Long standing Metalcore band ZAO has undergone many changes since their formation in 1993, but the quality of the consistent releases has remained the same. "The Crimson Corridor", the twelfth full length album from the five piece, is their longest and most emotionally driven album to date.

From the haunting album artwork to the gloomy intro track "Into the Jaws of Dread", which utilizes soundbites of children and overlayed whispering voices to create a terrifying atmosphere that nicely sets up the listener for the rest of the album.

The seamless transition into the second track "Ship of Theseus" is a great demonstration of the flawless editing and production of this album. The song is fast, brutal and slamming, a huge contrast to the previous track. The drums are Thrashy, greatly complimenting Dan Weyandt's harsh vocals. My favourite thing about listening to the album is the very natural drum sound they have chosen, a far cry from some of the more overproduced mechanical sounding metalcore albums that are being released.

The album is never short of great riffs and beats, showing that after 32 years ZAO's creativity has only grown, from chugging beatdown to up-tempo Pop Punk, with Black Metal like vocals and constant thunderous drumming, The Crimson Corridor takes the listener on a musical journey like no other metalcore band could create. The differences in intros between "Ship of Theseus" and "R.I.P.W." perfectly demonstrate ZAO's broad knowledge of song writing and musicianship.

"Nothings Form" features a clean vocal performance from guitarist Scott Mellinger, whose angelic voice perfectly complements Weyandt's. It creates an emotional turn in the midst of the chaos of the rest of the album. Scott Mellinger continues to impress with a harmonious verse at the end of "Creator/Destroyer", the talent of each individual member is endless. The album closes with ten minute moving epic "The Web". A perfect conclusion to the record, the band demonstrates everything that makes the album great here, breakneck musical changes keep the listener attentive for all ten minutes, the song closes out with delicate build up leading to two blistering minutes of headbanging metal.

"The Crimson Corridor" is one of my favourite metal releases of this year, it is a result of fantastic musicianship and a passion for heavy music. Proof that a band can still have their best work coming after three decades and a dozen albums.