LIVE REVIEW: Zeal & Ardor @ Gorilla, Manchester

Since the release of Devil Is Fine in 2016, ZEAL & ARDOR, the project from musical mastermind Manuel Gagneux, has become a phenomenon in our world. On paper, fusing the nihilistic and ferocious nature of black metal with African American Spirituals shouldn’t work, but Gagneux has forged what is now a match made in heaven. Since expanding to a fully-fledged band last year, ZEAL & ARDOR have gone from strength to strength, capitalising on the hype. Now, as 2018 draws to a close, the band hit the intimate confines of Gorilla in Manchester, intending to sign off a momentous year.

Serving as the sole support for a show is never an easy task, especially given the excitement surrounding tonight’s headliners, but Blackpool-based quartet BLANKET show no nerves and give a performance of quality. Their self-described ‘cinematic rock’ does exactly what it says on the tin and the band proceed to display a sound that is as expansive as it is beautiful. Delicate splashes of ambience intertwine with moving guitarwork from Bobby Pook and Simon Morgan whilst Steven Pallatt acts as the centrepiece for their sound, with his drumming switching from tremendous power in climaxes to gentle percussion that helps move it organically. Occasional vocal passages from Pook sound crystal clear and help add an extra layer to the band’s already stacked sound and the presence of a screen displaying cinematic clips gave a nice visual aesthetic. Upon their conclusion, the crowd is won over. A strong performance from a band whose trajectory is sure to ascend.

Rating: 8/10

Given that the venue is packed to the rafters by the time ZEAL & ARDOR hit the stage gives just an indication to the hype surrounding the band. Utilising hushed melodic vocals from the venue’s sound system prior to entering the stage proved to be a masterstroke, keeping the hype bubbling before a note has even been played. As they enter the stage, cloaked, the mood unfolds more like a cult meeting as opposed to a standard live performance, and in a set that is loaded with material from this year’s Stranger Fruit, ZEAL & ARDOR craft a mesmerising atmosphere that is maintained from beginning to end.

Ferocious riffs and shrieking vocals contrast with soulful blues-tinged croons and the ability of the band to switch so dynamically and effortlessly is simply breathtaking to watch. Row Row snaps from triple-pronged chants to devilish blasts, Don’t You Dare‘s soulful melodies is soaked with that of the Deep South before switching to explosive black metal blasts and Gravedigger’s Chant is utterly moving as Manuel Gagneux soars with his delightful blues-heavy vocals. This all displays the sheer versatility at his disposal. The ability to dramatically switch from venomous shrieks to deep moving passages is jaw-dropping and he rarely dips in quality throughout the set.

Whilst Gagneux is certainly the focal point to ZEAL & ARDOR‘s sonic delivery, to disregard his bandmates would indeed be doing them a disservice. Mia Rafaela Dieu and Marco Von Allem work tirelessly behind the scenes, ensuring that the band flow organically, whilst Tiziano Volante provides ample extra firepower in the guitar department when called upon. Marc Obrist and Denis Wagner both excel in their vocal deliveries, adding ample chants and backing vocals that only enforce Gagneux‘s leads to resonate with the crowd. Not even sporadic technical gremlins can burst the bubble of immersion.

Indeed what ZEAL & ARDOR gave in their performance in Manchester is nothing short of extraordinary and finishing with an encore that included the notable Devil Is Fine, its execution flawless and receiving the biggest cheers of the night, ensured that the hype is more than justified. Heavy music has seen a bountiful crop of bands pushing creativity to its very limits, and judging from what ZEAL & ARDOR gave in Manchester, they are very much one of the best.

Rating: 9/10

Check out our photo gallery from the night’s action in Manchester from Jacob Kazara here: