Zeal & Ardor Drop "Kilanova" Video — WATCH // New Album "GREIF" Out Now // Fall Tour On Deck

ZEAL & ARDOR isn't just a band; it's a living and breathing entity. Like any sentient being, it consumes, evolves, and transforms from one season to the next. It has only sharpened its claws, lengthened its teeth, and steeled its nerves over the years, growing more undeniable and unpredictable in the process.

The band dropped its fourth album, the self-produced GREIF, on August 23. Get it here.

Today, the band has shared the cinematic video for "Kilonova," which plays out like a short film against the backdrop of the song's tension.

Watch it below.

"A 'Kilonova' is when two supernovas collide," band leader Manguel Gagneuxstates. "It's the type of grandeur I'm after."

Now that you've had a moment to ponder and chew on that sentiment...

The band will return to North American soil with a headline tour that kicks off November 23 in Philadelphia and runs through December 18 in Dallas. Gaerea and Zetra will support. Get tickets here. All dates are posted below.

Rather than stagnating, basking in global acclaim garnered from three previous albums — Devil Is Fine [2017], Stranger Fruit [2018] and Zeal & Ardor [2022] — Manuel opted to shake things up for GREIF.

Instead of creatively flying solo again, this time he welcomed his bandmates into the studio, featuring three voices for the first time and emboldening the sound from every angle. As such, the musicians — Tiziano Volante [guitar], Marc Obrist [vocals], Denis Wagner [vocals], Lukas Kurmann [bass], and Marco Von Allmen [drums] — spread their wings alongside him. Decamping to Obrist's studio Hutch Sounds in Switzerland, the record came to life in just five months.

"We've really evolved into a tight-knit unit," explains Obrist. "Before Zeal & Ardor, we were basically strangers, but we're like a little family now. Each member brings his own unique flavor to the mix, and we all try to make Manuel's songs better in our own way. The most interesting part for me was the new approach of how we work together in the studio."

"I wanted to expand upon what we had and introduce new colors," Manuel continues. "There are angry and accusatory moments, but there’s also some solace and happiness. I’m widening the palette of colors we have to paint with. These are avenues we haven’t tried."

ZEAL & ARDOR ON TOUR:
WITH GAEREA + ZETRA:
11/23 — Philadelphia, PA — Union Transfer
11/24 — New York, NY — Le Poisson Rouge
11/25 — Allston, MA — Brighton Music Hall
11/27 — Montreal, QC — Le Studio TD
11/28 — Toronto, ON — Opera House
11/29 — Detroit, MI — The Majestic
11/30 — Millvale, PA — Mr. Smalls Theatre
12/2nd — Indianapolis, IN — The Vogue
12/3 — Chicago, IL — Thalia Hall
12/4 — Minneapolis, MN — Varsity Theater
12/6 — Englewood, CO — Gothic Theatre
12/7 — Salt Lake City, UT — Urban Lounge
12/9 — Seattle, WA — The Showbox
12/10 — Vancouver, BC — Rickshaw Theatre
12/11 — Portland, OR — Wonder Ballroom
12/13 — Berkeley, CA — UC Theatre
12/14 — Santa Ana, CA — The Observatory
12/15 — Phoeniz, AZ — Crescent Ballroom
12/17 — Austin, TX — Mohawk
12/18 — Dallas, TX — Studio at The Factory

"We invite listeners to hear the full spectrum of the different sides and sounds that make Zeal & Ardor," Tiziano leaves off. "There are some gorgeous moments, but it packs in a lot of intensity and charm. In Manuel's songwriting and the process with every member, there's a certain intentionality as well as an element of randomness and accident. I can't wait to see people’s reactions."

In January 2024, ZEAL & ARDOR released Play With The Devil, a documentary film by Olivier Joliat and Matthias Willi. The documentary intimately chronicles Manuel Gagneux's journey from the inception of ZEAL & ARDOR through initial tours and a soul-searching period of crisis. The bold mix of Black Metal with old work songs and field hollers by the enslaved — his answer to a racist provocation on the internet — is politically explosive. As a person of color in metal, Gagneux and his music have shone a light on religion, racism, segregation, and cultural appropriation.  However, the sudden surge in acclaim and the weight of being hailed a visionary leader by fans threatened to overwhelm the softly-spoken, introverted artist. Play With The Devil is available now for streaming on major platforms. For more information and to watch, visit here.

