This is a re-recording of Zao's debut CD (which I believe was originally released in 1995 on Steadfast Records) using their current lineup. For some bizarre reason two tracks from the original release, "In These Times of Silence" and "Simple Reminder", have been cut from this updated version, which makes no sense to me whatsoever, but whatever. I've never been a big Zao fan and I've never heard the original version of this record, but I would assume that they aren't taking excessive liberties with the songwriting because this stuff is a lot better than the more recent efforts I've heard from the band. I'm guessing that the performance is probably tighter, I'm almost certain that the recording is better, and I'd wager that they're probably throwing a little bit of their modern spin on the tracks as well. But these songs are definitely a bit darker and in more of a straightforward metalcore vein than the band's newer material. The vocals are throaty screams/growls, there are some Slayer-esque dual guitar runs, a hefty death metal gone hardcore approach is applied to some of the riffing (lots of tremolo picking and such), etc. The only thing that gets tiresome is that a lot of the songs feel sort of slow. I don't know if that's a product of the re-recordings or what, but kicking the tempos up would definitely add more energy and keep things from dragging. "Growing in Grace" is affected the worst, because at nearly six minutes it contains so many changes that it feels like two or three songs combined into one. The acoustic passage is incredible, as are many of the other riffs, but everything is so slow moving and disjointed that the song is still somewhat boring. And the title track runs more than 13 minutes, ending with a lengthy sample of a storm with some wolves howling in the distance (lengthy as in about five minutes). The production is pretty good. The drums sound great, the bass is there, and the guitars are heavy while retaining clarity. Sometimes the vocals and drums can stick out a tad, but it really doesn't bother me at all. I definitely like the way the guitars leave room for the bass to breathe, and the clean guitars sound pretty slick as well. The layout looks pretty cool. All of the imagery is done in high contrast with a few different muted colors and sort of has a stenciled/graffiti type of look to it, especially the text in the background. They only included lyrics for the title track, and I have to confess that the delivery is sickeningly blunt in its christian fervor - not the kind of thing that I particularly want to be slammed in the face with. "Leaning on the strength of another man. No human effort can bring wholeness or even the strength to stand. There is no explanation for this reasoning. The only thing in life that is constant is Jesus." Come on, take it down a notch... ever heard of a metaphor? I don't know. I'm not a big fan of the whole "re-recording an entire album" concept, and I especially don't like the fact that this is not a complete effort because two of the songs are missing. For me, the only purpose this serves is that it makes me want to give some of the earlier Zao records a listen to see if I might like them a bit more than the band's more modern material.
[Solid State]
Running time - 41:52, Tracks: 8
[Notable tracks: Resistance, Ps 77]
Solid State Records - http://www.solidstaterecords.com
