Zao is an American metalcore band from Parkersburg, West Virginia. Founded in March 1993, Zao has hosted several musicians and endured numerous roster changes to the point where no original members remain. Former drummer Jesse Smith, singer Dan Weyandt, and guitarists Scott Mellinger and Russ Cogdell are seen by some fans as the "core" of Zao, with the current line up being the longest running in the bands history.
Liberate Te Ex Inferis is the fourth full-length album by metalcore band Zao. It is considered to be their most experimental and darkest album. It was released on Solid State/Tooth & Nail. With the album came the addition of bassist Rob Horner. Liberate is the first Zao album to feature Scott Mellinger, who replaced Brett Detar after his decision to pursue The Juliana Theory full-time.
The Splinter Shards the Birth of Separation is the second full-length release by metalcore band Zao, released on Tooth & Nail Records on April 1, 1997.
Where Blood and Fire Bring Rest is the third full-length album released by metalcore band Zao on Solid State/Tooth & Nail. It was the first album to feature vocalist Dan Weyandt after the departure of Shawn Jonas along with new bassists/guitarists, Russ Cogdell and Brett Detar. The album contains a sample from the film The Shining at the beginning of "To Think of You", as well as a sample from the horror film The Prophecy during the intro to "Ravage Ritual".
(Self-Titled) is the fifth full-length album by metalcore band Zao, released on February 21, 2001 by Solid State/Tooth & Nail/EMI. This album saw the departure of guitarist Russ Cogdell. The entire album was written in the recording studio by Scott and Jesse. Dan would be sent the tracks to write lyrics and then recorded them. The band famously broke up on stage touring this album.
Parade of Chaos is the sixth full-length album released by metalcore band Zao. Released on July 10, 2002 by Solid State/Tooth & Nail/EMI. This album was recorded similarly to (Self-Titled) with Scott and Jesse writing in the studio and Dan being absent until time to record vocals. This album was also recorded at the same time as the recording of the All Else Failed reissue. This album featured the departure of bassist Rob Horner.
Legendary is a "best of" album by metalcore band Zao. It was released on December 17, 2003 on Solid State/Tooth & Nail/EMI. It is the eighth album by the group. The last three songs are previously unreleased studio demos with Corey Darst on vocals. "The Icarus Complex" appeared on This is Solid State Vol.3.
The Funeral of God is the seventh full-length album by metalcore band Zao. Released on July 13, 2004 through Ferret Records in the US, and on July 12, 2004 through Roadrunner and Ferret in Europe and Asia. It saw the return of guitarist, Russ Cogdell, and the addition of bassist Shawn Koschik and drummer Stephen Peck after the departure of Jesse Smith. A music video was made for the song "The Rising End ".
Playing with Fire is the only studio album by American personality and rapper Kevin Federline, released on October 31, 2006 through Federation Records. The album's executive producer was Federline's then-wife Britney Spears, who also featured on a track on the album, and with whom Federline composed two tracks that did not make into the track listing. Contributions to the album's production came from a variety of producers and songwriters, including DJ Bosko Stix Baby, J.R. Rotem, and Versatile. Reception to Playing with Fire by music critics was overwhelmingly negative, and it is the lowest rated album on music review aggregator Metacritic.
The Fear Is What Keeps Us Here is the eighth full-length album by metalcore band Zao. It was released on June 13, 2006 on Ferret Records in the US and on June 12, 2006 in Europe. The album showcases the addition of drummer Jeff Gretz and bassist Martin Lunn. In interviews Gretz jokingly claimed it would be titled "The George Lucas Neckfat".
Awake? is the tenth studio album by metalcore band Zao. It was released on May 5, 2009, on Ferret Records. It contains nine new tracks and a re-recording of the track "Romance of the Southern Spirit", which originally appeared on the Japanese version of The Funeral of God. Only 8,000 physical copies of the album were made. Each copy is numbered and has six interchangeable covers. The album sold approximately 2,000 copies in its first week.
Daniel Weyandt is the third and current vocalist of the American metalcore band, Zao. He was also the bassist for Seasons in the Field and current bassist for Lonely//Ghost//Parade. Weyandt is also a tattooer and owns a shop in his hometown, Greensburg, Pennsylvania.
Barry Poynter is an American Producer. He has produced albums for many bands and musicians, such as Soul Embraced, Society's Finest, Living Sacrifice, and The Juliana Theory. He is also a former member of 2 Minute Hate.
Jesse Smith is an American musician, best known for his work as the original drummer of Christian Metal band, Zao. After leaving Zao, and started three other bands, Gods, My Own Halo, and Jesse Smith & the Holy Ghost.
The Well-Intentioned Virus is the eleventh full-length album by metalcore band Zao, released on December 9, 2016. The album features the first studio performance of Russ Cogdell for the first time since 2004's The Funeral of God. The album was released digitally, as well as on CD, vinyl and cassette. On December 1, 2016, the band streamed the whole album.
Pyrrhic Victory is an EP by metalcore band Zao, released on November 3, 2017. It is the third release by the band on their own Observed/Observer Recordings label since their reactivation in 2015 after several years of hiatus. The songs were recorded during the same sessions that resulted in 2015's Xenophobe and 2016's The Well-Intentioned Virus. The EP in its entirety was streamed on the Metal Injection website on October 31, 2017.
The following is the complete discography of Zao, a West Virginia metalcore band. The band's discography consists of eleven studio albums, two compilation albums, one video album, four music videos, and seven extended plays.
