The band Zeal & Ardor recently released their fourth studio album, GREIF . Blending rock, blues, gospel, and extreme metal, the work showcases an evolution in the band's sound, accompanied by quite personal and dark lyrics.
GREIF was inspired by an annual tradition in the hometown of vocalist and leader Manuel Gagneux , Gagneux, in Basel, Switzerland, where a mythical hybrid creature parades through the streets for children, symbolizing the discontent of the working people of Basel towards the oppressive elite on the other side.
The album is the first by Zeal & Ardor to feature the full band – guitarist Tiziano Volante , backing vocalists Marc Obrist and Denis Wagner , bassist Lukas Kurmann , and drummer Marco Von Allmen – in the studio, instead of Gagneux recording everything alone.
Wikimetal Gagneux about the release, the creative process, the band's involvement, and more. Check out the full interview below.
Wikimetal: What was the creative process like for this album?
Manuel Gagneux: Creating GREIF was a transformative experience. It was intense, cathartic, and sometimes chaotic, but always deeply rewarding. We allowed ourselves to be more open, letting every emotion, every thought, flow into the music. The recording process was an extension of that, capturing the raw energy and spirit that fueled the album.
WM: The creative and recording process was different this time. You invited the other band members to participate in the recording process, whereas before everything was done by you. What was the reason for this change?
MG: In the past, Zeal & Ardor was very much a singular vision, but this time, I felt it was necessary to evolve, to embrace the talents and perspectives of the other members. This wasn't just my story to tell; it was a collective expression, and bringing them into the recording process was a way to honor that.
WM: How was that experience?
MG: It was liberating and invigorating. Everyone brought their own unique energy, which created an environment where ideas flowed freely. There were moments of friction, of course, but that only pushed us to dig deeper and create something that truly represents who we are now as a band.
WM: Does the album have a song that represents this change in the band?
MG: “To My Ilk” stands out as a track that encapsulates this change. It’s a song that wouldn’t have existed in our previous work, a result of collaboration and a willingness to explore new territories together.
WM: Looking back now, can you tell us if there's a clear theme to the album?
MG: The theme of GREIF is the duality of pain and power, of grief and resistance. It's about confronting the darkness, but also finding strength within it. Each track reflects a different facet of this struggle, whether personal, social, or existential.
WM: GRIEF sounds like a change of direction to you. Is that correct?
MG: Yes, GREIF represents a change. It's more collaborative, more varied in its influences, and more brutally honest. This album pushes us beyond the boundaries of what Zeal & Ardor can be.
WM: Some of the songs have a strong emotional depth. Are there any personal events incorporated into the album?
MG: Absolutely. There's a lot of personal experience interwoven into the essence of this album. It's not always explicit, but the emotions, struggles, and reflections are very real and often stem from our own lives.
WM: Now, a few questions so that readers and fans can get to know you better: your favorite bands?
MG: We are inspired by a wide range of artists, but bands like Nine Inch Nails , Meshuggah , and Swans have had a profound impact on us.
WM: Your all-time favorite albums?
MG: Albums like The Downward Spiral by Nine Inch Nails, Catch Thirty Three by Meshuggah, and Soundtracks for the Blind by Swans are some that we hold in high esteem.
WM: What have you been listening to lately?
MG: Lately, we've been delving into a mix of old and new – everything from Black Midi to Liturgy and some obscure gospel records. It's all about finding that spark in unexpected places.
