Tag: ZAO

October 24, 2024

June 20, 2024

REVIEW : XREDLINEX - Tongue Tied

xREDLINEx is somewhat of a supergroup, from the DIY/independent hardcore scene, featuring ex-members of Zao, 2Minute Minor, October Bird of Death, Blindside (the one from Chicago, not Sweden or Pennsylvania), and several others. The music on Tongue Tied features a throwback sound that is a mixture of late 80s hardcore and mid-90s metallic hardcore. Unlike 2Minute Minor, there is not a strong punk presence, and while there is no metalcore whatsoever, there are some clearly metallic riffs a la 90s ‘chugga chugga’ style hardcore. That’s all cool in my book as that’s one of my favorite subgenres of hardcore, and there seems to be a real lack of the style is the current scene.… Continued →

March 31, 2024

February 24, 2023

Song of the Day: Seasons in the Field - Eternity

Hailing from the tri-state area of West Virginia/Pennsylvania/Ohio,this metalcore band only released one cassette demo and one split CD with emocore band Pensive. What is interesting about that split–that is, besides being a spectacular release from two very good and rather unique bands–is that both bands featured members that would soon after go on to join the more well-known Zao. Pensive featured Brett Detar and Martin Lunn, as well as other members who joined Detar’s later band The Juliana Theory. Seasons in the Field featured Russ Cogdell on guitar, and future Zao screamer Dan Weyandt.… Continued →

April 3, 2022

Islander - Skin Crawl feat. Korn, ZAO, Living Sacrifice (Official Lyric Video)

This absolutely insane new song from the band Islander featuring a line up that’ll make you drool over, just hit in lyric video form. Not only that but the entire new Islander album released on Friday to much surprise and it hits HARD. Check out the song “Skin Crawl” featuring Brian Head Welch of Korn, Dan from ZAO, and Bruce from Living Sacrifice on really heavy new song that mixes a combination of genres and styles into a chaotic yet somehow melodic, set of songs. Islander “It’s Not Easy Being Human” is out now on all digital networks.… Continued →

March 5, 2022

August 21, 2020

February 21, 2020

Song of the Day: Zao - Lies of Serpents, a River of Tears

Zao had already made a name for themselves, working up from the underground, with a 7″, cassette demo(s) and 2 full-lengths. They were quickly becoming known for taking hardcore in a new direction. I remember a friend telling me that although he loved the riffs on their sophomore effort Splinter Shards the Birth of Separation, he also found them really hard to dance to. With the third album, they would push the metallic limits of hardcore even further. From those opening riffs you knew this was going to be something special.… Continued →

February 13, 2020

March 15, 2018

ZAO Reissues Original All Else Failed Recording on Vinyl, CD, Cassette

ZAO is reissuing their classic mid 90’s debut “All Else Failed” with new mastering job and redone artwork, through Steadfast Records. Steadfast Records is owned and run by Matt Traxler who is a former member of Six Feet Deep, Brandtson, and a ton of other bands over the years. The label has had a resurgence of sorts and has been re-releasing their old albums in Digital format and now physical media. Pre-order this ZAO album in a few different bundles right here. [Thanks Seth D.]… Continued →

November 8, 2017

REVIEW : Zao - Pyrrhic Victory

Zao is quite the story. They began 24 years ago and are still kicking, releasing music. And it should be said that they’re not just still kicking, they’re bashing the doors in and reminding their fans that there is more to metal than repeated breakdowns and over-produced, cookie-cutter nonsense. Returning with “Pyrrhic Victory,” a five track EP, Zao holds nothing back. It’s five songs of relentless screams from Daniel Weydant, and riffs and riffs and riffs. There’s something special and simple of this type of release.… Continued →

September 22, 2017

Zao Pre-Orders for Upcoming EP

Zao has announced that they have a new EP coming out here soon, and is available for pre-order now. The EP is titled Pyrrhic Victory, which has 5 new songs.
  1. Drifting Shadows in Walking Dreams
  2. Gifts of Flower and Stone
  3. Clawing, Clawing, Never Cutting Through
  4. The Host Has Bared Its Teeth
  5. Feed It Pain
The EP is said to arrive on or around November 3rd, if you pre-order. The album will also be released on November 3rd digitally, on CD, and three variants of vinyl.… Continued →

