Search - Zao :: The Splinter Shards the Birth of Separation

The Best Zao Cd

Josiah Wilson | Pennsylvania | 02/06/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Zao just can't help but be the best hardcore band. I think this is the best cd just for the simple fact that the music itself is better that Liberate Te Ex Inferis and more talented than Where Blood and Fire Bring Rest. I'd say this is a definite buy, but then again all Zao cd's are a definite buy."

Breaking Down Barriers

Eric Williamson | West Des Moines, IA | 11/19/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Splinter Shards The Birth Of Separation is Zao's 5th release. It was their second full length (after All Else Failed in the spring of 1996) and their first release on Solid State Records. Many people believe it's their first album, but that's because they don't know what they're talking about. =)
Their first recording (which I have) was only released on tape and was titled "Sustained". It was sold by the band with no label or distributor help. In 1995 Zao recorded their first "serious" endeavour. A song called "Flight" for THE TIE THAT BINDS. This was a Split 7" with Outcast that was released on Steadfast Records; which was owned by Matt Traxler (Six Feet Deep, Brandtson).
The second release was a full length released (again) on Steadfast Records in the spring of 1996. This release was titled ALL ELSE FAILED. This was re-released years later by KMG. Their third release was the song "Repressed" which was included on the TREADWATER 7" with the band Through And Through. Also from Steadfast Records.
And that... brings us to SPLINTER. I know a lot of people hate this album simply because it sounds like a different band. Well come on people, if you want to get technical EVERY FREAKIN' ZAO CD _IS_ A DIFFERENT BAND! Like so many other bands, Zao was simply learning who they were and defining themselves musically. In my opinion, it was a great process to listen to. Personally I didn't like the CD all that much at first, but the more I listen to it the more I absolutely love it.
There's such an awesome blend of metal and hardcore. The musicianship is as technical as it needs to be. The vocals are terribly emotional and the effects... This album helped spawn a group who's sound has been copied more than any other. I honestly believe that.
If you started with more recent Zao CD's, beware. This could catch you off guard. It's more hardcore than the sludgy, lurching metal that was BLOOD AND FIRE. Still an absolute must-have."

More Than Hardcore

How Are The Weak Free | 08/09/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In The Splinter Shards The Birth Of Separation Zao travels down a hardcore highway that begs to be renamed anything but the simplistic sounding "hardcore". Zao is very complex musically and screams with defiance at musical conventionalities. Jesse Smith's drumming on this album was phenomenal and even though some people discount Shawn Jonas' screaming style I think it sounded perfect with the instrumentals on this album. My favorite tracks were Repressed, Exchange, Times Of Separation, and In Loving kindness"