Zeal & Ardor are a band that I have been aware of and I understand their ever-growing popularity however, I have never really given them a good listen. Therefore, when Greif was on the list of albums to review it seemed like as good a time to give them a real go.
So knowing very little about the band, I thought for this one I wouldn’t read up on the band before I pressed play. So initially I was taken by a Heavy Rock, with Blues influences but something was lingering beneath the surface just waiting to be unleashed.
I first hear that something on ‘Fend You Off’ with heavy guitars interspersed with a harrowing vocal before a huge chorus comes out to play. The contrast between the stripped back sections and then the heavy riffs are delightful and perfectly balanced.
As ‘Kilonova’ lands the album continues to grow, with cheeky little riffs, choppy vocals and some good weight to when the moods feels really – I am starting to get this band and I really like the randomness and array of sounds, effects and feelings that they can put together. This track wouldn’t be out of place on a Porcupine Tree album.
Without going track to track and sharing my feelings on them all, it is fair to say that Greif has not only impressed me massively, it has opened my ears to Zeal & Ardor. There is a bit of everything in here for everyone – even venturing into Black Metal sounds at times. The fact that a band can blend stripped-back, blues-like tracks with truly heavy aspects is fantastic.
I understand that people like to pigeonhole bands and sounds, but this is quite a tough one to do so and I would hate to label the album and put people off of listening to it. Therefore, I will say it is Hard Rock with a lovely sprinkling of a shit ton of lots of other things!
A personal favourite on the album is ‘disease’ – trust me press play and if you think that the delivery is not short of stunning then you are lying to yourself and everyone else.
I cannot compare this to previous releases for reasons already shared – however, this has certainly gained a new fan for the band and I am sure that the album will do the same for many other people.
Greif will be released on Friday 23rd August 2024.
Pre-order it here.
Review: Ed Ford
GREIF TRACK LISTING:
“the Bird, the Lion, and the Wildkin”
“Fend You Off”
“Kilonova”
“are you the only one now?”
“Go home my friend”
“Clawing out”
“Disease”
“369”
“Thrill”
“une ville vide”
“Sugarcoat”
“Solace”
“Hide in Shade”
“to my ilk“
Online
Zeal & Ardor (zealandardor.com)