Zeal & Ardor Announce Fall 2024 Tour + Share "Hide In Shade" Visualizer

ZEAL & ARDOR isn't just a band; it's a living and breathing entity. Like any sentient being, it consumes, evolves, and transforms from one season to the next. It has only sharpened its claws, lengthened its teeth, and steeled its nerves over the years, growing more undeniable and unpredictable in the process.

The band will drop its fourth album, the self-produced GREIF, on August 23. Pre-order it here.

Zeal & Ardor are beyond pleased to announce their return to North American soil with a headline tour that kicks off November 23 in Philadelphia and runs through December 18 in Dallas. Gaerea and Zetra will support. Tickets are on sale now. Get tickets here.  All dates are posted below.

"We can finally share our U.S. dates later this year," says Z&A. "We're excited to play the new world again, moreover we have an incredible group of artists along with us. We can't wait to see you there."

Zeal & Ardor have also shared their newest single "Hide In Shade." Watch the visualizer and listen below.

With its layered vocal harmonies, handclaps, metallic, roar, and an overall fire in its belly, "Hide In Shade" represent everything fans love about the band.

"We would be remiss if we didn't share something closer to what we are known for," the band states. "This is that. Where the sun shows all we hide in shade. Stay strange."

ZEAL & ARDOR ON TOUR:
WITH GAEREA + ZETRA:
11/23 — Philadelphia, PA — Union Transfer
11/24 — New York, NY — Le Poisson Rouge
11/25 — Allston, MA — Brighton Music Hall
11/27 — Montreal, QC — Le Studio TD
11/28 — Toronto, ON — Opera House
11/29 — Detroit, MI — The Majestic
11/30 — Millvale, PA — Mr. Smalls Theatre
12/2nd — Indianapolis, IN — The Vogue
12/3 — Chicago, IL — Thalia Hall
12/4 — Minneapolis, MN — Varsity Theater
12/6 — Englewood, CO — Gothic Theatre
12/7 — Salt Lake City, UT — Urban Lounge
12/9 — Seattle, WA — The Showbox
12/10 — Vancouver, BC — Rickshaw Theatre
12/11 — Portland, OR — Wonder Ballroom
12/13 — Berkeley, CA — UC Theatre
12/14 — Santa Ana, CA — The Observatory
12/15 — Phoeniz, AZ — Crescent Ballroom
12/17 — Austin, TX — Mohawk
12/18 — Dallas, TX — Studio at The Factory

Rather than stagnating, basking in global acclaim garnered from three previous albums — Devil Is Fine [2017], Stranger Fruit [2018] and Zeal & Ardor [2022] — Manuel opted to shake things up for GREIF.

Instead of creatively flying solo again, this time he welcomed his bandmates into the studio, featuring three voices for the first time and emboldening the sound from every angle. As such, the musicians — Tiziano Volante [guitar], Marc Obrist [vocals], Denis Wagner [vocals], Lukas Kurmann [bass], and Marco Von Allmen [drums] — spread their wings alongside him. Decamping to Obrist's studio Hutch Sounds in Switzerland, the record came to life in just five months.

"We've really evolved into a tight-knit unit," explains Obrist. "Before Zeal & Ardor, we were basically strangers, but we're like a little family now. Each member brings his own unique flavor to the mix, and we all try to make Manuel's songs better in our own way. The most interesting part for me was the new approach of how we work together in the studio."

"I wanted to expand upon what we had and introduce new colors," Manuel continues. "There are angry and accusatory moments, but there’s also some solace and happiness. I’m widening the palette of colors we have to paint with. These are avenues we haven’t tried."

