Zombie (EP)

Zombie EP
EP by The Devil Wears Prada
Released August 23, 2010
Recorded May – June 2010 in Foundation Recording Studio
Genre Metalcore
Length 22:50
Label Ferret
Producer Joey Sturgis
The Devil Wears Prada chronology

With Roots Above and Branches Below
(2009)		 Zombie EP
(2010)		 Dead Throne
(2011)

Zombie is the first EP by American metalcore band The Devil Wears Prada. It was released on August 23, 2010. The band announced they would tour in support of the EP's five year anniversary, where they will play the album in its entirety.[1]

Background

The planning and writing for Zombie began before the summer of 2010.[2] In June it was confirmed that the recording of it was completed and the band then thereafter embarked on their Back to the Roots Tour.[3] Upon its original announcement, frontman Mike Hranica described it as being a "fun" release with "brutal" songs. Its general concept concerns the story of a relentless zombie apocalypse due to Hranica's strong interest on the subject.[4]

Musical style

The band's metalcore musical style evolved considerably after the release of With Roots Above and Branches Below.[5] Taking note of the EP's speedier approach, The Devil Wears Prada stated that Zombie has the "fastest music they've ever written" and even admitted that it draws a strong influence from the likes of Slayer and Hatebreed.[4] It is also the first release by the band that does not feature humorous song titles.[6]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
AbsolutePunk (88%)[7]
Allmusic [8]
Audio Opinions [9]
Blare Magazine [10]
Double Dance [11]
Jesus Freak Hideout [12]
Ultimate Guitar Archive (8.1/10)[13]

Critically, reception to Zombie has been met with positive reviews and ratings. Upon the EP's release, it debuted at number 10 on the Billboard 200 and number 2 on the Independent Albums.[14] The EP was praised for its notice of the band's overall performance along with many critics enjoying its concept.

Allmusic praised the group's musicianship expressing enjoyment over the array of influenced entwined with the EP's eerie concept. Dom Wyatt of Dead Press! stated "[The EP] kind of takes me back a good five or six years in the underground metal scene where it was commonplace to use movie sound bites mid-song, albeit this time they use a feigned public service announcement at the start of track three, ‘Outnumbered’. The main track that stands-out is ‘Anatomy’, if not for the vicious breakdown but for the opening riff with the synth intertwined."

Track listing

All lyrics written by Mike Hranica, all music composed by The Devil Wears Prada.

No. Title Length
1. "Escape"   4:45
2. "Anatomy"   3:46
3. "Outnumbered"   4:54
4. "Revive"   4:53
5. "Survivor"   4:32
Total length:
 22:50

Personnel

Credits for Zombie EP adapted from Allmusic.[15]

The Devil Wears Prada
  • James Baney – synthesisers, keyboards
  • Jeremy DePoyster – rhythm guitar, clean vocals
  • Mike Hranica – lead vocals
  • Chris Rubey – lead guitar
  • Andy Trick – bass guitar
  • Daniel Williams – drums
Production
  • Joey Sturgis – production, engineering, mastering, mixing
  • Tim Brennan – A&R
  • Adam Elmakias – photography
  • Sons of Nero – layout
  • Eric Rushing – management
  • Dave Shapiro – booking

Charts

Chart (2010) Peak
position
Billboard 200[14] 10
Billboard Digital Albums[14]
Billboard Independent Albums[14] 2
Billboard Rock Albums[14]

References