This album starts off with “Intro” and right off the bat they’re doing one hell of a job of keeping me on the edge of my seat. They’ve dabbled in Southern Blues and working songs for years, but it’s actually coming off more authentic than ever. I love the way the metal riff works it’s way in slowly and ends up quickly ushering in this very grand and epic Black Metal passage. This isn’t even just Black Metal, this is expertly crafted Black Metal with the grandiosity of a band whose been doing this for years. Obviously, there isn’t loads to write home about, but this ushers in the album nicely. Then we have “Gravedigger’s Chant”, and over the years their inclusion of spirituals have gotten bigger and bolder. But there’s a massively bluesy vibe to this on that you just didn’t hear in the past. You have to realize, this is a much cleaner recording, meaning we’re getting a whole lot cleaner of a vocal verse. And to be honest, it comes off totally authentic and legitimately bruised. Now, my only real issue with this track is that it doesn’t go heavier. This is just a very bluesy Metal jam, but there’s no Back Metal in sight. Which isn’t bad, trust me it still hits hard. Not to mention, I’m really digging this very intense production. On the other hand, “Servants” is legitimately out there and very urgent sounding> I love the continued passionate performances all around. Now, this may still not be as heavy as I’d like to hear it, cause I’m about ready for this album to take off. But my GOD this track just hits so freakin’ hard. It’s intense, and still pretty bluesy, and there’s also a very grand feeling to this and more importantly a campiness that I’m loving. It’s almost what I originally loved about Ghost years ago. This is one hell of a great, chugging, slow, bluesy Metal tune. Now on the other hand, “Don’t You Dare” is where I love hearing this band the most. In moments like this, the sort of stripped down vibe of this one gives this more of an authentic vibe. Hell, half the time listening to this I feel like I’m listening to this album I feel like I’m listening to some cursed Rock record someone bought at a thrift store in Louisiana. It’s easily the heaviest track here yet, bringing in elements of Black Metal and even some thrash. But it’s the atmosphere here, that authenticity and feeling that Zeal & Ardor are the real deal that makes this a track to write home about. The Metal portions are blistering, and the blues elements come off twisted. Overall, I can’t think of many tunes here that better illustrate the band’s sound.
This album pummels on with "Fire Of Motion", and as this goes on it just gets more and more Avant-Garde. But honestly, I love that, it makes me feel like I'm in the presence of a band who will subject me to literally anything. Now, this is by far the most straightforward Metal tune here. Which honestly, is a little disappointing. To be honest, without some of the other elements we've heard here, diving into Spirituals and Blues, this is just faceless. The production is still really solid and lyrically it's right on point. But I feel like I can hear a lot of this anywhere. I do have to say though, Zeal & Ardor are really getting great at making an atmosphere and making it quick. "The Hermit" has some really effective use of sound effects and ambiance. And while this track is mostly a complete instrumental outside of some soothing vocals, it rolls wonderfully with the sounds of the album. It feels like the eye of the storm, a moment of peace and tranquility. But between everything we hear and everything we've heard, it's obvious this album is far from over. On the other hand, "Row Row" is much more upbeat and would sound like a pretty standard Blues track if it wasn't for this very explosive and wild Metal riff underneath it all. And I do love just how hulking and massive this one is, and when this takes off it takes off in a big way. But why do I feel like I miss some of the stripped down qualities of their early work? When I used to tune into Zeal & Ardor, I felt like it was borderline taboo, like I was listening to something I probably shouldn't. That griminess gave it that authenticity that I really craved. And while this has elements of all of that, I would probably be a lot more into this track if it was a little grimier and less shimmering. Still, though, Zeal & Ardor are doing a lot of very interesting things. On the other hand, "Ship On Fire" is a little more gritty and much less shiny. And the result is one of the more aggressive and in your face tracks here. Manuel Gagneux on vocals here sounds like he's going to rip your damn throat out in his performance. The ghoulish backing vocals, the tortured lyrics, the doom-inspired instrumentals, this is all around where I want to hear Zeal & Ardor. It's just so over-the-top, and I love how completely out there the chanted vocals are. It's moments like this that I feel like the band is at their peak, really going all in on their sound.
