out when singers try to hide their vocals behind a shitload of distortion or some other kind of effect… so.. the vocals kinda don’t do it for me. i do absolutely love the split they did with training for utopia, both bands tracks are amazing… i would have to say zao chose some of the funniest things to emphasize in those two songs… like the dancey “ashes to ashes, dust to dust” part… and handclaps, BAH! so awesome for a metal-esque band to do…
7.13.2006 | By Anonymous
Totally agree with you on this one. The prior records were a bit boring and predictable, but this album is raw as fuck and has that great, dry albini sound that makes the drums rock and the vocals totally brutal. Good call.
7.13.2006 | By Andy
you should listen to liberate te ex inferis, i think its their 2nd best… lots of people only know them by their recent albums. but yeah, this surprised me, kinda thought they were going for a different direction
7.14.2006 | By Anonymous
Not as immediate as Funeral but still a great album. They never got the respect they deserve due to the “Christian” tag. Jesse Smith leaving was probably the best thing that could have happened to them. I really dig the s/t album but man was his drum sound horrible on that one.
7.14.2006 | By Paul
Why does everyone hate that drum sound? I love it, sounds totally wierd and unusual, I think it adds a certain charm to the record. Not that I’d ever want them to do it again…I’m assuming it was a experiment and I really like that they tried it. I’m just in love with that record anyway, not only because it’s so unique, but because it flows really well. But it works best on a cold winter day for some reason.
7.17.2006 | By bjorn