Many in metal (and more outside it) often gripe about how there’s too many bands that sound ‘the same.’ Some of those folks need to be introduced to Zeal & Ardor, in which Manuel Gagneux and company have been crafting a very unique fusion of different sounds, including that of blues, gospel, folk, and soul music, and giving it a bit of a darker and heavier twist (such as black, or at least post-black trimmings). Their self-titled album is an impressive release that sounds only like Zeal & Ardor, and should be a treat for those seeking some out of the box stuff.
Zeal & Ardor are able to make something that can feel incredibly heavy at times, but due to the varied influences, it never feels daunting or overwhelming. “Death to the Holy” opens with some upbeat, gospel-inspired beats but quickly whirls itself into something darker as the guitars take a blackened turn, and this juxtaposition between the two opposing forces really makes the song come to life. The heavier “Erase” has an almost monolithic feel to the riffing at times, giving an epic vibe for the band to capitalize on, and a sprinkling of some folk-ish influences into the abrasion makes for a groovy treat. On the other side of the spectrum is the bluesy “Hold Your Head Low,” which later swirls with post-black riffs to move the track into a different kind of melancholic feeling, regardless of heaviness. Likewise, the mostly restrained “Golden Liar” has a spirited feeling to it, never really succombing to the heaviness of many of the other tracks, but still providing a rush in its slow burn mentality.
Providing enough heavy moments to satiate metal fans, but at the same time, keep the doors open to a much larger general audience, Zeal & Ardor have a unique sound that continues to make advances. This self-titled album, as the third release, should afford plenty of opportunities for the band – and for good reason. There’s just not much out there that even resembles this, and it’s a real joy to behold.