Tooth & Nail

Yer Metal Is Olde: Zao – Where Blood and Fire Bring Rest

Yer Metal Is Olde: Zao – Where Blood and Fire Bring Rest

“Let’s just say you’re in a hardcore band with a niche-but-loyal audience. You just completed a major festival, embarked on a fairly successful US tour, and you’re about to write your next album when your bandmates decide, ‘Hey, you know what? I’m giving up music for the ministry.’ Folks, that’s what happened in 1997, to Jesse Smith, (now former) drummer for (then-)Virginia’s Christian hardcore outfit, Zao.” Cross-core and more.

Retro-spective Review:  Zao – Liberate Te Ex Inferis

Retro-spective Review: Zao – Liberate Te Ex Inferis

“I realize that my covering this album will be a little controversial for some readers out there. Yes, the cover is a close-up of a dude’s heavily made-up eyeball, accentuated by black fingernail-polished hands. And yes, it’s metalcore.” We dont often highlight metalcore albums (for obvious reasons ), but Grymm has a soft spot for this golden oldie of the core scene.