“We have arrived at where I imagined this project should sound like,” says Manuel Gagneux
(Image credit: Katja Ogrin / Getty)
Zeal & Ardor have announced their third album will be self-titled and is due for release on February 11, 2022.
The band is the brain child of Swiss multi-instrumentalist Manuel Gagneux, who has earned a reputation for crafting a powerful blend of black metal and African-American spirituals, across the project's previous two records – 2016’s Devil Is Fine and 2018’s acclaimed Stranger Fruit.
His writing and multi-instrumental talents are once again at heart of the new, self-titled album.
"With the self-titled record, we have arrived at where I imagined this project should sound like," says Gagneux. “It’s the longest we’ve worked on a single record and I believe it shows. The most important thing for an album of ours to do, is transport you instantly into our mood, our world.
“Even though this might not be the one you might expect from us, this record certainly delivers on that front. We had time to hone in to what we think makes us interesting and what sounds we would like to explore through this we have found our home."
All of which explains why Gagneux felt it appropriate to name both the new record and its opening track after the band.
The album was recorded with collaborator Marc Obrist and mixed by Will Putney (Gojira, Every Time I Die). In addition, the band have unveiled the third track from the record, Bow, which follows on the heels of thrash-y riffer Run, and the black metal-laced Erase.
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The new track puts vocals front and center and has the makings of a dark singalong: listing a series of bad omens amongst a blur of rumbling bass, and visions of capitalist collapse. It will make a fine addition to your 'sunny day' playlist, then.
Matt is Features Editor for GuitarWorld.com. Before that he spent 10 years as a freelance music journalist, interviewing artists for the likes of Total Guitar, Guitarist, Guitar World, MusicRadar, NME.com, DJ Mag and Electronic Sound. In 2020, he launched CreativeMoney.co.uk, which aims to share the ideas that make creative lifestyles more sustainable. He plays guitar, but should not be allowed near your delay pedals.
