Versatility is something that, depending on the bands and or sub-genres I listen to, has become the main characteristic I look at when listening to new bands and/or new records. Zeal & Ardor checks all of the boxes when defining versatility. This is a band that exceptionally fuses heavy music with some more popular sounds. Have you ever thought you were going to listen to a Black Metal album with R&B melodies and more? Zeal & Ardor has it for you in their latest release Zeal & Ardor (MVKA).

This is an album that is all over the place in the best sense. The vocalist and overall main guy, Manuel Ganeux, brings some genius vocal melodies on the entirety of the album. Not only that, their catchy, groovy riffs will have you completely obsessed over how memorable they are. Tracks like ‘Feed The Machine’ and ‘I Caught You’, which is probably my favorite track of the album, are two of the tracks that best capture the overall sound of this album. Now, the instrumental ‘Emersion’ combines electronic music traits with more blast beats and heavy riffs adding more to the unique sound that the band offers. 

Overall, it is a great, energetic album with a bunch of different areas to cover and digest. If you haven’t heard Zeal & Ardor yet and this is your first impression of the band, it may take a while, but I can attest and assure you that it will be a big part of anyone’s music collection. This is one of the most refreshing bands out there and it is worth anyone’s time to keep close attention to what they do. Zeal & Ardor continues to evolve, and this album proves it, excited to see what the future holds for them!

Buy the album here: https://zealandardor.lnk.to/zealandardor

8 / 10

WESLIE NEGRON