If you like heavy music and you don't like this album, I would automatically question your sophistication as a listener.

"Where Blood and Fire..." is THE best metalcore album of all time. If you're new to the genre, this IS the perfect place to start, along with New Day Rising's "Memoirs of Cynicism" and Morning Again's "Martyr." Seriously, that's all you really need.

Anyway... This is one of those albums that needs a whole three seconds of play to beckon both ears as a listener. Immediately, any intelligent listener will a.) recognize the enormously thick production and b.) the enormously thick guitar sound. And then Danny hisses... lol. Wow. Back in '98 I hadn't yet been exposed to black metal, so I was utterly shaken when I heard Daniel Weyandt seeth. And even now, after being thoroughly schooled in black metal, I'm not sure anybody tops him. They all end-up sounding thin. Though this is NOT black metal, Danny has THE richest, most scathing "black metal" vocals ever. Coincidentally, I once overheard him say, "I can breathe into a mic and label's will jump to sign my band."

Generally, most bands in the metalcore genre, especially nowdays, tend to vituperate the listener until his/her family doctor notices some callusing on the eardrum and advises the patient to switch styles quick. Fortunately, this disc comes with no contraindications. YES, it's brutally heavy; and YES, your mom still won't understand why you like it - or, rather, why you can't stop listening to it, BUT at the same time, there is recognizable beauty here. After all, "Where Blood and Fire..." was written back when emo-hero Brett Detar (Juliana Theory frontman) was still in the band, so you know the melody's there and you know the song-writing's terrific.

And then there's Jesse Smith, the last original member. My God, does this guy kick ass. He hits his kit like it just assaulted his mom. Seriously, each strike pulls with it the conviction of a madman; and with the killer production, he pounds like thunder. Pair this disc with a great set of speakers and you're toast. No joke, your heart will start thumping to the beat of Jesse's feet.

Anyway, if you go to church and you don't preach this album, you should be crucified. If you're a Zao fan and you don't have this album - hate to break it to ya - you're hardly aware of what you stand for. 10/10.

Zao is the best Christian metalcore band to have ever existed. This is also the first CD with the brutal Carcass-esque vocals of Dan Weyandt, along with Russ Cogdell. Brett Detar of The Juliana Theory also plays guitar on this record. Don't forget the legendary Jesse Smith. "A Fall Farewell", "Ravage Ritual" and "Ember" are all great tracks, along with the rest of this legendary album. So set all your Switchfoot and Third Day albums on fire and buy some good music for once.

Also, check out my Zao fan site:

www.geocities.com/dillonuhrich1/Zaography

I have no idea what brought me to buy this album the reviews read about how brutal and unique it is but, it absolutly blows! Everysong is more of the same garbage. I really hate zao for starting this stupid metalcore thing, it is what has become of the slipknot generation I guess...slipknot can stomp these guys tho...and thats sad..

It is good. It is fun to listen to. I like music. I like this band. It is fun band listen. If you like it, me too. Have fun listening to this album. I did. I like this album because it is fun. I hear something. Coming mother. Bye!

Awesome album and great vocalist. I don't really care for the lyrics but i can ignore that cause the music is really good and heavy. Best song is for a fair desire. Funeral of God is also a good album by zao.