Okay, first of all these guys scared me while I was driving my car in broad daylight. Now, with that said, I'm going to come clean on something. I have never been a Zao fan. But after reviewing this album, I have a much better opinion of them. It's difficult to miss the artistry on this one. The fact that this collection of tunes doesn't constantly show off the size of the drummer's calves (i.e. kick the machine gun-like double bass) says a lot.
Zao displays maturity by mixing slow, thoughtful instrumentals reminiscent of well, the Abyss if you really want to know, with ripping metal numbers that make Korn look like a bunch of pre-pubescent acoustic plunkers.
But try though I might, I just can't seem to get around the fact that there's virtually an absence of vocal melody on this album. This has always been a turn-off for me. To sum it all up, Zao rips really hard and has a good disk here. Zao fans will be pleased, Coldplay fans will not...
B+
Other coverage for this album
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