BIOGRAPHICAL DATA: In a genre where most bands break-up even before hitting their stride, ZAO has withstood the test of time and continuously proven that a band can still be great in spite of numerous personnel changes. The many incarnations of ZAO began with a group of kids setting out to make music and kill time in the mid-1990's. The results were two split seven-inches (with Through and Through, Outcast), and the band's debut full-length, "All Else Failed," on Steadfast Records. The band would quickly move to Solid State Records, an hardcore/metal imprint label of Tooth and Nail Records in Washington State. Entitled "The Splinter, Shards, the Birth of Separation," the band played metal-influenced hardcore in the vein of Earth Crisis. The band would tour in support of the new album, establishing its zealous cult fan base across the country. Following the tour, however, drummer Jesse Smith would himself without a supporting cast. Along came vocalist Daniel Weyandt, guitarist Russ Codgell, and bassist Brett Detar (Juliana Theory), and a new incarnation of ZAO was born. The new line-up would make its mark with the release of "Where Blood and Fire Bring Rest" in 1998. Combining metal riffs, harmonization, pummeling rhythms, and black metal vocals, ZAO gained the attention of the hardcore scene with its metalcore assault and spiritual lyrics. The band would experience additions and changes, with Scott Mellinger (Creation is Crucifixtion) on second guitar, and Rob Horner taking over bass duties. In mid-1999, came ZAO's third full-length, "Liberate Te Ex Infernis (Save Yourself From Hell)." Around the same time, Steadfast Records would re-release ZAO's first effort, "All Else Failed." Again, the band would experience line-up changes with Russ Codgell leaving for film school, and vocalist Daniel Weyandt pursuing other interests. The legacy of the "Weyandt-era" of ZAO would be captured in the band's latest and last full-length for Solid State, "S/T," displaying ZAO's evolving sound, but remaining true to its fundamentals. Rigorous touring, along with a split CDEP in 1998 with Training for Utopia (ex-Focal Point) has continued to add to the band's following. In early-2002, ZAO would undergo another line-up change. Currently, Smith, Mellinger, and Weyandt are reported to be the latest incarnation.
--bio may contain outdated information--