''Xenophobe'' is the fifth EP by American

metalcore Metalcore is a broadly defined fusion genre combining elements of extreme metal and hardcore punk, originating in the 1990s United States and becoming popular in the 2000s. Metalcore typically has aggressive verses and melodic choruses, combined ...

band Zao. It is the first release since the band's five-year unofficial hiatus. It is the first EP to feature Scott Mellinger, Martin Lunn and Jeff Gretz.

Lyrical concepts

Andrew Bonazelli of

Decibel Magazine ''Decibel'' is a monthly heavy metal magazine published by the Philadelphia-based Red Flag Media since September 2004. It is currently the only monthly metal music magazine published in North America. Its sections include Upfront, Features, Revi ...

says: "According to frontman Dan Weyandt, "Lyrically, 'Xenophobe' is about specific outlets of mass media using tried and true

propaganda techniques Propaganda techniques are methods used in propaganda to convince an audience to believe what the propagandist wants them to believe. Many propaganda techniques are based on social psychology, socio-psychological research. Many of these same tech ...

to create division, radicalism and fear in the average American citizen's mind. Appealing at first to a viewer's prejudice and worries, it then reshapes the way one thinks and perceives. It's the great divider in the digital age and the corruptor of rational thoughts. It is loyal to no side and both at once."

Critical reception

Gregory Adams of ''

Exclaim! ''Exclaim!'' is a Canadian music and entertainment publisher based in Toronto, which features coverage of new music across all genres with a special focus on Canadian and emerging artists. The monthly ''Exclaim!'' print magazine publishes seven ...

'' writes "Noisecore aggressors Zao are back in the game, with a new two-song 7-inch set to explode our speakers next Friday (July 10). Ahead of time, you can stream the fractured grooves and feral shrieks the longtime outfit have to offer via a stream of the A-side, "Xenophobe." The track is absolutely ruthless, packing a potent,

brickbat Criticism is the construction of a judgement about the negative or positive qualities of someone or something. Criticism can range from impromptu comments to a written detailed response. , ''the act of giving your opinion or judgment about the ...

assault of discordant riffery, cranium-collapsing beats and devilish screams. At its harshest, it harkens back to the '90s glory days of

Deadguy Deadguy is an American metalcore band from New Brunswick, New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey. The band formed in 1994 and disbanded in 1997. Deadguy is considered to have played an important role in the development of the mathcore genre. Their ...

, Pre-''

Jane Doe John Doe (male) and Jane Doe (female) are multiple-use placeholder names that are used in the British, Canadian, and American legal systems, when the true name of a person is unknown or is being intentionally concealed. In the context of law ...

Converge Converge may refer to: * Converge (band), American hardcore punk band * Converge (Baptist denomination), American national evangelical Baptist body * Limit (mathematics) In mathematics, a limit is the value that a function (or sequence) app ...

, Drowningman or early

The Dillinger Escape Plan The Dillinger Escape Plan is an American metalcore band. The band was formed in 1997 in Morris Plains, New Jersey by guitarist Ben Weinman, bassist Adam Doll, vocalist Dimitri Minakakis, and drummer Chris Pennie. The band's use of Consonance and ...

. There are a few, somewhat more tranquil moments that blend double-hand guitar tapping and a sea-faring waltz, but overall "Xenophobe" is a brutal and devastating return for the West Virginia outfit. You'll find a stream of the song down below, care of ''Decibel''. The 7-inch, which features b-side "Fear Itself," hits stores next week. A full-length release, their first since 2009's ''Awake?'', is rumoured to arrive this fall."

Track listing

Credits

;Zao * Dan Weyandt - vocals * Scott Mellinger - guitar * Jeff Gretz - drums * Martin Lunn - bass * Russ Cogdell - guitar ;Production * Dave Hidek - engineer, mixing * Garret Haines - mastering * Tod Hough - artwork

References

External links

Zao ''Xenophobe'' on Indie Vision Music
{{Zao Zao (American band) albums 2015 EPs