Customer Reviews

(Self-Titled)

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Read Tyler Dunahoos review on the next page. Does anyone get the feeling that this is one of the guy's Zao wrote about in Trashcanhands???? i mean, if this poor lost soul is listening to Korn and Limp Bizkit, and saying it is BETTER than Zao, ONLY because Zao is CHRISTIAN!? please do NOT take what he says seriously, rather pitty the poor man, and hope that someday he'll find God, and God will show him GOOD music!

ps by saying that Zao "groans and yells 'Jesus' as loud as they can" just proves he didn't take the time to actually LISTEN to the music.

Ever since I first heard ZAO had a new CD, I was waiting for months in anticipation, and I sure tell you I am not one bit dissappointed! Ever since I bought the CD "Liberate te ex Inferis (Save Yourself From Hell)" and heard "Where Blood and Fire Bring Rest", I was amazed with their power and might that they deliver in their music and in their lyrics. This CD I have to say is must buy (like all the ZAO cds). There is a big difference though between this CD and the rest of ZAO's discography. This CD is not as dark as all the others, and I think I may know why. I have friends, parents, and have heard many other people speculate ZAO as "demonic" and "too dark and evil" for a Christian band, so they probably got a little bit annnoyed by these negative comments, so they changed around a little bit. I personally don't like hearing anything like that, because ZAO has always delivered a powerful message that is so gripping that it scares people. A couple examples, in Blood and Fire (just the title alone is extreme), the cover has a man with fire blazing from his face, and several songs on the CD talk about taking someone's life for granted before they die, which relates to singer Daniel Weyandt's life. On Liberate, there is a song (If These Scars Could Speak) about an old band member who was an outstanding church citizen, who went to hang out with this girl who was a friend of the band, and he... her, and no one believed her because he was thought to be such a great Christian, so she couldn't express her internal scars. Heavy eh? A bit too heavy for some obviously. ZAO has MANY songs like that, God has sure blessed Daniel with the gift of writing. Well, in this album, ZAO still delivers a powerful message about life, but not as much in a bloodred way like all the old stuff. It is still gripping, and I don't think any ZAO fan should be dissappointed, for this is another unreal release. Musically, the CD has a lot more melodic tunes than ever before, and it has probably the best recording by means of studio work yet. Even though this is a great CD, I don't think any CD at all could match up with Blood and Fire, but it sure comes close in my opinion. The drums are fiercer than ever and Dan shows off his vocal ability, by using his beautiful singing voice in some of the more melodic songs, and user a wider range of hardcore vocals. I think pretty much every song on it is really good, but my favorite song would have to be number 9 (The Dreams that Don't Come True), because it is probably the most emotionally touching songs on the album. So in a word, this CD is AMAZING, and a definite must buy.

I honestly did not think that "Liberate Te Ex Infernis" could be topped. But man was I wrong. This album wastes no time in pummeling with the opening track 5 Year Winter. The great thing about this album is its versatility, as the second track, Alive is Dead, has its own restrained intensity in instrumental form. Other hard-hitting tracks include A Tool To Scream, Trashcanhands, The Race of Standing Still, and The End of This World. Each song is only accented by dark and emotional tracks such as Witchunter and FJL. The versatility showcases Zao's musical dexterity, and good sense of perspective. Zao sets themselves apart from a genre stocked with rehash copycats, and this release only widens that gap. It is encouraging to see a band take risks and the result is a disk that stands up to repeated listening. So don't listen to all those kids out there who are disallusioned with Zao because they don't seem "Christian." Have any of these pre-pubescent brats read Lamentations or Job? So they don't sound like The Supertones. I am one who is thanking God for that. Do yourself a favor and get this cd, and make sure to see Zao when they come around on tour. Their live is nothing short of total intensity.

I own "Where Blood and Fire Bring Rest," along with "Liberate Te Ex Inferis." I think that "Self-Titled," covers those two albums and surpasses them. There is so much more diversity on this album. Every Song I like. The hard songs just get harder. Such as "Trash Can Hands." The first song "Five Year Winter," just jumps out the box. The lyrics are more personal towards fans and so forth on this album. So don't listen to the negative reviews, those people don't know what they're talking about. Just buy it and find out. The main reason the cd is more diverse is because Zao thought it would probably be their last album. So whatever expectations you have, through them away, because your about to get turned upside down. This album is very good vocally, production wise, lyrically and so is album art. So add it to your music collection.

