Zeal & Ardor – GREIF (Album Review)
Zeal & Ardor – GREIF
Released: 23rd August, 2024
Lineup
Manuel Gagneux | Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards, Synthesizer & Programming
Tiziano Volante | Guitars
Lukas Kurmann | Bass
Marco Von Allmen | Drums
Marc Obrist | Vocals
Denis Wagner | Vocals
Online
If a music enthusiast was to ask for the best description of Zeal & Ardor, what would the answer be? The (now) sextet might just be one of the most brilliantly baffling and unfathomably unique avant-garde metal outfits in the heavy music universe currently. Understandably then, this enquiry is rather difficult to answer.
The whole project was inspired by the question:
“What if American slaves had embraced Satan instead of Jesus?”
This would presumedly let the analysts’ imaginations run wild with what genres are remarkably fused together in Z&A’s sound. This is presently well known on a global scale to include: traditional blues, “slave music”, rhythm and blues, neo-soul and extreme black metal from the critically acclaimed three studio albums and EP included in the ExperiMETAList group’s discography thus far.
However, does this information best describe Zeal & Ardor?
With the imminent release of full-length number four entitled GREIF arriving Friday August 23, the best explanation of the six-piece’s art perhaps lies in the mastermind behind the project’s own lyrics from the lead single and LP closer ‘to my ilk’.
“They`ll take you places you have never been.” - Manuel Gagneux.
Are you ready for an adventure?
Opener ‘the Bird, the Lion and the Wildkin’ is the grand entrance for GREIF and these 93 seconds are more than just an introduction, they are the declaration for a cinematic expedition. Remember the opening to the 1994 Academy Award winning film The Lion King and the anthem ‘Circle Of Life’? With its astounding aura and luminosity? That enchantment is emanated here, but with a metal makeover. The evocative synthesiser oscillations, marching drums courtesy of Marco Von Allmen which inject an awe-inspiring adrenaline and then Gagneux recites his poetic call to arms: “We’re never going to stop now”. It sends shivers throughout the witnesses’ bodies and Manuel’s voice achieves tantalising tones that have not been expressed before. Honestly, it almost feels as if this incredible initiation is cut short. However, there are 12 more chapters to this enterprise, this is only the magnificent message to ‘Be Prepared’.
A haunting glockenspiel begins ‘Fend You Off’ as a slight misdirect; the track evolves into a borderline schizophrenic experience between its changes from eerie soul music flirting with chamber pop, to blasting alternative metal. The triple vocal attack is simply breathtaking, and the song builds in power stirringly; suddenly it breaks into an Emperor inspired black metal interlude and it is a delightful disorientation and flawless in its complexity.
‘Kilanova’ literally sets the spectators’ heartbeats with Lukas Kurmann’s bewildering bass pulsations, yet the spooky journey emits a fantastically fascinating ambience as if Gary Clark Jr. explored the world of nu-metal. ‘are you the only one now?’ carries on this ominous tone fashioned into a bewitching lullaby. This hypnotism transforms at about the two-minute-mark, where the composition is amplified superbly into a black metal collaboration with soulful melodies.
‘Go Home My Friend’ evokes an enigmatic chant that demands a sing-along and will be beyond captivating in a live scenario. The synthesisers also add an infectious Kraftwerk atmosphere sublimely. Single ‘Clawing Out’ is Zeal & Ardor at their most thrillingly unnerving, channelling Nailbomb to a degree, but in another evil universe that is unreachable in human form. Truthfully, this chilling composition could have fit on the spectacular Queen Of The Damned soundtrack, but it also wouldn’t have due to its bleak brilliance. ‘Disease’ is an outstanding oddity and a track The Black Keys wish they could construct – does that question at the beginning of this article carry more merit now?
‘369’ is ‘Go Home My Friend’ chapter two in essence, although an injection of The Prodigy’s energetic electropunk beats filter their way in majestically. ‘Thrill’ has a groove to it that The Sword would marvel at including an immeasurable injection of swagger. ‘une ville vide’ (‘an empty city’ translated) would work too perfectly in the credits of an episode of Stranger Things, and ‘Sugarcoat’ is vivaciously villainous with its metal derivation of what Queens Of The Stone Age wish they could execute if they aimed for a heavier number.
‘Solace’ is the album’s epiphany – this artistic creation isn’t just a highlight; it is above eloquent and compelling. Joy Division’s ‘The Eternal’ is a possible archetype and Trent Reznor would probably be envious of this pièce de résistance . It isn’t post-punk, it isn’t necessarily industrial either – it somehow, spellbindingly leads into a heavy metal spirituality and the idea of collecting some form of sanity after this phenomenon seems almost impossible. This could have been the Closer and what a conclusion this would have been; however, there are places Zeal & Ardor devotees haven’t been yet with LP number four.
Good GREIF, ‘Hide In Shade’ is Zeal defined impeccably and sophisticatedly. “If a music enthusiast was to ask for the best description of Zeal & Ardor, what would the answer be?” PLAY. THIS. SONG.
‘to my ilk’ is the wind down, the delicacy and the tranquillity. Marcel Gagneux movingly serenades: “Only when thе day come, you can sail away” and that closure is where this full-length transcends a triumph and becomes timeless.
“They`ll take you places you have never been.”
Zeal & Ardor – GREIF tracklisting
1. the Bird, the Lion, and the Wildkin
2. Fend You Off
3. Kilonova
4. are you the only one now?
5. Go home my friend
6. Clawing out
7. Disease
8. 369
9. Thrill
10. une ville vide
11. Sugarcoat
12. Solace
13. Hide in Shade
14. to my ilk
Rating: 9.5/10
GREIF is out now via Redacted GmbH. Get it here
Review by Will Oakeshott
