| The Crimson Corridor | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | April 9, 2021 | |||
| Recorded | November 2017 – early 2021 | |||
| Venue | The Church | |||
| Studio | Treelady Studios | |||
| Genre | Metalcore | |||
| Length | 57:02 | |||
| Label | Observed/Observer Recordings | |||
| Producer | Dave Hidek | |||
| Zao studio album chronology | ||||
| ||||
The Crimson Corridor is the eleventh studio album by American metalcore band Zao. The album was released on April 9, 2021, through Observed/Observer Recordings, the band's own record label.
The album began the recording process on November 3, 2017, when Jeff Gretz officially began tracking drums, the same day as the release of their EP, Pyrrhic Victory . [1] Weydant wrote the lyrics for the album, a common theme among a majority of the band's albums. [2]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Angry Metal Guy |    [3] [3] |
| PunkNews.org | [4] |
| Lambgoat |   [5] |
| Sputnik Music | [6] |
| Kill Your Stereo | 90/100 [7] |
| Metal Trenches |  [8] |
| Metal Digest | 60% [9] |
On the Angry Metal Guy, the reviewer under the alias of Grymm, stated the following; "Much like fellow luminaries Converge, Zao is that rare example of a classic metalcore act not afraid to grow out of their sound and forge their own path, and if The Crimson Corridor is any indication, the path ahead will be intriguing." [3] However, his co-worker, the 'Cherd of Doom', wrote a companion review stating, "Length issues aside, this is an impressive album. It would be shocking for a formerly Christian metalcore band to release such a powerful album almost 30 years into their trajectory if it was any band other than Zao. For them, it’s par for the course. There’s a kinship connection that’s hard to explain between those who have escaped religious fundamentalism." [3] Lambgoat, in a surprising review, wrote "The Crimson Corridor ranks up with all of Zao's best material. Those nostalgic for Where Blood and Fire Bring Rest or Liberate Te Ex Inferis might argue, but the growth they have shown in recent years finds the band releasing some of the strongest material of their lengthy career.", giving the album a nine out of ten. [5]
The user Dewinged of Sputnik Music wrote the following conclusion after giving the album a 4.2 out of 5; "Fueled by the fantastic mixing work achieved by Dave Hidek, Zao breathes (heavily) again with newfound strength and resolve, writing and performing some of their best material in years, and yet again, setting the bar for newcomers to heights that not many will reach." [6] No Clean Singing's writer Andy Synn wrote a piece on the album as well, though not giving a rating; "In fact, the real paradox here is that, by creating what might just be the least traditionally Zao-sounding album of their career the band may very well have crafted the best record they’ve ever done." [10] Wonderbox Metal wrote a review for the album, stating "The Crimson Corridor has exceeded already high expectations, and rather than simply deliver another stellar collection of songs, the band have delivered a true classic." [11]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Into the Jaws of Dread" | 4:19 |
| 2. | "Ship of Theseus" | 4:00 |
| 3. | "Croatoan" | 4:18 |
| 4. | "The Final Ghost" | 4:24 |
| 5. | "R.I.P.W." | 4:56 |
| 6. | "The Crimson Corridor" | 5:11 |
| 7. | "Transitions" | 3:07 |
| 8. | "Nothing's Form" | 7:03 |
| 9. | "Creator/Destroyer" | 5:20 |
| 10. | "Lost Star" | 3:56 |
| 11. | "The Web" | 10:23 |
ZAO [12]
Additional musicians
Production
Artwork
Zao is an American metalcore band founded in Parkersburg, West Virginia, and later relocated to Greensburg, Pennsylvania. 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, vocalist 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 band's history.
Extreme metal is a loosely defined umbrella term for a number of related heavy metal music subgenres that have developed since the early 1980s. It has been defined as a "cluster of metal subgenres characterized by sonic, verbal, and visual transgression".
Liberate Te Ex Inferis is the fourth studio album by American metalcore band Zao. It is considered by many 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.
From Autumn to Ashes is a metalcore band based in Long Island, New York. The group formed in 2000 under the name Who's to Blame. While the band had gone through many lineup changes, the members include Francis Mark, Scott Gross (guitars), Benjamin Perri, Brian Deneeve, Stephen Salvio (guitars), Josh Newton, Mike Pilato, Rob Lauritsen (guitars), Jonathan Cox (guitars) and Jeff Gretz.
Self-Titled is the fifth studio album by American 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 studio album by American 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.
All Else Failed is a re-recorded album by American metalcore band Zao, released on February 19, 2003, by Solid State/Tooth & Nail/EMI. It features newly recorded versions of eight of ten tracks from their original debut album, All Else Failed (1995). The recording was done during the same session as Parade of Chaos.
The Funeral of God is the seventh studio album by American metalcore band Zao. It was released in July 13, 2004 through Ferret Records in the US, and in 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 ".
The Fear Is What Keeps Us Here is the eighth studio album by American 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".
Bloodlust is the debut studio album by American deathcore band Through the Eyes of the Dead, released on October 25, 2005 through Prosthetic Records. After releasing an EP and a split, Through the Eyes of the Dead released Bloodlust. The album is considered a deathcore album with elements of melodic death metal, featuring a musical style similar to bands like At the Gates and The Black Dahlia Murder. Before the deathcore label existed, Bloodlust was labeled as metalcore due to its combination of melodic death metal with occasional hardcore breakdowns, which resembled metalcore. Bloodlust's lyrics were inspired by serial killers, and depicted poetic lyrics telling stories and imagery. Through the Eyes of the Dead cited Cannibal Corpse, Carcass, Death, In Flames, At the Gates and Dark Tranquility as influences.
MyChildren MyBride is an American metalcore band from Madison, Alabama. The group originally signed with Solid State Records after extensive constant touring, including various dates in European countries. After spending seven years and releasing three full-length albums with Solid State, MyChildren MyBride signed with eOne/Good Fight Music.
Awake? is the ninth studio album by American 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. The single "Entropica" debuted in April 2009 prior to the album's release.
Society's Finest is an American metalcore band from Dallas, Texas. Their first full-length album, The Journey...So Far, was released on Solid State Records in May 2000. Due to member changes and personal matters the band took a break from touring and recording to focus on their personal lives. During this hiatus, vocalist Josh Ashworth toured with the metalcore band Zao.
Daniel Weyandt is the 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 tattoo artist and owns a shop in his hometown, Greensburg, Pennsylvania.
Xenophobe is the fifth EP by American metalcore band Zao. It is the first release since the band's five-year unofficial hiatus. It is the first EP to feature Scott Mellinger, Martin Lunn and Jeff Gretz.
Eyes Upon Separation was a hardcore punk band from Ohio that formed in 1998. In 2001, guitarist Matt Auxier briefly played in the metalcore band Zao. Bassist JT Woodruff formed the alternative rock band Hawthorne Heights, Second Drummer, Jeff Lohrber joined hardcore band, Suffocate Faster as well as Today Is the Day, and is currently in Harlot. Other members formed the black metal/metalcore band Surcease.
The Well-Intentioned Virus is the tenth studio album by American 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 the sixth EP by American 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.
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