This disc was recorded way back in 1999, when Zao had a five-member roster. The combination of the riffs, drumming, and lyrical meaning is extremely potent. Classic Zao, no doubt about it. The presence of Rob and Russ seems to provide some musical mobility, but at the same time it's amazing that their musical integrity has both kept its quality and gotten better since this cd. Here we have a disc made by born-again Christians that is without a doubt Gothic in nature; an oxymoron, it would seem. (In two pictures they are seen wearing face paint.) But one must look beyond appearances.
On this album you will find prolific instrumentals, hellishly-tortured speaking, and uniquely Zaoistic heavy-metal songs of both the poetic and straightforward variety; all within the theme of Dante's inferno and the five circles of hell. The lyrics are begging to be read into. For example, the words of "Autopsy" are simple straight-talk on the emptiness of eternity in hell. "Dark Sold Sound" in contrast, speaks of the lack of rest in hell and the (lost) days of childhood innocence before we make our eternal choices. The best track by far however, is number six. "Desire the End" is the one song on the entire album that conveys any sense of hope in the Christian sense; and it does so in a powerful, poetic way.
The concept of Christian "death metal" is given a huge boost by this album. Not only does it deal with the lack of meaning in the Goth subculture, but it causes the listener to think of hell's reality. It's been said that the greatest thing Satan ever did for his cause was to convince the world he wasn't real and that hell (if it exists,) is simply one big party. They tackle that topic head on in this cd, and expose those lies in a way second only to scripture. The overall message is that we cannot in fact, "save (ourselves or anyone else) from hell" as hard as we may try. It points to Christ clearly when it describes The touch of Armageddon..... in track six. That one phrase strongly implies that the one doing the "touching," Jesus Christ; is the only answer for the mess that is human life on this fallen planet. That entire song refutes another lie, the idea that Jesus is not returning and Christianity is a hoax. Although "Death" and "Black" metal have earned an incredibly satanic reputation, Zao invades the devil's turf on this cd; shining a light in an incredibly dark genre. Their later work has done the same, which is commendable. Clearly, these ten tracks explore domain that must be addressed more often in Christianity.
4.5 tocks
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2000Reviewed by Josh MarihughThe first thing that grabs you about the new Zao disc, other than the huge eye on the front, is the Latin title. Now take a look at the back; the disc is divided into five movements. Has Zao gone all epic on us, a la Saviour Machine? No, although their newest album has taken a decided turn for the darker, compared to their earlier work. Where Zao's first Solid State disc, The Splinter Shards the…The Phantom Tollbooth 2000Reviewed by Matt CildermanThe latest album that Zao has stirred up is a thick and hearty feast for all of you who love Deathcore. The concept behind this album is awesome and quite original. It digs deep into some of the ideas from Dante's Inferno. There are ten songs in five groups; the five groups represent the five circles of hell. These songs are dark and stay right with the theme, while the lyrics are descriptive and…HM Magazine #79Reviewed by David BixlerI am going to admit something. I absolutely love Zao, and they have remained one of my favorite bands, even through various lineup changes and a quite extreme musical progression. And yet, I wasn't sure that this album would deliver like their last release, Where Blood and Fire Bring Rest, did. After listening to this disc several times though, that fear was quashed. This CD sees Zao cover even…Bandoppler 1999Reviewed by John SantGet ready. This may be one of the heaviest albums to come out in the past few years, and it will shock you. ZAO has carried the Blood and Fire sound to a whole new level with Liberate Te Ex Inferis, a refined, brooding approach to metalcore. The album is divided into five circles of Hell (Limbo, The Lustful, The Gluttonous, The Hoarders and The Spendthrifts, The Wrathful) with two songs in each…Exit Zine 1999Reviewed by John SantGet ready. This may be one of the heaviest albums to come out in the past few years. Zao has carried the Blood and Fire sound to a whole new level with Liberate Te Ex Inferis, a refined, brooding approach to metalcore. The album is divided into five circles of Hell (Limbo, The Lustful, The Gluttonous, The Hoarders and The Spendthrifts, The Wrathful) with two songs in each circle. Each song in one…Decapolis 1999Reviewed by ConradI thought I would hate this album considering it's genre - hard core/metal, and considering the vocals - death screaming. But, to me, this album did everything that a band in this style of music should do. First off this album is most embodied by the movie "Event Horizon." There are a few well chosen and well placed clips of the movie, at the beginning, middle and end, making it seem like this…Decapolis 1999Reviewed by Tom BastianI've never really been into this band or their style of music. So with that said I was actually kind of impressed, by the music that is. The vocals are a whole other story. Well I guess I will start out with the vocals. I don't think I understood a single word that was said, screamed, yelped, or forced out. The best analogy I could think of would be, if Cobra Commander from G.I. Joe had a dark…Art for the Ears 1999Reviewed by Marco PovervestThis is the third record from metalcore masters Zao. Their previous album Where Blood And Fire Bring Rest was one of my favorite extreme music albums of 1998. That album featured guitarist Brett Detar who switched over to The Juliana Theory. I regret that because his playing on the Zao album was inspiring. To replace him, the band has now two guitarists. Surprisingly, the sound of Zao hasn't…Similar sounding releases
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