Zeal & Ardor – Greif (Review)

Since their first release Devil Is Fine in 2016, it is probably not an exaggeration to say that Zeal and Ardor is one of the most extraordinary musical offerings the metal scene has to offer at the moment. This remains true with the fourth studio album, even though there have been some changes on the 14-song long album. While the EP Hide in Shade gave a glimpse of what to expect of the upcoming album, the diversity was not evident, which pleasantly surprised me.

While songs like “Fend You Off” or “Hide in Shade” remind of the typical heavy songs from previous albums, the band also shows a different side. “Clawing Out” has a distinctly stronger Hardcore influence, while “Sugarcoat” harkens back to classic alternative rock songs from a decade ago.

One of the major changes on the album is heard in “Go home my friend” and “369“: the other two vocalists of the band, Denis Wagner and Marc Obrist, are more prominently featured on those songs, adding a refreshing touch and emphasizing the gospel style even more. “Solace” and “to my ilk” are noticeably calmer in sound, with minimal ingredients generating a great tone.

All in all, I would describe Greif as a successful evolution of the band’s musical style. Once again, the six Swiss musicians led by frontman Manuel Gagneux push the genre boundaries of their Black Metal gospel without abandoning them. Greif is qualitatively on par with the first album Devil Is Fine and the eponymous album Zeal and Ardor from 2022 in my opinion. However, some decisions may not sit well with certain fans, as the album may not rank at the top due to a lack of the usual hardness and roughness in sound, as well as perhaps too many experiments. On the other hand, the courage to explore new territories is commendable, as the fundamental style is still recognizable and was thoughtfully developed: a stronger integration of the two background singers, a closer intertwining of gospel elements with the metal style, leading to even more cohesive song structures. For me, Greif is one of the artistically strongest albums of 2024.

It is worth mentioning that anyone who has the chance to see Zeal & Ardor live should definitely do so. Their performance at Summer Breeze 2023 is still vividly remembered in a positive light, and the Swiss band remains high on my list of live concert must-sees.