By far one of the most alternately stark, gripping, and emotional offerings ever produced by the heavy music genre, this album is considered by most fans to be the definitive Zao work. After the dissolution of the band's prior incarnation, original member, drummer, and songwriter Jesse Smith assembled a new lineup that included guitarists Russ Cogdell and Brett Detar (who would later play for the Juliana Theory) and poetically inclined, screechingly devastating vocalist Daniel Weyandt. Lyrically, this album addresses the death of loved ones, religious issues, and in-depth personal examination with forthright honesty and daring emotional bravery, all backed by walloping walls of heavy metallic sounds and mournful guitar lines. Smith's drumming is impeccable and the songs are all driving, heart-tugging anthems that sound pained and devastatingly cathartic all at once. It features sharp, hissed, Carcass-like vocals that have been imitated by countless bands in the wake of this album's release. A definitive album from what has proven to be one of the most important bands in the metalcore genre. ~ Ryan J. Downey, All Music Guide
Russ Cogdell (?), Jason Magnusson (Assistant Producer), Daniel Weyandt (?), Brian Gardner (Mastering), Brett Detar (Guitar), Don Clark (Layout Design), Don Clark (Design), Jesse Smith (Drums), Zao (Performer), Tim Owen (Photography), Barry Poynter (Mixing), Bruce Fitzhugh (Producer), Barry Poynter (Engineer), Brandon Ebel (Executive Producer), Don Clark (Concept)
Where Blood and Fire Bring Rest is the third full length album released by metalcore band Zao on Solid State/Tooth & Nail Records. It was the first album to feature vocalist Dan Weyandt after the departure of Shawn Jonas along with new bassists/guitarists, Russ Cogdell and Brett Detar. The album contains a sample from the film The Shining at the beginning of "To Think of You", as well as a sample from the horror film The Prophecy during the intro to "Ravage Ritual."