"Waste" on the other hand starts off with this very abrasive, noisy riff. That, alongside one of this album's bluesier vocal performances, makes for a sonically wild tune. When it picks up, this is by far the heaviest track we've heard yet. The vocals are tortured and the riff is one of the heavier you're going to hear this year. Plus, it's once again on the less polished side. Plus, there are some backing female vocals here which add to an interesting dynamic. Love this or hate this, you have to give Zeal & Ardor credit because this is radically different than the current Metal scene. Then we have "You Ain't Coming Back" which has some really cool, almost Gospel influences. And the fact that this one really takes it's time getting rolling gives it a very fleshed out feeling. And while personally, I feel like this would have been even bigger and better if it was heavier and contained some more Black Metal influences. But at the end of the day, this is just a really bluesy, intense Metal performance, and one that's deeply tortured. It's also one of the more human-sounding tracks here. And there's also a sort of throwback feel to this, something about this actually reminds me of something that Kings X would have done a while back. But while this one is still on it's rails completely, it's awesome. But boy oh boy, what's going on with "The Fool"? This one brings in a very heavy dose of icy synths that are sort of melodic. And the rest of this track just goes down a Synth Pop route almost completely. And yes, the sheer amount of layers we have on display is something to gander at, but there's really nothing about this one that needed to be here. But Zeal & Ardor" bounce back with "We Can't Be Found", the bluesiest track yet. Like, there are some pretty big grooves and a very muscular riff here. And while it's still just maybe a little too pristine for my taste, I can't deny just how aggressive and intense this track is. I really want to dive headfirst into this album and the band's sound. But I just feel like some of the production could be so much more interesting. Not to mention, why are there honest to God chugging Nu-Metal guitars here?
But Zeal & Ardor continue to real me back in with tracks like this album's title track. This track has an unbelievable sense of dread to it. This one is so much more in the band's style compare tot he last few tracks. It's still a little more on the slower side. But this track is so tormented, so wretched, and unbelievably intense. I love every minute of it, and when those floodgates open up and those Black Metal instrumentals pour in, it's a great moment. "Stranger Fruit" is a great exercise in patience, but it's worth it. Sadly though, I continue to be completely baffled by some of these interlude tracks. I don't want to sit around and dwell on tracks like "Solve", but I would be lying if I said these weren't awkward and completely ruined the pacing here. Not to mention, it's just goofy. And then I have the exact opposite problem with "Coagula". This one has some cool ideas, some great chanting, some intense licks too. But it feels dangerously unfinished and sounds like it was just thrown in at the very last minute for one last attempt to seem left of the dial. At the very least, "Built On Ashes" does seem like the band is ending off with some material more in the Black Metal direction. And once again, we get a very bruised, bluesy performance. But I feel like I have the same problems with this that I do with the rest of the tracks here. Zeal & Ardor seem a little tamer overall, and personally, that gets on my nerves. There are great elements and all, like those soaring Black Metal guitars. As a matter of fact, just about everything "Metal" about this tune is right where it ought to be. But the bluesier elements to me, just seem a little tame. Still, Zeal & Ardor are doing some really interesting things with Metal.
Rating: 7.8/10
Give A Listen To: "Don't You Dare", "Stranger Fruit", "Ship On Fire", "You Ain't Coming Back"
Least Favorite Track: "Fire of Motion"
Genre: Experimental Metal / Blues Metal / Black Metal
Overall Thoughts: Part of me wants to dive into this unforgiving world of Zeal & Ardor headfirst and not look back. But most of me thinks they still have a little ways to go. This album has some unbelievably fresh sounds and ideas that I can't tell you how much they excite me. Blends of Gospel, Blues, Folk and more alongside crushing Black Metal, I mean come on, that's wild. But for one, the production here is much MUCH cleaner than anything they've touched in the past. Which yes, was bound to happen. But I can't help but feel like it maybe takes away some of the authenticity of this album. And what's up with these interludes? This album is SO close to being groundbreaking. But it still has more than enough genuinely wild ideas to warrant a few listens.
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