"We invite listeners to hear the full spectrum of the different sides and sounds that make Zeal & Ardor," Tiziano leaves off. "There are some gorgeous moments, but it packs in a lot of intensity and charm. In Manuel's songwriting and the process with every member, there's a certain intentionality as well as an element of randomness and accident. I can't wait to see people’s reactions."

In January 2024, ZEAL & ARDOR released Play With The Devil, a documentary film by Olivier Joliat and Matthias Willi. The documentary intimately chronicles Manuel Gagneux's journey from the inception of ZEAL & ARDOR through initial tours and a soul-searching period of crisis. The bold mix of Black Metal with old work songs and field hollers by the enslaved — his answer to a racist provocation on the internet — is politically explosive. As a person of color in metal, Gagneux and his music have shone a light on religion, racism, segregation, and cultural appropriation.  However, the sudden surge in acclaim and the weight of being hailed a visionary leader by fans threatened to overwhelm the softly-spoken, introverted artist. Play With The Devil is available now for streaming on major platforms. For more information and to watch, visit here.

Zeal & Ardor Share Visualizer For "Fend You Off" — WATCH

ZEAL & ARDOR isn't just a band; it's a living and breathing entity.

Like any sentient being, it consumes, evolves, and transforms from one season to the next. It has only sharpened its claws, lengthened its teeth, and steeled its nerves over the years, growing more undeniable and unpredictable in the process.

The band will drop its fourth album, the self-produced GREIF, on August 23. Pre-order it here.

Today, the band has shared the visualizer for the album's third single "Fend You Off."

Watch and listen below.

"Another color joins the tapestry with 'Fend You Off," says band leader Manuel Gagneux. "By now, it might be apparent that we're sharing new sides of ours. This is us at our core honest and vulnerable. We hope you like it. Stay strange."

Rather than stagnating, basking in global acclaim garnered from three previous albums — Devil Is Fine [2017], Stranger Fruit [2018] and Zeal & Ardor [2022] — Manuel opted to shake things up for GREIF.

Instead of creatively flying solo again, this time he welcomed his bandmates into the studio, featuring three voices for the first time and emboldening the sound from every angle. As such, the musicians — Tiziano Volante [guitar], Marc Obrist [vocals], Denis Wagner [vocals], Lukas Kurmann [bass], and Marco Von Allmen [drums] — spread their wings alongside him. Decamping to Obrist's studio Hutch Sounds in Switzerland, the record came to life in just five months.

"We've really evolved into a tight-knit unit," explains Obrist. "Before Zeal & Ardor, we were basically strangers, but we're like a little family now. Each member brings his own unique flavor to the mix, and we all try to make Manuel's songs better in our own way. The most interesting part for me was the new approach of how we work together in the studio."

"I wanted to expand upon what we had and introduce new colors," Manuel continues. "There are angry and accusatory moments, but there’s also some solace and happiness. I’m widening the palette of colors we have to paint with. These are avenues we haven’t tried."

"We invite listeners to hear the full spectrum of the different sides and sounds that make Zeal & Ardor," Tiziano leaves off. "There are some gorgeous moments, but it packs in a lot of intensity and charm. In Manuel's songwriting and the process with every member, there's a certain intentionality as well as an element of randomness and accident. I can't wait to see people’s reactions."

In January 2024, ZEAL & ARDOR released Play With The Devil, a documentary film by Olivier Joliat and Matthias Willi. The documentary intimately chronicles Manuel Gagneux's journey from the inception of ZEAL & ARDOR through initial tours and a soul-searching period of crisis. The bold mix of Black Metal with old work songs and field hollers by the enslaved — his answer to a racist provocation on the internet — is politically explosive. As a person of color in metal, Gagneux and his music have shone a light on religion, racism, segregation, and cultural appropriation.  However, the sudden surge in acclaim and the weight of being hailed a visionary leader by fans threatened to overwhelm the softly-spoken, introverted artist. Play With The Devil is available now for streaming on major platforms. For more information and to watch, visit here.