The main topic I tend to see when people discuss Zao is the topic of their beliefs. Not being a religious person, I pride myself in having an open mind, and I am also proud to say I love this band and this album. Am I the only one who isn't so shallow and can look past who these men are in their private lives, and respect them for making good music and good art? No matter what you believe yourself, you should be able to enjoy this album. It's not like they are Stryper-inspired and trying to push the Bible down your throat.

On to the album itself...

The main thing shining on this album is its variety. The contrasts between heavy, destroying songs and melodic, instrumental pieces is executed perfectly. The group's ability to perform this all-around task shows that they are musicians and artists as well. I like the death metal style vocals, like in the first few tracks, better than those in tracks like "FJL", which reminds me of the Deftones' Chino Moreno singing a ballad. The vocals in "The End Of His World" sound like a cheesy nu metal song in the verses, but in the choruses redeem themselves. The drum sound has a processed, almost drum machine feel to it, which I would not normally enjoy, but it is unique in this music, and actually works.

Overall, any open-minded heavy music fan should see the originality in this recording and at least give it a try. And for the sake of whatever you choose to worship, if anything at all, keep your personal beliefs personal, and allow others to do the same, and you will see that you can enjoy many more things in life, such as the music of Zao.

I hate all forms of Christian music. But this kicks a-s. Awesome hardcore. A must have.

This is a very good CD.... the first time u listen to it, most of the songs don`t sound too great, but then if u listen to them again they rock! but even on the first time, 5 year winter and trashcanhands are awesome. I own parade of chaos, and I`ve found that that CD is much harder than this CD.... I find that this CD is hard in places, but a lot of it is softer. But That can be good too. Overall A must-have!

I love this disc. This is what hard-core music is all about. Minus 1/2 star for the song with the awful rap-chorus in it. Ouch. The rest is more than enough reason to buy this cd of crushing proportions. Comments about electronic drums are off-base. For the most part, the full band sounds GREAT with the drums and the drums themselves sound great. The kick drums are punchy but not overly so. The snare is a bit canned but again, when you throw in the punishing guitar, vocals, and bass everything gels very well. (If you want an example of *bad* electronic drums, listen to 5150 by VAN HALEN).

The first track is simply one of the most visceral, punishing tunes ever written. As I have said in reviews of two other Zao discs, you could use this one to peel the paint right off the walls. Unbelievably intense. I disagree with another reviewer who writes that the album only takes on the 'epic'-ness of WBAFBR towards the end of the disc. The first and third tracks (don't know if I've ever heard anything freakier than Dan screaming "MARTYR" over and over) prove otherwise. And need I say anything about the last track? My my my. Now that's what I call intense....

highly recommended

It's good to hear "Christian" Metal that isn't all "love Jesus or go to hell." Good songs, both musically and lyrically. The slower songs are the best to me.

OK, i saw that one reveiew by Tyler Donahoo or whatever his name was, and I just want to point out how badly he contradicted himself. If you're subject for you post is "Music is to be celebrated, not hated." then WHY did you proceed to hate on Zao?? You hate the people that like their stuff, not the band itself right...anyway, i'm sure you have met the members of the band and talked to them and everything. Basically, not everyone likes the same style of music, so deal with it. I have listened to stuff like Pantera, Soulfly, and the like before, but fact of the matter is, that stuff glorifies 'bad' stuff and thus doesn't have a good affect on peoples outlook on life and traps them in a scene. At least that is what happend to me. Oh yeah forgot to mention i'm a Christian...sold out for the Lord. If you can get a hard sound with a great message...bring on more of it i say. Everyone can have an opinion, but if it's just an eppeal to emotion or popular views then don't even bother man. If you are writing that review just to give it 1 star and make fun of them...why do you even waste your time? In closing I'd like to say: Up with hope, down with dope! ROCK ON ZAO!