Album Review: Zeal & Ardor - Zeal & Ardor
Reviewed by Tim Finch
Over the past few years Zeal & Ardor have been somewhat of a phenomenon, their stock rising fast, so fast it passed many people by. The buzz around them swarmed quickly leaving many of us to wonder where have this group suddenly come from? The answer of course is Basel in Switzerland where band mastermind Manuel Gagneux put together his troupe to produce their entrancing form of avant-garde metal.
The self titled ‘Zeal & Ardor’ album is the groups third studio release since 2016, building on that buzz around them and is sure to take them to new heights. The album opens with a short, almost industrial number; dark and foreboding it sets a tone that leads into ‘Run’ which ups the pace, drops the atmosphere and throbs in the listeners ear keeping them gripped by the music.
As the album progresses Zeal & Ardor really stretch their legs, expanding their horizons. ‘Death To The Holy’ switches things on its head, the intro could be off an Amy Winehouse album, but a dark foreboding shadow in the background soon emerges. The song melds two differing styles perfectly switching personas at the drop of a hat leaving you on the edge of your seat, listening intently.
The term “avant-garde” metal can be somewhat of a turn off. It immediately draws images of bands like Igorrr and Imperial Triumphant which many deem as “marmite” bands. You either love them or hate them. Zeal & Ardor approach the broad genre much differently than the aforementioned acts, and in doing so produce a record that is far more accessible. ‘Immersion’ a soothing come down song after that heady night in a club, ‘Feed The Machine’ a battering ram of noise and aggression.
In their self titled album Zeal and Ardor have produced a career defining work, accessible yet retaining their abstract ideas. Gentle and calming yet aggressive and brutal all in one package.
