Zao: Legendary

Written by The Theory
Published December 24, 2003
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Other than that, you can't complain at any of the picks from "Liberate", "Skin Like Winter", "Savannah", and "The Ghost Psalm". "Free The Three", the great song from "Parade of Chaos" made the cut. The great song from "Split Ep", "Walk on By, Walk on Me" is represented.

Of course, to entice the fans who already own most of Zao's albums, there are two previously unreleased tracks. Back when Corey Darst was Zao's vocalist, they recorded a few new songs with Aaron Sprinkle. Those three songs are featured here, "The Icarus Complex", "One Last Time", and "All Dressed Up (With No Place To Go)". "The Icarus Complex" was released before on the third "This Is Solid State" sampler. The other two songs are brand new, and they are good songs. I'd take them above most of the stuff on either self titled or "Parade of Chaos". Darst wasn't the greatest vocalist for Zao, however, these songs work fairly well with him.

The packaging for this album is pretty smooth. The case is a solid white (as opposed to the usual clear) with a sticker on the front and back with the band name, album title, and track listing (as well as the usual legal mumbo-jumbo). Then inside the case is an insert as usual, that features a cool graphic of a baby surrounded by lit candles. That is the best artwork I have seen come out of the one trick pony Asterik Studios. The liner notes are writen by Ryan Clark, who is best known for his involvement with Training For Utopia, but has also worked with Focus Point and Demon Hunter. Then, if you pop open the rear trey, you find that there is a rear insert, as if the case was clear, instead of white. It's got all the information as the sticker, only features artwork that matches the candle theme from the cover. So if you don't like the white look, get your own clear case and use that, instead.

All in all, if you are like me and only own "Blood and Fire" and "Liberate", but want some of the good songs from their other albums, without the mess of actually owning the other albums, this is a good investment. Or, if you don't own any of the albums, this is a good overview of what Zao has done in their career to this point. Of course, the hardcore Zao fans will need to get their hands on the two previously unreleased tracks.

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Zao: Legendary
Published: December 24, 2003
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Section: Music
Filed Under: Music: Christian and Gospel, Music: Hard Rock, Music: Metal, Music: Rock
Writer: The Theory
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Comments

#1 — December 24, 2003 @ 11:58AM — BRICKLAYER

Most excellent review, Mr. Theory.

#2 — December 24, 2003 @ 14:37PM — The Theory

thankye kindly, brick.

#3 — December 29, 2003 @ 16:17PM — Eric Olsen

very nice TT, Merry Christmas!

#4 — January 16, 2004 @ 17:34PM — JayRod

Allrighty, u did a pretty good job with the review, my only complaints are those of ur badmouthing the selftitled album. I have all the zao cds and i know the selftitled isnt the best, but its not by any means conceivable a bad album. Its no Splinter Shards but its not shabby at all. And Parade of Chaos doesnt deserve all the praise it got, with a few good songs (free the three, suspend/suspension,pirates prayer),but it doesnt measure up to the selftitled at all. I really wish they traded "Times of Seperation" for "In Loving Kindness", and "The Race of Standing still" is a fantastic song. "To think of you" along with "Tool to scream" should really be on here too. Overall, not tooo horrible of a job reviewing.

#5 — January 21, 2004 @ 22:27PM — Tom Naughdy

ZAO!!!!

#6 — December 8, 2005 @ 23:22PM — Dan

This Legendary CD is the best thing ZAO's ever done. Ravage Ritual is the sickest song i've ever heard. Can't wait to get their Lesser Lights of Heaven DVD, go out and buy it now, it's gonna eat your face off.

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