Only a month ago I came across Zeal & Ardor after my Apple Music randomly selected it to play next. There’s not many bands I take an instant taking too but ‘Come On Down’ off their first album had me hooked. One tap onto their profile and I was excited to see a new album had just been released.
Fronted by Manuel Gagneux, who is an experienced multi-instrumentalist and who has for some time pushed the boundaries of mash-ups took the project and expanded it to a full band in 2017.
After listening to the previous albums and becoming familiar with their style it was intriguing to see if this album would feel too repetitive and niche or be a truly remarkable collection of tracks.
First track ‘Zeal & Ardor’ immediately felt like the apocalypse was looming and ready to strike at any moment. This album toys with your imagination, the passion in Manuel’s vocals physically shakes you, the screams could summon the devil himself. It’s a brutal album, not just lyrically, but all round. Its hefty guitar riffs, the way songs swing from from the dark depths of industrial metal to beautifully crafted piano and soulful harmonies, it’s a compelling 14 track (44 min) album.
Zeal & Ardor are a unique example of how a band can push boundaries and mix more than one genre so fluidly and authoritatively. The album is engraved with history and prominently features the devil. It tackles past and current affairs whilst mixing black metal, gospel, country and blues. Some may find it all too much of a mash-up but it’s been so refreshing to hear an artist not afraid to be creative and up-front about it.
Compared to previous albums this feels more driven, the productions feels cleaner, you can hear the progress and experience Manuel has made with the band.
The ending tracks J-M-B and A-H-I-L do feel a little out of place and although showcase the bands ability to show off their various styles, it could have benefited from a more striking ending to what is a doom-fueled thriller of a ride.
With recent exposure on the cover of Metal Hammer and Kerrang magazine this album will be the first many new fans check out and sets a new high benchmark for the band to follow on from.
Frantic. Thrilling. Spirited. This self-titled third album has everything.
8/10
