Rockezine.com interview with Zao on Sep 18, 2004

with Dan on Sep 18, 2004

Zao just brought the fans a new album. Again, it is full of agressive metalcore yet with a positive message in it. Still, they`re going strong and stay true to their faith. When I was asked to Interview Zao I immediately said yes, there is a lot to ask them. Unfortunately, it was pretty noisy in the backstage room of the Goudvishal, so when I listened to my recording of the interview sessions, some parts were just overwhelmed by the noise of the soundcheck etc.
		How is the tour going so far? This is the 9th day we’re on tour. We’re doing a couple more shows. Yesterday we were in Swiss were it was so cold, the altitude made me pop my ears. After this, we’re touring a month with Dillinger Escape plan.
		How is the respons of the Audience? I noticed there are a lot of people who don’t know us, just seeing us for the first time. But in some places we are bigger than other, and there are some mosh pits. Mostly we attract more hardcore people
		The new cd is a few months out now, how is it doing? And are you still statisfied about the cd? Pretty well. I’m not sure how much cd we sell. We spent more time on this cd than on the other cd. Like Parade of Chaos were I heard the songs 3 day before recordings, so I had to write the lyrics pretty quickly.This one is pretty polished. It has a pretty groove in it. This was the first time we looked back at the history of Zao, and canalised the best pieces of our albums out and put it on one record. Defining our style.
		Why did you decide to give the cd the controversial title ‘Funeral Of God?’ It started of as a dream. A lot of people claim to be happy as God were dead. But A lot of people that are stabbed on the streets, bleeding to death are praying to god. I had a few friends myself dying that way. I was not raised with religion, my dad was An Agnost, but I started to think for myself
		Is it some kind of Statement? It is something you can think about it. Lyrically it is about the darker side of our person. About anti-anthems.
		After about 6 cd’s and 8 years, do you still want to achieve some goals with Zao? The band was around before, around 1995, there aren’t original members in zao anymore. We’re still like to tour with some great bands, doing a little more tour etc.
		Could Zao have been bigger and have more fans if they drop the religious aspect, what do you think ? We always have known it would be a problem to certain people. Christianity is a word, and it is sometimes become negative. We concerns ourselves Christians, but I disagree with a lot of political aspects. It’s hard to say if Christianity can be combined with Politics. Sometimes people just wants more money in their pocket, and use Christianity for it. I think we could have had more fans, but as we are on tour, and people get to know us we’re a band that has believes, and people with opposite believes even became friends with us.
		How is the relationship with Ferret going? Still great. We know these guys for years, and still no problems with them.
		Are there any new bands we should check out? The bronx is a very good new band from Ferret. Check it out.
		Can you name 3 famous Scottish persons? Uh no?! or.. yeah the loch ness thing is one. But I can`t name 3 of them.
(Friso Veltkamp)