Band: Zao
Album: The Fear is What Keeps Us Here (Ferret Music)
Year: 2006
Website: http://www.zaoonline.com
Rating: 7.5/10
Already on their tenth album, Zao have come along way since their early Christian Hardcore style, and "The Fear..." see's them once again evolving their style into what can only be described as experimental Metalcore.
The band's numerous line-up changes throughout the years has obviously not hindered their progress in the slightest, as they turn up the intensity and add Grindcore influences to their usual thrash and speed metal riffs that makes them sound even more sludgy and brutal. They lose some of that Christian edge this time around, and there are no concepts as such, and they now deal with a variety of subject matters such as Death, Politics and Zombies. Unfortunately, whilst the album is an aggressive listen, it can also become a little monotonous at times, as there is very little in terms of tempo changes. Whilst intense is good, "The Fear..." can get a little too intense for my liking.
With this being their most abrasive album to date, Zao are an interesting band with some great ideas. They're well worth checking out, even if I did have to wimp out and listen to them in moderations.
Band: Zao
Album: The Funeral of God (Ferret Music)
Year: 2004
Website: http://www.zaoonline.com
Rating: 7/10
Does the title imply a great change in direction for the Zao camp spiritually speaking?
Nope, still rockin’ for Christ in a genre that wants them impaled for such allegiance. Like a neo-nazi hip hop act they still just don’t make any sense, but one thing is for certain "The Funeral of God" is Zao’s best record ever. Whereas before they were a messy half-assed wreck with one or two decent songs per record, this funeral packs a wallop. It lands somewhere between the Nain Rouge, Remembering Never and Shadows Fall with a diversity that bitchfists’ many of their peers. I’m listening to Christian music and loving it. Ugh.
This is even worse than that drunken memory of hanging out a Grand Marquis window puking straight 151 while Kid Rock jams on some obnoxious whiggers system. Excuse me as I rent Jesus Christ Vampire Slayer...! Review by Ryan Bartek
Band: Zedher
Album: Metal Possession MCD (Self Released)
Year: 2004
Website: http://www.zedher.com
Rating: 8/10
Coming as a total surprise, these Italians play a kind of Death/Thrash with harsh Black Metal vocals.
This four track Demo/MCD showcases a band who on top of their game, and makes for an interesting and quite exciting listen. Although it's over pretty quickly, they leave you wanting more, which can only be a good thing.
Its only four tracks long, but it's more than enough to get an idea of what these guys are about, they can do fast and slow, melodic or aggressive and it remains fairly technical throughout. Definitely one to check out, and say you got in early, before we start to hear more about them. Very promising to say the least!
Band: Zero Cipher
Album: Diary of a Sadist (Anticulture Records)
Year: 2006
Website: http://www.zerocipher.com
Rating: 5/10
Hmmm, masterpiece or a mess? I don't really know.
First off, "Diary of a Sadist" is definitely for those into the more aggressive, noisy and diversified sounds. They have some great idea's but they just don't really hit the mark with me. The recording is a bit questionable too, I don't know whether its meant to sound like this but the album sounds tinny and totally devoid of any Bass. The whole thing is very modern sounding and very diverse, but whether that's a good thing I just don't know. The album rambles on for 40 odd minutes through it weirdness and down right disturbing path, sure it's unique, I'll give them that, but it will leave you thinking what the hell is going on in their mind.
For me though, there is just too many things going on at once with the loops and samples, the somewhat screeched vocals and the unusual guitar leads. Couldn't really get into it.
Band: Ziras, Theodore
Album: Virtual Virtuosity (Secret Port Records)
Year: 2003
Website: http://www.theodoreziras.com
Rating: 8/10
After a stint as lead guitarist with bands such as Ice Divine and Guardian Angel, Theodore Ziras released his first solo album back in 2001 called "Trained to Play" which was released on the Greek label Steel Gallery Records.
Almost 2 years later during serving his military duty, Theodore prepared his 2nd instrumental album "Virtual Virtuosity" which was released in March 2003 on Secret Port Records. Well, what can I say about this? This is easily some of the most technical guitar work I have ever heard. Well composed, Neo-Classical songs that isn't just flooded with solo's from start to finish, the songs actually very complex and well structured.
The only down side to an otherwise great album is the Rhythm programming, it does get very repetitive but fortunately you don't really notice it that much . I think that he needs to get a proper band together as this will be the icing on the cake. The good thing about "Virtual Virtuosity" is, whilst it's obvious the guy is a truly amazing guitarist, the album isn't just 11 tracks of blatant big-headed, show-off work. Theodore Ziras has a very bright future ahead of him, I just hope he is backed by a band when he returns with his next album. Well worth investing in.
Band: Zombi
Album: Cosmos (Relapse Records)
Year: 2004
Website: http://www.zombi.us
Rating: 7/10
Moog stampede!!
Holy shit it's like Goblin reunited to pay homage to 1980's science class chemistry videos. Numan-esque simplicity follows with a one-dimensional, foofy Kraftwerk design. All I can see when I close my eyes is Robot Jox. Thank you Charles Band!! Review by Ryan Bartek
Band: Zonaria
Album: Rendered in Vain (Independent Release)
Year: 2006
Website: http://www.zonaria.com
Rating: 8/10
I received an email from these guys asking if I would consider reviewing their latest three-track demo. None of the four-piece has reached 20 years old yet, and to be honest, I was really expecting some low budget, poorly produced demo that I would have to struggle with in regards to writing a review.
I couldn't have been any further from the truth. Zonaria play very high quality Melodic Death Metal, especially from a band so young and considering it's only a demo. The Melodic yet aggressive riffing, backup by haunting keyboard passages create a very interesting listen. If you’re into the whole Melodic Death thing, and you've not been impressed by the new direction of In Flames and Soilwork, then Zonaria are a band I would definitely recommend to you.
These guys are still only young, and clearly have a very bright future ahead of them. They've been in contact with labels regarding the release of their debut, and if it's going to be anything like this demo, Zonaria is going to be a name we hear much more of.
Band: Zubrowska
Album: Family Vault (Xtreem Music)
Year: 2005
Website: http://www.zubrowska.com
Rating: 4/10
While "Family Vault" has its share of glimpses of brilliance, the overall mission of Zubrowska is far too schizophrenic to garner any sort of mass appeal.
In ten tracks, this group seeks to run the gamut from noisy Grindcore to deathly trips to the mall and the end result is quite frankly a bit too chaotic for any of the band's material to be overtly memorable. They're very similar in nature to Goodfellow Records bands like The Smackdown, Zubrowska go for maximum abrasiveness, at times to the point of being completely overbearing.
If this group could pick one angle and stick with it, they'd be far better off, but ultimately, "Family Vault" is a no-go from the get-go. Review by Erin Fox
Band: Zubrowska
Album: One On Six (Xtreem Music)
Year: 2003
Website: http://www.zubrowska.com
Rating: 7/10
I think "One On Six" is a little too weird for my liking, there are some interesting parts and there are also some parts that I find a little annoying.
Zubrowska combine elements of death, grind, noise and modern metal to create an aggressive concoction which lacks any real melody. One thing though is you can't accuse Zubrowska of being is unoriginal, there are some very technical moments on "One for Six" and although it's fairly aggressive it lacks any real brutality and few of the songs lack something that I can't place my finger on, they seem to just start and then finish which leave you scratching your head.
There are really any comparisons that instantly come to mind but I'm sure there are people out there who will call this a masterpiece of modern metal, so don't take my word for it and head over to their new website, it isn't finished yet but has a couple of MP3's for you to check out.
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