Zeal & Ardor – the band headed up by mastermind Manuel Gagneux – is back with a new single "To My Ilk" and a new record Grief, due out August 23. The title Grief is inspired by an annual tradition in Gagneux's hometown of Basel, Switzerland, where a mythical hybrid creature parades through the streets for the children in symbolism of Basel's working people expressing their displeasure at the oppressive elite on its other side.
"The GREIF is a lion, a snake, and a bird," said Gagneux. "During the parade, he turns his backside to the aristocrats and sticks it to the man. It reflects where we are."
Grief is also the first Zeal & Ardor record that features the full band – guitarist Tiziano Volante, vocalists Marc Obrist and Denis Wagner, bassist Lukas Kurmann, and drummer Marco Von Allmen – in the studio, as opposed to Gagneux recording everything himself.
"We've really evolved into a tight-knit unit," added Obrist. "Before Zeal & Ardor, we were basically strangers, but we're like a little family now. Each member brings his own unique flavor to the mix, and we all try to make Manuel's songs better in our own way. The most interesting part for me was the new approach of how we work together in the studio."
Pre-orders begin on Friday, April 26 right here.
