If metal has been dead, then ZAO's latest release Where Blood and Fire Bring Rest brings metal back from the dead! Following much of the musical impetus of their previous album The Splinter Shards the Birth of Separation, this new album takes their metalcore sound to an entirely different level. From the vocals to the riffs, this album contains far more aspects of metal than hardcore.
Perhaps the most noticeable difference from their previous musical efforts is the vocals. The new vocalist (Daniel Weyandt) brings with him the most aggressive vocals that any of ZAO's albums has ever seen. Quite frankly, they are down right SCARY! I've never heard any hardcore vocals like this. Dan's vocals call upon the styles of black/death metal (bands such as Carcass, Beheadoth, Disparity, some Crimson Thorn).
The music seems to escalate the already metallic nature of ZAO. Some of the song structures are still reminiscent of hardcore organization (no clearly defined chorus/verse/bridge); however the metallic riffs that make up the rhythm (lots of palm muting and technical melodies) and the organization of verses and choruses make this album sound more like metal than hardcore. However, any fan of new school hardcore will certainly find this album to be a breath of fresh air amidst what can seem to be a genre in which each song can tend to sound the same.
Musically, the album journeys into numerous musical categories. "March" and "The Latter Rain" are riddled with ominous doom metal progressions. "Lies of Serpents, a River of Tears" and "Ravage Ritual" call upon the style of palm-muted groove masters Living Sacrifice (gosh, ever heard of them?). Throughout the album, they do an unrelentingly excellent job of perplexing their listeners as to what they are listening to: metal or hardcore or metalcore? I must admit that whatever it is they do, I am quite fond of it.
Lyrically, the focus remains upon the spiritual throughout the album. However, while the lyrics of The Splinter Shards... were more directly connectable to passages found in the Word, these new lyrics are written in a somewhat more metaphorical/allegorical manner. Topics range from mourning ("To Think of You is to Treasure an Absent Memory") to strength in Jesus ("March") to the deception of the end times ("The Latter Rain"). While I favor more directly spiritual lyrics (ala such bands as Living Sacrifice, Crimson Thorn, Paramaecium), ZAO's latest in no way lacks for spiritual substance.
This album is certainly the best offering that the hard Christian music scene has given its listeners as of yet this year. Spectacular production (via Bruce Fitzhugh of LIVING SACRIFICE), well-written/skillfully played songs, thought-provoking lyrics make Where Blood and Fire Bring Rest a must-have for any fan of Christian metal OR hardcore.
9/10
Other coverage for this album
Exit Zine 1999Reviewed by John SantDifferent. That is the easiest way to explain Blood and Fire. With almost an entirely new lineup, Zao's sound has changed along with the new members, bringing a completely new sound. The only remaining member of the old Zao is Jesse Smith, still pounding away on the drums. Forget everything you knew about Zao, because this disc will blow you away. Those who liked the old Zao and the speed will be…The Phantom Tollbooth 1998Reviewed by Joe RockstrohIf you can hear, then you don't want to buy this record. Why will you lose your sense of hearing? Because you'll have turned the volume up too loud! Why will the volume be so high? Because this is one rocking record! Let me sing the praises of Zao. The vocals are excellent--very scary and mostly unintelligible throughout the album. The new lead singer's range is quite good, even if he…The Phantom Tollbooth 1998Reviewed by Josh SpencerEverything you've heard about this project is true. Where Blood and Fire Bring Rest demolishes the previous incarnation of Zao in every way. Forget their past albums; they don't matter. This is a study in well-produced texture--the texture of pleasantly gurgling saliva in black metal vocals, the texture of grinding distortion flowing from vibrating guitar strings. The new Zao is a slower, more…Dead Zine 1998Reviewed by Hey YouI'm not going to describe this album very much because that's done for you in the following reviews better than i could ever do. However, this review is for those who haven't heard this album before. There are 2 types of people in this category: 1. Those who have heard the new stuff and like it 2. Those who heard the new stuff and hate it and don't know how Zao can be as popular as they are For…Dead Zine 1998Reviewed by ScumBrutal noise with a thick overlay of darkened chaos and a powerful declaration of faith in Jesus Christ. Zao's new album Where Blood and Fire Bring Rest is by far their most powerful effort to date. With a driving low end and melodically discordant highs you are taken through an unforgettable journey once you hit 'play' on this album. It is very difficult to take this CD from my player, it's also…Dead Zine 1998Reviewed by CeebOh my goodness. Oh my goodness. Oh my goodness. You have to be kidding me right? You have to be kidding me, right? You have to be kidding me, NO!! There is only one way to describe the new ZAO album, satan destroying. Oh yeah, that's right, a step back for the secular world and a step up for us Christians. You just have to go out and buy the new ZAO, find it, pay whatever, I'm drooling here!!!!!…Dead Zine 1998Reviewed by MuchATTENTION HARDCORE LOATHING METAL SLAVES: REJOICE!! This is not the past ZAO that compelled you to stuff your elongated mane into your ears. It's Metal! Raspy and cruel. Yes, there are hints of distinct hXc flavor, but they are subtle, mainly brought upon by the high tuned guitar overtones. An abundance of harmonic squeals as well, marked by KORN, FORCED ENTRY, and MACHINE HEAD. The main reason I…Dead Zine 1998Reviewed by dEaDsMilEThis album can be received in two different ways. You might be disappointed because this sounds nothing like the same old ZAO you have been loving all this time and say, "this is awesome but it just isn't ZAO." Or you might be amazed that the new lineup came together and wrote these killer songs and say "IT KICKS!!! THIS IS ZAO!" Daniel Weyandt's vocals are on the black metal side, along the…Dead Zine 1998Reviewed by thOrNAnother fine release from the Solid State camp. From the first slam of the drums to the last piano note this one hooked me. I've waited for an album this good for quite some time. With the last Living Sacrifice I wondered how new metal would hold up and this has stretched boundaries in this genre as well as this particular band. While the first album was very metal-core this new one is straight…Similar sounding releases
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