I have had the pleasure to review the last EP that the Frisian band ZUBZERO did in 2023 (“Frostbite”) and found out that I really like the way that this band is able to blend Heavy Metal with Hardcore elements. Now, some two years later they are back with another EP, which they have named “Perverseverance”. And I have to say, what a brilliant title and play on words. Again, we are treated with four short and straight shooting songs that leave no doubt as to what these people from the utter North of the Netherlands have to offer.

As they have been going for some 26 years in 1999, and the two Draaisma brothers Dirk and Lars have been the backbone of the of ZUBZERO since then. Since 2005 they have been accompanied by Herman Mulder on bass, making him another long term member. The latest addition to the band is singer Ferdinand Wanders, but as he joined in 2020, he can’t really be called a newcomer either. The fact that this line up has been going for some five years now does filter through in the songs and the performances. You can hear that every musician is as much a master on their instrument as is needed, and that they all have the ability to read each other like a book. The cohesion between the band members on “Perverseverance” could be seen as affectionate, almost addictive, and definitely complete.

As for the songs on “Perverseverance”, I feel that in comparison to “Frostbite” they have improved quite a bit. The band sounds tighter, feels stronger, comes over more decisive and seems to have gained a whole lot of confidence in the last two years. Oh, and the production is just that bit better than it was two years ago. I know that Headbangers Records, Big Bad Wolf Records and Stichting Metalization are happy with the progression of ZUBZERO, as they were also the labels who released “Frostbite”. So, yes, they are happy with the development as I am, but when I listen to their latest songs I can’t help but express my desire to be able to listen to a whole full-length album of good music of this quality. ZUBZERO have surpassed anything they have done before now and should be ready to go out into the world and collect the praise that they deserve. That’s why I also wouldn’t be surprised if they are to be approached by other labels.