September 10, 2017

The Best of 1997: Favorite Hits From 20 Years Ago

Yep, the list you’ve all been waiting for (not really) is finally here. Feel free to offer up some laughs and critical remarks for the music I listened to the most 20 years ago. You’ll notice a heavy T&N presence and I just couldn’t help myself. There were a lot of albums and releases I found myself spinning back then and still getting plays today. I think that’s where this list falls in place, it’s the albums that had the longest lasting impact with me and had a catchy sound that I just couldn’t get enough of.… Continued →

August 28, 2017

August 18, 2017

July 14, 2017

To Live As Sons release New Song "Get the Horizon"

To Live As Sons, the new spirit filled hardcore band from Pennsylvania, has announced a new track titled “Get the Horizon” being released on Friends Volume 3. The band consists of two former members of ZAO, original vocalist Eric Reeder and original bassist Mic Cox. The band has released an EP through ZAP Records, titled beaten.broken.alive. Continued →

June 30, 2017

Steadfast Records Resurfaces, Original ZAO Releases Get Re-Released

Steadfast Records has returned and with that comeback is the announcement that the first 2 releases by ZAO (before they signed with Solid State) have been re-released. That’s right kiddos, get “All Else Failed” (original version), and the ZAO/Outcast “Split” on all digital networks. Listen on Spotify below. Steadfast Records was the work of Matt Traxler, a member of legendary groups like Six Feet Deep, and Brandtson before those amazing bands broke up. My hope is for a Brandtson reunion. Can’t wait for the “Radiowaves and Other Gibberish” Compilation to get the re-release treatment Continued →

April 28, 2017

Indie Vision Music and ZAP Records Live Stream: To Live As Sons - May 23rd

Indie Vision Music and ZAP Records are proud to bring you an exclusive LIVE STREAM from the band To Live As Sons on May 23rd at 7:30pm EST. Find out more info on the band and this upcoming “show”, below. To Live As Sons are an aggressive spirit-filled hardcore band featuring two former members of ZAO (early days). The group recently released their debut 3 song ep through ZAP Records back in January. Listen below. Continued →

April 17, 2017

10 Heavy Bands You Should Listen To

Well it’s been awhile since I’ve wrote one of these. So I hope you all enjoy and I hope you check these amazing bands out! Go headbang! 10. Every Knee Shall Bow Every Knee Shall Bow is a death metal band that started in 2002, with brothers Drew and DJ Wibblesman, but didn’t get going until 2008, when their two younger brothers came of age: Cole and Shane. Two years later, the band hired their friend Chris Hull and recorded an EP titled Weary Warriors.… Continued →

February 9, 2017

January 30, 2017

Me and the Trinity Reunite in 2017

The Christian hardcore band, Me and the Trinity have announced they are reuniting for a show in February. Me and the Trinity has announced they are playing Aura Fest with bands such as ZAO, Unearth, Oh Sleeper, He Is Legend, and Artifex Pereo. The band formed in 2010 but broke up in 2015. They released three EPs and a single studio album titled The Beginning. The End. The Time in Between. All of their releases are available at Bandcamp.
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January 10, 2017

January 2, 2017

December 9, 2016

December 1, 2016

ZAO Streaming "The Well-Intentioned Virus" in full

PA Metalcore act Zao are at it again. With their 11th album, The Well-Intentioned Virus to be released on December 9, 2016, the band has decided to give everyone a preview of the album. The album can be streamed here. The band has been hyping this album up since 2014 or so. The band even released some music in 2015. The Xenophobe EP is available for purchase below. Continued →

November 28, 2016

October 31, 2016

October 17, 2016

Introducing: To Live As Sons (Ex-ZAO)

Introducing a new band to you today. They are called To Live As Sons and feature a few former members from ZAO’s “The Splinter Shards the Birth Of Separation” (and before) era. They play a fiery blend of Spirit Filled Hardcore meant to get your adrenaline pumping and your fists in the air. This is some of the most solid independent hardcore I’ve heard in recent years and I encourage you to check them out. Listen to their new songs, below. Look for their debut ep soon.… Continued →

October 16, 2016