If 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 shouts/screams the whole time. The best example of his range would be the opening track, "Lies of Serpents, A River of Tears," where he almost seems to hiss the song. The music is just as good as the vocals, swinging from blast-o-ramas to mosh-pit-frenzy and then to some serious head-banging grooves. The production is fantastic, quite possibly the best I have ever heard on a Christian hardcore album.
Some of the best songs are "A Fall Farewell," which has a very deep emotional vein and some awesome riffs, "Ravage Ritual," a song about false prophets which opens with a killer spoken word intro, and the end track "Violet," an instrumental tune reminiscent of Smashing Pumpkins' Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness.
Overall, I just can't say enough good things about this album. If only it was longer, my life would be complete.
4 tocks ( 5 if it were longer )
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 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…Similar sounding releases
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1998Split EP
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