Zao

Heron – Time Immemorial Review

Posted by Carcharodon in Reviews, Sludge, 14 comments

“The AMG staff room—virtual only at the moment, of course, with even time in skull pit restricted to one scribe at a time—is divided sharply on sludge as a genre. Some of the hacks view it as tedious, talentless and almost beneath contempt. They are, of course, wrong. Those holding the correct view, including Cherd’s magnificent beard and yours truly, have a huge soft spot for its crushingly abrasive doom-laden awesomeness. And it’s just as well for East Vancouver natives, Heron, that it’s me reviewing this, and not one of those haters.” In sludge some trust.

An Isolated Mind – I’m Losing Myself Review

Posted by Grymm in 2019, American Metal, Experimental Metal, I Voidhanger Records, Post-metal, Reviews, Experimental Metal, Post-Metal, 68 comments

“Kameron Bogges isn’t exactly a household name. In fact, prior to today’s review, the only thing I had to go by is that he’s the sole proprietor of one-man experimental act Four Hoove Death Pig, who has an album dedicated to baking banana bread under its belt. Sadly, about a year or so, Bogges suffered the all-too-real hospitalization brought on by what I can imagine would be a manic episode and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. The ongoing struggle, as well as coping with such a maligned mental health condition, inspired I’m Losing Myself, released under the guise of An Isolated Mind.” Reflections on a struggle.

Reverorum ib Malacht – Im Ra Distare Summum Soveris Seris Vas innoble Review

Posted by Grymm in 2018, Annapurna, Black Metal, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Black Metal, 127 comments

“When a band, such as Sweden’s Reverorum ib Malacht, takes on a slant when it comes to lyrical matter and atmosphere, my curiosity gets the better of me, and on their fourth album, the wordy Im Ra Distare Summum Soveris Seris Vas innoble, I tossed caution to the wind, and embraced the thought of unblack metal with an open mind, and an open heart…” Open heart, insert foot.

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

Posted by Grymm in 2018, American Metal, Metalcore, Tooth & Nail, Yer Metal Is Olde, Metalcore, 38 comments

“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.

Converge – The Dusk in Us Review

Posted by Grymm in 2017, American Metal, Epitaph Records, Hardcore, Metalcore, Reviews, Hardcore, Metalcore, 77 comments

“But for whatever reason, the band fell off the radar for me after 1998’s incredible When Forever Comes Crashing. Simply put, I thought I outgrew their chaotic brand of hardcore. And because of that, I missed one of the biggest about-faces with their legendary 2000 album, Jane Doe; an album that married their atonal metalcore with thick post-metal influences. It’s only been in recent years that I’ve been playing catch-up with their catalog, and the amount of progress on each subsequent album has been nothing short of astounding.” Rising in the gloaming.

Grymm’s Top Ten(ish) of 2016

Posted by Grymm in 2016, Blog Posts, Lists, 84 comments

“I’ve been hitting the backspace key a lot as I’m writing my Top Ten(ish). Not because of a lack of anything witty to say, or a sheepishness of my selections. No, rather it’s because I’m of two minds as I type this.” Two minds, but only one weighty list!

Zao – The Well-Intentioned Virus Review

Posted by Grymm in 2016, American Metal, Hardcore, Metalcore, Observed/Observer Recordings, Reviews, Hardcore, Metalcore, 60 comments

“Pennsylvania’s Zao needs no further introduction. One of metalcore’s pioneering bands influenced a huge swath of groups, mainstream and underground, with their chaotic riffing, pummeling rhythms, honest, heart-wrenching lyrics and venomous screaming of Dan Weyandt. And while the band endured quite the past, Zao continue to walk to the beat of their own drum while inviting the fans to come along.” December sucks for new releases, until it doesn’t.

Vattnet Viskar – Settler Review

Posted by Grymm in 2015, American Metal, Black Metal, Century Media, Post-metal, Reviews, Black Metal, Post-Metal, 39 comments

“I’m going to get this out of the way regarding Vattnet Viskar‘s second album, Settler right now: that is the saddest album cover I’ve seen in my almost-two years of writing for Angry Metal Guy, and I’m not talking “OMG THEY WENT FULL DEAFHEAVEN!,” either.” But it would be very sad if they did go full Deafheaven, just to be clear.

Retro-spective Review: Zao – Liberate Te Ex Inferis

Posted by Grymm in American Metal, Metalcore, Retro Reviews, Solid State, Tooth & Nail, Metalcore, 7 comments

“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.