Zeal & Ardor Share Visualizer For New Single "Clawing Out"

BAND WINS PRESTIGIOUS SWISS MUSIC PRIZE

NEW ALBUM GREIF SET FOR RELEASE ON AUGUST 23

ZEAL & ARDOR isn't just a band; it's a living and breathing entity.

Like any other sentient being, it consumes, evolves, and transforms from one season to the next. It has only sharpened its claws, lengthened its teeth, and steeled its nerves over the years, growing more undeniable and unpredictable in the process.

After delivering gentle, harmonious new song "to my ilk" on the announcement of their astonishing, forthcoming new album GREIF last month, today the Swiss iconoclasts delight in flipping the table over delivering snarling, staccato new single "Clawing out."

Ringleader Manuel Gagneux proclaims, "We like to surprise people. So, of course, after releasing our softest song to date with 'to my ilk,' we want to create some whiplash with 'Clawing out!' Not satisfied with a mere heavy riffed song, we elected to borrow some elements from other musical styles to further the impact. Revel with us in righteous violence — justificatum malum factum."

Watch a visualizer for the track Below.

Get the track here.

This week, ZEAL & ARDOR were also honored to win a coveted, prestigious Swiss Music Prize, the highest national recognition in the field of music in Switzerland, at the award's 11th edition. Designed to reward outstanding and innovative Swiss musical creation and bringing it into the limelight, candidates are selected from all regions of Switzerland across all musical disciplines.

Manuel divulges, "It's rare that we get a prize that holds such esteem as this one does. Not just due to it being a national one, but because of the staggeringly talented alumni we have the privilege of calling our peers. It feels immensely validating and flattering. Sincerely: Thank you."

After gathering tens of millions of streams and earning widespread critical acclaim, ZEAL & ARDOR prove as dynamic and dangerous as ever on fourth full-length, self-produced album, GREIF, set for release on August 23.

Rather than stagnating, basking in global acclaim garnered from three previous albums — Devil Is Fine [2017], Stranger Fruit [2018] and Zeal & Ardor [2022] — Manuel opted to shake things up for GREIF. Instead of creatively flying solo again, this time he welcomed his bandmates into the studio, featuring three voices for the first time and emboldening the sound from every angle. As such, the musicians — Tiziano Volante [guitar], Marc Obrist [vocals], Denis Wagner [vocals], Lukas Kurmann [bass], and Marco Von Allmen [drums] — spread their wings alongside him. Decamping to Marc's studio Hutch Sounds in Switzerland, the record came to life in just five months.

"We've really evolved into a tight-knit unit," explains Marc. "Before Zeal & Ardor, we were basically strangers, but we're like a little family now. Each member brings his own unique flavor to the mix, and we all try to make Manuel’s songs better in our own way. The most interesting part for me was the new approach of how we work together in the studio."

"I wanted to expand upon what we had and introduce new colors," Manuel continues. "There are angry and accusatory moments, but there’s also some solace and happiness. I’m widening the palette of colors we have to paint with. These are avenues we haven’t tried."

GREIF is available to pre-order now on CD, transparent vinyl, and digitally.

"We invite listeners to hear the full spectrum of the different sides and sounds that make Zeal & Ardor," Tiziano leaves off. "There are some gorgeous moments, but it packs in a lot of intensity and charm. In Manuel's songwriting and the process with every member, there's a certain intentionality as well as an element of randomness and accident. I can't wait to see people’s reactions."

In January 2024, ZEAL & ARDOR released Play With The Devil, a documentary film by Olivier Joliat and Matthias Willi. The documentary intimately chronicles Manuel Gagneux's journey from the inception of ZEAL & ARDOR through initial tours and a soul-searching period of crisis. The bold mix of Black Metal with old work songs and field hollers by the enslaved — his answer to a racist provocation on the internet — is politically explosive. As a person of color in metal, Gagneux and his music have shone a light on religion, racism, segregation, and cultural appropriation.  However, the sudden surge in acclaim and the weight of being hailed a visionary leader by fans threatened to overwhelm the softly-spoken, introverted artist. Play With The Devil is available now for streaming on major platforms. For more information and to watch, visit here.

