The Funeral of God

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The Funeral Of God
Studio album by Zao
Released	July 13, 2004 (U.S.) July 12, 2004 (Europe)
Recorded	Trax East, New Jersey
Genre	Metalcore
Length	47:18
Label	Ferret Records (U.S.), Roadrunner and Ferret Records (Europe, Asia)
Producer(s)	Eric Rachel and Zao
Professional reviews
HCS.net link
Zao chronology
Legendary (2004)	The Funeral Of God (2004)	The Fear is What Keeps Us Here (2006)

The Funeral Of God is the ninth full length album by metalcore band Zao. Released on July 13, 2004 on Ferret Records (U.S.) and on July 12, 2004 on Roadrunner and Ferret Records (Europe, Asia). Saw the return of guitarist, Russ Cogdell, and the addition of bassist Shawn Koschik and drummer Stephen Peck after the departure of Jesse Smith.

Contents 1 Title Note 2 Concept 3 Sound 4 Track listing 5 Personnel 6 Quotes

[edit] Title Note

Originally the album was going to be called, "Live... From The Funeral Of God," but the band's management was concerned that fans might construe that to mean it's a live recording, so the title was shortened.

[edit] Concept

The album is in fact a concept album, narrating an apocalyptic story in which God, fed up with the path chosen by humanity, decides to disappear, leaving humanity to its fate. Subsequently, the world falls into a state of war and self-destruction. However, man soon reverts to a state in which he waits for God to return.

[edit] Sound

Sounding different than most albums Zao have released, this record is a swing towards bands such as Killswitch Engage and Shadows Fall. It also goes for a melodic sound than their past albums, such as in the song Psalm of the City of the Dead.

[edit] Track listing

1. "Breath Of The Black Muse" – 4:00
2. "The Rising End (The First Prophecy)" – 3:27
3. "The Last Revelation (The Last Prophecy)" – 3:56
4. "The Last Song From Zion" – 4:47
5. "Live...From The Funeral Of God" – 4:11
6. "The Lesser Lights Of Heaven" – 4:15
7. "In Times Gone Past" – 4:33
8. "Praise The War Machine" – 4:06
9. "Truly, Truly, This Is The End" – 4:22
10. "I Lay Sleepless In My Grave" – 1:32
11. "Psalm Of The City Of The Dead" – 8:09

[edit] Personnel

• Dan Weyandt - Vocals
• Scott Mellinger - Guitar/Vocals
• Russ Cogdell - Guitar
• Shawn Koschik - Bass
• Stephen Peck - Drums
• Sara George - Additional vocals on track 11

[edit] Quotes

"The story is unique, the vocals are vicious, the guitars are cacophonic, and the barrage is relentless. Zao has returned with a preeminent fury and have outdone themselves once again." - Outburn (9/10)

"If the melodic end of the genre has been taken by Killswitch Engage then the extreme end of the Kingdom belongs to Zao. No question." - Metal Hammer UK (9/10)