Zao

Pathfinders – Ares Vallis Review

By Doom_et_Al on April 14, 2021 in Reviews, Groove Metal, Metalcore, 28 comments

“Pathfinders’ sound is a robotic casing of groove metal which houses a metalcore rover that it uses to explore expansive concepts of the infinite. The metalcore tag can be a poisonous one in these parts, so let’s be clear straight off the bat: Pathfinders is more Killswitch Engage and less Zao. More djent and less prog. This is your high-school chewing-gum metalcore, back when Linkin Park seemed edgy. This will be deal-breaker for some, and if you are one of those folks who can’t stand the sound, I bid you farewell and Godspeed as you take the escape pod on your journey to the next review.” Explore-core.

Zao – The Crimson Corridor Review

By Grymm on April 7, 2021 in Reviews, Metalcore, Post-Metal, Sludge, 88 comments

“As someone who’s candidly gone on record about mental health in the past, it’s always a gamble for me to dive into an album that heavily focuses on such a difficult subject. It’s not often that it’s treated with the necessary weight and care that it undoubtedly deserves, and more often than not, for every one An Isolated Mind‘s I’m Losing Myself, there are about 50 of these littering the scene, taking up way too much space and energy. If there’s one band, though, that can tackle it with grace and honesty, it’s Pennsylvania’s Zao.” Corridors of the mind.

Yashira – Fail To Be [Things You Might Have Missed 2020]

By Grymm on January 16, 2021 in Things You Might Have Missed 2020, Sludge, 10 comments

It’s difficult to bounce back after a massive loss. Jacksonville’s Yashira were riding high on not only an excellent debut album in 2018’s Shrine, but also via fervent word of mouth about their abrasive live shows (including a coveted spot in that year’s Welcome to Rockville), and a split with metalcore legends Zao. However, with the tragic death of drummer Seth Howard later that year, you’d be forgiven if you expected Yashira to call it a day.” Failing upward.

Heron – Time Immemorial Review

By Carcharodon on May 20, 2020 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

By Grymm on July 8, 2019 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

By Grymm on May 17, 2018 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

By Grymm on January 5, 2018 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

By Grymm on November 9, 2017 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

By Grymm on December 28, 2016 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

By Grymm on December 9, 2016 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.