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Split EP
A short and sweet ride through modern metal is what you get here with four songs (two each by both bands). Training For Utopia pounds away with a dynamic mix of instrumental jamming with distorted hardcore screaming and melodic vocal phrasing. Zao is not too far off on the musical side, but their vocals marry the shrill screaming/shrieking of black metal. These two bands, which call themselves "best of friends," combine the intensity and emotion of hardcore with the power and tight riffage of metal. All the songs are good, but the 7 minute 39 second "Police John, Police Red" stands out taller for Training For Utopia with its more dramatic shifts from lightness to screaming intensity with a solid groove. "Walk On By, Walk On Me (The Pianist's Prophecy)" stands out for Zao due to its brilliant lyrics about the terrible consequences our tongues can create for us. Musically, it's slower and more metal than "Skin Like Winter," featuring some really cool guitar trade-off parts and dying vampire vocals. Even though it's a short listen, having any new music from these amazing bands is a welcome sound. [Solid State/ DV]