Rewinding back to August 2010, Metalcore savants The Devil Wears Prada put out the Zombie EP (Ferret Music) – a release that introduced a new level of maturity and heaviness for the band and remains a fan favorite to this day. Fast forward to the present day, TDWP have written ZII (Solid State Records), a sequel EP no one knew was coming. While its precursor is about fighting the apocalypse, ZII embodies the stemming feelings of exhaustion and hopelessness.
It is hard to believe there’s over a decade gap between the two EPs, as sonically, ZII seems to pick up right where its forerunner left off. The biggest transitional adjustment made between the two is the lyrical content, shifting the zombie outbreak concept in a way that makes it relatable to the world today.
With no time to waste, opening track ‘Nightfall’ dives right into the beefy guitar riffs and Mike Hranica’s signature screams to let you know they mean business. ‘Forlorn’ features exasperated yells under dismal cleans that erupt into a fuming breakdown, epitomizing the very sound that they are known and loved for. However, while the classic balance of blazing instrumentals and desolate melodies can provide a comforting nostalgia, it can also go stale after so many bands follow such a formula for generations. This is not to say recovering scene kids from the early 2000s won’t eat it up anyway, but anyone not a part of their die-hard fanbase may find it a bit too predictable.
Lead single ‘Termination’ is where the zombie plague fully transforms into the COVID plague, voicing brutal truths such as, “The state’s keeping secrets from me, but actuality is the undead threat.” ‘Contagion’ is the EP’s most dynamic song, starting with a light piano and ominous sound effects. The EP’s themes of post-apocalyptic despair become even more lucid for the closer, bringing all the effects of the pandemic to light. Instances of singer Jeremy DePoyster going beyond hushed, feeble croons are rare on ZII, so it’s satisfying to hear a little more from him for the final track.
ZII wields a heavy, impassioned energy that will remind longtime TDWP fans of better days while delivering lyrics relevant to current times. Just don’t expect to hear anything too new instrumental-wise.
Buy the EP here: https://ziiundeadstream.com/
6 / 10
COLLEEN KANOWSKY