…Although they never truly went away. Since 2016’s critically acclaimed“The Well-Intentioned Virus”(really, just ask the critics, they LOVED it, even NPR jumped on board–who would have thought?) the band has been releasing EPs, remix albums, Nintendocartridges with actual music on them, concept 7 inches packaged in mirrors and stillfound time to oversee reissues of their back catalog and an album of archival demosfrom 1995. Somehow in the midst of all of this the band found time to record a new 60-minute 11 song album titled“The Crimson Corridor”being released on April 9th.While not OFFICIALLY adouble album (aside from the double disc vinyl)“The CrimsonCorridor”isZao’slongest record since 2004’s“The Funeral Of God”. Unlike that one,this is not a concept album in the traditional sense but there is an underlying lyricaltheme. According tosinger/lyricist Daniel Weyandt, “It is a about the place in my mindwhere depression, anxiety and anger all manifest under the watchful eye of the shadowself. It is a long hallway lined with doors that lead to terrible places. And though Idespise that place I always find myself back within its walls.” Party/dance music this isnot.Musically speaking“The Crimson Corridor”is extremes. While there are plenty of theband’s signature crushing riffs and abrasive vocals there are also a lot of moments ofquiet tension.Zaois not in a hurry and are not afraid to drop back and build quiettension only to slam back roaring louder than before. According to guitarist ScottMellinger, “The headspace I was in while writing this material was very dark. I wasdealingwith loss on a few different fronts. It was overwhelming and I think that’s whythe material sounds so oppressive.”Recorded with Dave Hidek at The Church Studio in Pittsburgh, PA and packaged withthe horror photography of Christopher McKenney“The Crimson Corridor”was delayedalmost a year due to a very BAD-intentioned virus. The band spent that year in isolationdigging even more into the music to see what else could be done to make the music the“surreal horror landscape” that they had initially set out to achieve. According todrummer and acting manager/label-head Jeff Gretz “We spent more time crafting theworld these songs exist in, I think, more than any otherZaorecord prior. It’s definitelyour most produced record. Not in a polished way, but ina layered way. We spent a LOTof time thinking about the space around the notes and the ghosts that live in thosenegative spaces.”“The Crimson Corridor”will release officially onApril 9th, 2021on the band’s self-runObserved/Observer Recordings. Pre-orders for digital/CD/Double LP and Cassette willbe available through the band’s Bandcamp store and through the band’s merch partnersHoly Mountain PrintingonMarch 5.Zao tidbits–It’s pronounced ZAY-oh (not Zow, don’t say Zow)

The current iteration ofthe band is from Greensburg, PA (and has been operatingout of Greensburg PA since 1999)The band is not a “Christian” band regardless of what members may or may notbelieve.There has not been a member change since 2005. The current lineup ofZaois:DanWeyandt (23 years–minus a few tours), Russ Cogdell (23 years–minus afew sabbaticals), Scott Mellinger (22 Years), Martin Lunn (15 Years), Jeff Gretz(15 Years)