The Funeral of God

The Funeral of God
Studio album by Zao
Released July 13, 2004 (U.S.)
July 12, 2004 (Europe)
Genre

Metalcore

Recorded = Trax East, New Jersey
Length 47:18
Label Ferret Records (U.S.),
Roadrunner and Ferret Records (Europe, Asia)
Producer Eric Rachel and Zao
Professional reviews

The reviews parameter has been deprecated. Please move reviews into the “Reception” section of the article. See Moving reviews into article space.
Zao chronology
Legendary
(2004)		 The Funeral of God
(2004)		 The Fear is What Keeps Us Here
(2006)

The Funeral of God is the seventh 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. A music video was made for the song "The Rising End (The First Prophecy)" and is one of their most popular songs.

Contents

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.

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.

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 more melodic sound than their past albums, such as in the song "Psalm of the City of the Dead".

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
  12. "Romance of the Southern Spirit" (Japanese bonus) - 4:48

Credits

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)