Zeal & Ardor Unveils Fourth Album ‘GREIF’ & Embarks On Extensive Tour

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Switzerland-based avant-garde metal outfit Zeal & Ardor is not just a band; it’s a living, breathing entity, ever-evolving and unpredictable. Fronted by the inventive Manuel Gagneux, the band has sharpened its claws and forged ahead with its fourth full-length, self-produced album titled ‘GREIF’, slated for release on August 23rd, 2024.

Drawing inspiration from Basel’s annual tradition, ‘GREIF’ embodies a mythical hybrid creature symbolizing defiance against oppressive forces. Manuel elaborates, “The GREIF is a lion, a snake, and a bird… It reflects where we are.”

Ahead of the album’s release, Zeal & Ardor offers a glimpse into its sonic landscape with the poignant final track, ‘to my ilk’, blending bluesy guitars and haunting vocals.

Listen to the debut single ‘to my ilk’ below!

Despite global acclaim from previous albums, Manuel chose to push boundaries with “GREIF,” collaborating closely with bandmates Tiziano Volante, Marc Obrist, Denis Wagner, Lukas Kurmann, and Marco Von Allmen. Marc reflects on their growth, stating, “Before Zeal & Ardor, we were basically strangers, but we’re like a little family now.”

Recorded in just five months at Marc’s studio in Switzerland, ‘GREIF’ showcases the band’s evolution, featuring three voices for the first time and exploring new sonic territories. Manuel explains, “There are angry and accusatory moments, but there’s also some solace and happiness. I’m widening the palette of colors we have to paint with.”

The album, available on CD, transparent vinyl, and digitally, invites listeners to delve into Zeal & Ardor’s diverse sonic universe. With tracks like ‘the Bird, the Lion, and the Wildkin’ and ‘Sugarcoat’, the album promises both intensity and charm.

Zeal & Ardor is set to embark on an extensive tour, including headline dates, festival performances, and shows alongside experimental folk ensemble HEILUNG. The band returns to the UK for a headline show at London’s O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire on September 22nd, 2024.

Tickets for the tour are available now, offering fans the chance to experience the full spectrum of Zeal & Ardor’s sonic journey. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.zealandardor.com.