Zeal & Ardor Announce New Album "GREIF" + Share New Track "to my ilk"

Inventive and iconoclastic, ZEAL & ARDOR isn't just a band; it's a living and breathing entity.

Like any other sentient being, it consumes, evolves, and transforms from one season to the next. Its shape may change though its spirit remains the same. Founded and fronted by Manuel Gagneux, it has only sharpened its claws, lengthened its teeth, and steeled its nerves over the years, growing more undeniable and unpredictable in the process.

 After gathering tens of millions of streams and earning widespread critical acclaim, this beast proves as dynamic and dangerous as ever on its fourth full-length, self-produced album, GREIF, set for release on August 23.

The title, GREIF, is inspired by an annual tradition in Gagneux's hometown of Basel, Switzerland. A mythical hybrid creature parades through the streets for the children in symbolism of Basel's working people balking at the oppressive elite on its other side. Given the animal's amalgam of energies and physicality, the name proved apropos.

"The GREIF is a lion, a snake, and a bird," he notes. "During the parade, he turns his backside to the aristocrats and sticks it to the man. It reflects where we are."

At the beginning of this next chapter, the evocative group have chosen to first showcase the album's conclusion, sharing its plaintive and poetic final track, "to my ilk." Loose blues guitar snakes around strong claps as Manuel's voice echoes through a choir. "It has another level of emotion, and it came out just the way I imagined," he remarks.

 Watch a visualiser for the track below. Listen here.

Gagneux had the option to rest on his laurels, basking in the global acclaim garnered from three previous albums: Devil Is Fine [2017], Stranger Fruit [2018], and Zeal & Ardor [2022] — praised by NPR, Stereogum, Revolver, AV Club, Paste, Brooklyn Vegan, Alternative Press, Kerrang!, Metal Hammer, Metro, The Guardian, and many others. But rather than stagnating, Manuel opted to shake things up for GREIF. Instead of creatively flying solo again, this time he welcomed his bandmates into the studio. As such, the musicians — Tiziano Volante [guitar], Marc Obrist [vocals], Denis Wagner [vocals], Lukas Kurmann [bass], and Marco Von Allmen [drums] — spread their wings alongside him.

"We've really evolved into a tight-knit unit," adds Marc. "Before Zeal & Ardor, we were basically strangers, but we're like a little family now. Each member brings his own unique flavor to the mix, and we all try to make Manuel's songs better in our own way. The most interesting part for me was the new approach of how we work together in the studio."

 Decamping to Marc's studio Hutch Sounds in Switzerland, the record came to life in just five months. The frontman excitedly leveraged the talents of his cohorts, featuring three voices for the first time and emboldening the sound from every angle.

 "I wanted to expand upon what we had and introduce new colors," Manuel goes on. "There are angry and accusatory moments, but there’s also some solace and happiness. I'm widening the palette of colors we have to paint with. These are avenues we haven't tried."

GREIF will be available on CD, transparent vinyl, and digitally. Pre-orders begin on Friday, April 26 here.

"We invite listeners to hear the full spectrum of the different sides and sounds that make Zeal & Ardor," Tiziano leaves off. "There are some gorgeous moments, but it packs in a lot of intensity and charm. In Manuel's songwriting and the process with every member, there’s a certain intentionality as well as an element of randomness and accident. I can't wait to see people’s reactions."

In January 2024, ZEAL & ARDOR released Play With The Devil, a documentary film by Olivier Joliat and Matthias Willi. The documentary intimately chronicles Manuel Gagneux's journey from the inception of ZEAL & ARDOR through initial tours and a soul-searching period of crisis. The bold mix of Black Metal with old work songs and field hollers by the enslaved — his answer to a racist provocation on the internet — is politically explosive. As a person of color in metal, Gagneux and his music have shone a light on religion, racism, segregation, and cultural appropriation.  However, the sudden surge in acclaim and the weight of being hailed a visionary leader by fans threatened to overwhelm the softly-spoken, introverted artist. Play With The Devil is available now for streaming on major platforms. For more information and to watch, visit here.