Greif (album)

2024 studio album by Zeal & Ardor

Greif

Studio album by

Zeal & Ardor

Released| 23 August 2024 (2024-08-23)
Genre| Black metal,[1] experimental metal,[2] avant-garde metal[3]
Length| 42:29
Label| Redacted
Producer| Manuel Gagneux
Zeal & Ardor chronology
| Zeal & Ardor
(2022)  | Greif
(2024)  |

|
|

Singles from  Zeal & Ardor

1. "To My Ilk"
Released: 22 April 2024
2. "Clawing Out"
Released: 24 May 2024
3. "Fend You Off"
Released: 21 June 2024
4. "Hide in Shade"
Released: 19 July 2024

Greif is the fourth studio album by avant-garde metal band Zeal & Ardor, released on 23 August 2024.[2] It is the first album they recorded as full band.

## Background

[edit]

While Zeal & Ardor began as a one-man project by Manuel Gagneux, Greif is the first album to be written and recorded by a full band,[4] while expanding beyond the act's "black metal meets spirituals" roots.[5] Reviewers also noted the album's experimentation with styles ranging from funk to alternative rock to classic rock.[6]

The album's title was inspired by a carnival creature called Der Vogel Greif that Gagneux observed in his hometown of Basel, Switzerland.[3] Gagneux decided to include the full Zeal & Ardor live band in the album's creation in return for their years of service while touring behind the group's previous albums.[4]

## Critical reception

[edit]

Professional ratingsReview scores

Source| Rating
Distorted Sound| 9/10[7]
Kerrang!| [3]
Metal Hammer| [8]
Metal Storm| 5.8/10[9]
Blabbermouth| 7.5/10[10]
Wall of Sound| 9.5/10[5]
Metal Injection| 6/10[1]

The album received generally positive reviews, but with some reservations when compared to previous Zeal & Ardor albums. Kerrang! noted that the album is less heavy and aggressive than the band's previous works, though "it goes further and deeper than anything Zeal & Ardor have done before."[3] Blabbermouth called the album "Diverse, daring and occasionally wasteful with its charms."[10]

Distorted Sound concluded that "While you won’t find as much raw savagery" as on the band's previous album, "you will continue to experience the brilliant level of craftmanship [sic] which has been so ridiculously consistent through Zeal & Ardor's catalogue."[7] Metal Hammer praised the album as "the sound of a band seeking to reinvent themselves and innovate beyond their roots," but noted that "by expanding their remit, the laser focus of the previous records is naturally lost."[8]

A reviewer for Metal Storm also praised the album's attempts to expand on the band's previous sounds, but concluded that Greif suffers from "an excessive level of lethargy to the record, a lack of especially engaging and likeable songs, and a few too many moments that are likely to miss the mark."[9] Metal Injection showed appreciation for the album's experimental mix of styles within the band's avant-garde metal roots, but concluded that "the song composure and the hallmark passion of Zeal & Ardor just didn't come together on this release."[1]

## Track listing

[edit]

All tracks are written by Manuel Gagneux.

No.| Title| Length

|
|

1.| "The Bird, the Lion, and the Wildkin"| 1:33
2.| "Fend You Off"| 3:52
3.| "Kilonova"| 4:07
4.| "Are You the Only One Now?"| 4:26
5.| "Go Home My Friend"| 1:56
6.| "Clawing Out"| 3:42
7.| "Disease"| 4:34
8.| "369"| 0:55
9.| "Thrill"| 2:27
10.| "une ville vide"| 2:04
11.| "Sugarcoat"| 2:58
12.| "Solace"| 3:52
13.| "Hide in Shade"| 3:38
14.| "To My Ilk"| 2:25
Total length:| 42:29

## Personnel

[edit]

* Manuel Gagneux – lead vocals, backing vocals, lead guitar, rhythm guitar, bass, synthesizer, programming
* Marco Von Allmen – drums
* Denis Wagner – backing vocals
* Marc Obrist – backing vocals
* Tiziano Volante – rhythm guitar, lead guitar
* Lukas Kurmann – bass

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c Lauren Campanell Mercer (22 August 2024). "Album Review: ZEAL & ARDOR - Grief". Metal Injection.
2. ^ a b "GREIF - Zeal & Ardor". AllMusic. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
3. ^ a b c d "Album Review: Zeal & Ardor - Greif". Kerrang!. 21 August 2024.
4. ^ a b Mills, Matt. "Zeal & Ardor on revolutionising metal, beating the racists and new album Greif". Guitar.com. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
5. ^ a b Wall of Sound review
6. ^ "Zeal & Ardor – "GREIF"". Everything Is Noise. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
7. ^ a b "ALBUM REVIEW: Greif - Zeal & Ardor". Distorted Sound. 23 August 2024.
8. ^ a b Rich Hobson (19 August 2024). ""Now they're seeing how deep the rabbit hole can go." Avant-garde metallers Zeal & Ardor have unleashed their adventurous side on the excellent Greif". Metal Hammer.
9. ^ a b Metal Storm review
10. ^ a b Blabbermouth review

* v
* t
* e

Zeal & Ardor

* Manuel Gagneux

* Denis Wagner
* Marc Obrist
* Tiziano Volante
* Lukas Kurmann
* Marco von Allmen

Studio albums|

* Devil Is Fine
* Stranger Fruit
* Zeal & Ardor
* Greif

Extended plays|

* Wake of a Nation

Live albums|

* Live in London

Related|

Zeal & Ardor discography
*[No.]: Number
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template