Zao
Parade of Chaos
In today's flash-in-the-pan/flavor-of-the-month music industry, few modern bands will be remembered beyond their existence. ZAO, however, has not only managed to avoid following trends, they've become metal legends. And despite the band's revolving door membership, when it comes time to make a new record, Jesse Smith is always able to rally the fold and churn out something so fresh, innovative, and heavy that ZAO's imprint will be left on extreme music for years to come. Parade of Chaos is yet another stroke through uncharted waters, this time utilizing even more melody, as well as a bizarre techno-electronica instrumental. Some of the disc's 10 tracks don't seem to fit ZAO. Jesse steps up for a take at lead vocals, this time in the better-left-for-another-solo-album, semi-acoustic "Man in the Womb." "Angel Without Wings" finds Dan Weyandt full-on singing the chorus alongside various black metal screams, to what is seemingly a love song. While it sort of leaves you wondering why he doesn't sing more, the song as a whole never quite works. These arguable problems aside, the album is good. The title track marches with a punk-like ferocity. "Killing Cupid" has a solid groove-metal breakdown amidst an otherwise straight-ahead onslaught. Dan's delivery seems to get increasingly decipherable with each album, too. In "A Pirate's Prayer," the ending line of "But the candle burns alone / It guides us safely home" etches its hook indelibly into your brain. The standout of the disc is "Free the Three." Based on the real life Robin Hood Hills Murders, the song pleads for three young men (known as the West Memphis Three) controversially convicted of triple-homicide in Arkansas to be released. [Solid State/ Chad Olson]
This album review was originally printed in ISSUE 97 of HM Magazine. Order the Print Version of HM for tons more reviews of new albums.
©2002 HM Magazine - All Rights Reserved
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Comments
By nic
i just wanna know how to find ferret records. if you know the address either post here or send it to me
thanks
By jordan
anybody think the song man in the womb sounds like pink floyd??
By Don
www.ferretstyle.com
By Justin
Parade of Chaos is always looked down upon in reviews and it just is'nt fair. The diversity of the guitar riffs are enough to make this album a killer. The use of melody is a welcome addition on this Zao album, while Angel Without Wings does sound a little weak there is no denying the strength of tracks like Suspend Suspension and Funeral of Silence. The album does reek of Jesse Smiths technical noodling but something tells me it would'nt sound complete without it. Not Zao's best but in no way is it bad.
By ShoddY
Parade of Chaos is wicked I can't get enough of it. What i wanted to know is ferret record company , main stream?
