Xenophobe (EP)

Xenophobe/Fear Itself is the fourth EP by the American metalcore band, Zao. It is the first release since the band's five-year unofficial hiatus.[5][2] It is the first EP to feature Scott Mellinger, Martin Lunn and Jeff Gretz.

Xenophobe/Fear Itself
EP by
Zao
ReleasedJuly 10, 2015
Recorded2014-2015 at Treelady Studios[1]
GenreMetalcore[2]
Length6:43
LabelIndependent
ProducerZao
Zao chronology
Awake?
(2009)		 Xenophobe/Fear Itself
(2015)		 The Well-Intentioned Virus
(2016)
Alternative Cover
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Sputnik Music[3]
Rate Your Music[4]

Lyrical concepts

Andrew Bonazelli of Decibel Magazine says: "According to frontman Dan Weyandt, "Lyrically, 'Xenophobe' is about specific outlets of mass media using tried and true propaganda techniques to create division, radicalism and fear in the average American citizen's mind. Appealing at first to a viewer's prejudice and worries, it then reshapes the way one thinks and perceives. It's the great divider in the digital age and the corruptor of rational thoughts. It is loyal to no side and both at once." [6]

Critical reception

Gregory Adams of Exclaim! writes "Noisecore aggressors Zao are back in the game, with a new two-song 7-inch set to explode our speakers next Friday (July 10). Ahead of time, you can stream the fractured grooves and feral shrieks the longtime outfit have to offer via a stream of the A-side, "Xenophobe."

The track is absolutely ruthless, packing a potent, brickbat assault of discordant riffery, cranium-collapsing beats and devilish screams. At its harshest, it harkens back to the '90s glory days of Deadguy, Pre-Jane Doe Converge, Drowningman or early The Dillinger Escape Plan.

There are a few, somewhat more tranquil moments that blend double-hand guitar tapping and a sea-faring waltz, but overall "Xenophobe" is a brutal and devastating return for the West Virginia outfit.

You'll find a stream of the song down below, care of Decibel. The 7-inch, which features b-side "Fear Itself," hits stores next week. A full-length release, their first since 2009's Awake?, is rumoured to arrive this fall."[7]

Track listing

[1]

No.TitleLength
1."Xenophobe"3:10
2."Fear Itself"3:33

Credits
Zao[1]
  • Dan Weyandt - vocals
  • Scott Mellinger - guitar
  • Jeff Gretz - drums
  • Martin Lunn - bass
  • Russ Cogdell - guitar
Production
  • Dave Hidek - engineer, mixing
  • Garret Haines - mastering
  • Tod Hough - artwork

References
  1. "Xenophobe on Bandcamp". Bandcamp. Retrieved 2015-07-10.
  2. Emperor Rhombus (July 10, 2015). "Zao Has Nothing to Fear But "Fear Itself", You Have Nothing to Fear But Zao". MetalSucks. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  3. "Xenophobe album review". Sputnik. Retrieved 2015-07-10.
  4. "Xenophobe review". Rate Your Music. Retrieved 2015-07-10.
  5. "Zao release new 7", first new music since 2009". Alternative Press. Retrieved 2015-07-10.
  6. "Xenophobe". Decibel Magazine. Retrieved 2015-07-10.
  7. Adams, Gregory (July 2, 2015). "Zao - Xenophobe". Exclaim!. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
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