Liberate Te Ex Inferis is the fourth studio album by American metalcore band Zao. It is considered by many to be their most experimental and darkest album. It was released on Solid State/Tooth & Nail. With the album came the addition of bassist Rob Horner. Liberate is the first Zao album to feature Scott Mellinger, who replaced Brett Detar after his decision to pursue The Juliana Theory full-time.
| Liberate Te Ex Inferis | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | August 10, 1999 | |||
| Recorded | 1998–1999 | |||
| Studio | Poynter Studios (North Little Rock, Arkansas) | |||
| Genre | Metalcore | |||
| Length | 40:13 | |||
| Label | Solid State/Tooth & Nail | |||
| Producer | Barry Poynter | |||
| Zao studio album chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| HM | (not rated)[1] |
| Exit Zine |  [2] |
| Jesus Freak Hideout |  [3] |
Drummer Jesse Smith has stated that Liberate is his favorite Zao album. The staff of Ferret Music also favor this record.[citation needed]
Both drummer Jesse Smith and vocalist Daniel Weyandt have stated during interviews that the music of post-metal band Neurosis had a heavy influence on this album's overall sound.
The album received the vinyl treatment in May 2011 from Broken Circles Records. The album features new cover art, designed by Brent Lakes. It was re-issued on vinyl again in 2022 by Solid State, featuring all new artwork by Dave Rankin, who had previously done the artwork for Where Blood and Fire Bring Rest.
Content
editThe theme of the album art is based on Dante's inferno, as the songs are grouped in pairs named after the rings in hell.[4] Because of this arrangement, the album is often mistakenly labeled as a concept album. The band members themselves, however, had nothing to do with the idea and very little input on the artwork and layout.[5]
The album contains several samples from the science fiction horror movie Event Horizon. The title of the album is also a quote from Event Horizon.[6]
Track listing
editAll lyrics are written by Daniel Weyandt; all music is composed by Zao
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Intro" | 3:38 |
| 2. | "Savannah" | 2:46 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 3. | "Autopsy" | 2:12 |
| 4. | "If These Scars Could Speak" | 4:43 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 5. | "The Ghost Psalm" | 5:42 |
| 6. | "Desire the End" | 4:58 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 7. | "Dark Cold Sound" | 3:10 |
| 8. | "Skin Like Winter" | 2:23 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 9. | "Kathleen Barbra" | 3:35 |
| 10. | "Man in Cage Jack Wilson" | 7:00 |
| Total length: | 40:13 | |
Personnel
editZao
- Daniel Weyandt – vocals
- Scott Mellinger – guitar
- Russ Cogdell – guitar
- Jesse Smith – drums
- Rob Horner – bass
Production
- Brandon Ebel - Executive Producer
- Bernie Grundman - Mastering
- David Johnson - Photography
- Jason Parker - Artwork, Graphic Conception, Graphic Design
- Barry Poynter - Producer
References
edit- ^ Bixler, David (September–October 1999). "Album Reviews: Zao liberate te ex inferis". HM Magazine (79). ISSN 1066-6923. Archived from the original on March 5, 2001.
- ^ Exit Zine review
- ^ Keel, Fred (June 15, 2008). "Zao, "Liberate Te Ex Inferis"". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
- ^ Liberate Te Ex Inferis at AllMusic
- ^ Interview with Dan Weyandt (2001) Archived September 27, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, Bandoppler. Retrieved July 22, 2007
- ^ "Event Horizon - Quotes". IMDb.