Customer Reviews

The Splinter Shards the Birth of Separation

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Zao just can't help but be the best hardcore band. I think this is the best cd just for the simple fact that the music itself is better that Liberate Te Ex Inferis and more talented than Where Blood and Fire Bring Rest. I'd say this is a definite buy, but then again all Zao cd's are a definite buy.

The Splinter Shards The Birth Of Separation is Zao's 5th release. It was their second full length (after All Else Failed in the spring of 1996) and their first release on Solid State Records. Many people believe it's their first album, but that's because they don't know what they're talking about. =)
Their first recording (which I have) was only released on tape and was titled "Sustained". It was sold by the band with no label or distributor help. In 1995 Zao recorded their first "serious" endeavour. A song called "Flight" for THE TIE THAT BINDS. This was a Split 7" with Outcast that was released on Steadfast Records; which was owned by Matt Traxler (Six Feet Deep, Brandtson).
The second release was a full length released (again) on Steadfast Records in the spring of 1996. This release was titled ALL ELSE FAILED. This was re-released years later by KMG. Their third release was the song "Repressed" which was included on the TREADWATER 7" with the band Through And Through. Also from Steadfast Records.
And that... brings us to SPLINTER. I know a lot of people hate this album simply because it sounds like a different band. Well come on people, if you want to get technical EVERY FREAKIN' ZAO CD _IS_ A DIFFERENT BAND! Like so many other bands, Zao was simply learning who they were and defining themselves musically. In my opinion, it was a great process to listen to. Personally I didn't like the CD all that much at first, but the more I listen to it the more I absolutely love it.
There's such an awesome blend of metal and hardcore. The musicianship is as technical as it needs to be. The vocals are terribly emotional and the effects... This album helped spawn a group who's sound has been copied more than any other. I honestly believe that.
If you started with more recent Zao CD's, beware. This could catch you off guard. It's more hardcore than the sludgy, lurching metal that was BLOOD AND FIRE. Still an absolute must-have.

In The Splinter Shards The Birth Of Separation Zao travels down a hardcore highway that begs to be renamed anything but the simplistic sounding "hardcore". Zao is very complex musically and screams with defiance at musical conventionalities. Jesse Smith's drumming on this album was phenomenal and even though some people discount Shawn Jonas' screaming style I think it sounded perfect with the instrumentals on this album. My favorite tracks were Repressed, Exchange, Times Of Separation, and In Loving kindness

I realize that some people don't appreciate how the original singer "sang". I like zao as a whole. As they have proggressed as a band I don't think they have gotten better or worse. I take them as a whole. I do slighty perfer the vocals on this album. It has a more "hard core" touch to it. I try not to get involved in the message that they put out(although you don't know that message until you read the lyrics). It would be iggnorant of me to say that I only like bands for their music not their message becuase the message is half the battle of being a band. I love Zao's energy and additude. It is a relief to see a christian band portray their music in such a different way from the way church and society would like it to be presented. Overall Zao is definitly on my favorite band list and if you do not have this album you should get it. Whether or not you have heard them before.

This is ZAO's worst CD. That's right and it got 5 stars! This is an amazing hardcore epic that never lets up. The vocals are decent, but not as good as dan's or corey's. This was before ZAO turned into the monstrous metal band they are now. The bass is great, the guitars are awesome, but the drumming steels the show. If you're used to new ZAO you'll have to let this one grow on you, but for fans of strongarm, overcome, and innermeans this is for you. I recommend it. I loved it. It was amazing. I'm glad that I got this. Every song rules. An absolute must buy for hardcore fans.

Shawn jonas is a genius. Theres more heart and soul put into his music than anyone else on the palnet. Get this album

I never liked the cover design. It looks stupid. And, when listening I cant help but think how much better Dan is at vocals. This is good though, there is a lot of emotion in this music. No not emo. The screaming is very good, and the rest is decent. I love how its this scary sounding (not to me, to others) music thats singing about love for God. Beautiful album.

For those of you who started listening to Zao after the "original" line-up, this albums musical and lyrical content might come as a shock. It definatly does take some getting used to, but once you do get used to it, you'll love it. It is much less "metalcore" then that of Where Blood and Fire Bring Rest and Liberate Te Ex Infernis. It has a much more raw sound to it, and a much more pronounced message. The guitars are much more technical, and the bass is much more noticible, especially with a bass intro. Jesse's drumming is perhaps the best on this album then on any other! It's mind blowing. Now, a lot of people will complain about Shawn Jonas' vocals, but when you hear the raw emotion and even love that is soaked with every passionate yell, I find it hard to believe he quit. All in all, this album is beautiful. Buy this and you will love yourself, and the band more then ever before.

For those of you who started listening to Zao after the "original" line-up, this albums musical and lyrical content might come as a shock. It definatly does take some getting used to, but once you do get used to it, you'll love it. It is much less "metalcore" then that of Where Blood and Fire Bring Rest and Liberate Te Ex Infernis. It has a much more raw sound to it, and a much more pronounced message. The guitars are much more technical, and the bass is much more noticible, especially with a bass intro. Jesse's drumming is perhaps the best on this album then on any other! It's mind blowing. Now, a lot of people will complain about Shawn Jonas' vocals, but when you hear the raw emotion and even love that is soaked with every passionate yell, I find it hard to believe he quit. All in all, this album is beautiful. Buy this and you will love yourself, and the band more then ever before.

For those of you who started listening to Zao after the "original" line-up, this albums musical and lyrical content might come as a shock. It definatly does take some getting used to, but once you do get used to it, you'll love it. It is much less "metalcore" then that of Where Blood and Fire Bring Rest and Liberate Te Ex Infernis. It has a much more raw sound to it, and a much more pronounced message. The guitars are much more technical, and the bass is much more noticible, especially with a bass intro. Jesse's drumming is perhaps the best on this album then on any other! It's mind blowing. Now, a lot of people will complain about Shawn Jonas' vocals, but when you hear the raw emotion and even love that is soaked with every passionate yell, I find it hard to believe he quit. All in all, this album is beautiful. Buy this and you will love yourself, and the band more then ever before.