Any day that Zao drops new music is a good day. Therefore, today is a good day. The legendary metalcore act has partnered with Mind Over Matter records to release a split 7" EP with Yashira, who released their crushing debut earlier this year, and whom Zao are about to head out on tour with.
We have the exclusive premiere of the Zao track on the split, "Hide From the Light." Take a listen below.
"Hide From The Light" is a little more straightforward than we're accustomed to hearing from Zao, trudging along with a mid-tempo swagger that's perfect for headbanging along to and leaving aside technicality for a little more accessibility. Still, it's Zao, so it rules. Dan Weyandt has one of the most distinguished screams in all of metal, and Scott Mellinger's cleans bring back the same nostalgic feeling of listening to those classic Zao records. Of the song's lyrics, Weyandt tackled the issue of tech addiction head-on
“Hide From The Light” is a reference to the light beaming out of our handheld electrical devices and that light’s ability to manipulate our thoughts and actions personally, as well as society as a whole, via digital social platforms.”
The partnership with Mind Over Matter records and Yashira was a no-brainer for the band. Drummer Jeff Gretz shares:
"Austin that runs Mind Over Matter is a massive Zao fan, he probably has more variants of our releases than WE do. It was our pleasure to give him a track and take part in this. As far as Yashira, we had played shows in Florida with last year and became friends with them so we asked them along for the ride. The fact that they are working with Carl Severson at Good Fight who used to run Ferret and gave us a chance to reconnect with him was just icing on the cake.”
Zao's contribution to the EP is the first music released from recording sessions for the band's next full-length album, slated for a mid-2019 release.The split 7" will be released digitally Sept. 21, with vinyl pre-orders going live the day before via Mind Over Matter. Zao heads out on a short east coast run with Yashira and The Atlas Moth next week, dates for which can be found below.
9/20 – Voltage Lounge, Philadelphia PA
9/21 – The Webster, Hartford CT
9/22 – Saint Vitus, Brooklyn NY
9/23 – Ottobar, Baltimore MD
9/26 – The Foundry, Lakewood OH
9/27 – The Emerson Theater, Indianapolis IN
9/28 – The Wire, Berwyn IL
9/29 – The Rex Theater, Pittsburgh PA
