Zero Theorem - Ataraxis (Shim Sham, LLC)
Nowadays in music everyone seems to be constantly looking
for the next big thing – the new Disturbed, the next Five Finger Death Punch,
the next FLAW – and often times the band tabbed with that label fails to live
up to expectations. Things are different with Zero Theorem. Now, I’m not saying
that these guys are the ‘next anything,’ but it’s clear from their debut EP Ataraxis that they have the goods to be
‘next something,’ and a major player in the future of modern metal.
Led by a powerful vocal battery from frontman Caesar,
whose passion and breadth of ability is audibly woven into each and every bar, Ataraxis is a clinic in fresh faced
modern metal. Producer Kane Churko’s (Papa Roach, Five Finger Death Punch, In
This Moment) imprint can be felt up and down these six tracks – “Euthanize” is
a strong opener that would sound just as electric being belted out from the
stage of a small club or a massive amphitheater, lead single “Area” has a future
at rock radio thanks to a true earworm hook, album standout “Becoming” is about
as FFDP as Ataraxis gets with driving,
bombastic grooves, “Rorschach” puts the metal in modern metal with screaming
exhortations, stomping riffs and booming cymbal crashes and the title track
shows Zero Theorem can exist just as coherently in a slower paced setting,
sounding like something that would close out most metal albums. On closer
“Low,” the band transforms into Fozzy with Cesar playing the role of the
venerable Chris Jericho, going from commanding refrains to snarling accents
amidst churning guitars and big hooks.
You’d be hard press to find a better way to spend 20
minutes today than with Zero Theorem’s Ataraxis.
While it’s only half a dozen tracks, the problem is once you listen to Ataraxis, you’re going to want to listen
again and again. And then again and again.
Go Download: “Becoming”
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