Well, since I'm running out of names for ZAO threads, I'm just going to create a megathread here and update it as I go along. Since ZAO has had a horrible history with member changes, here's the current lineup for the new album: Vocals: Dan Weyandt Guitar and Vocals: Scott Mellinger Guitar: Russ Cogdell Bass: Marty Lunn Drums: Jeff Gretz Release Date: May 30th Length: 11 tracks, about 37 minutes Album Status: Mixing concludes in January The album is being recorded by Steve Albini, and is being produced by the band. It's being described as ZAO's punk record, with the engery of songs like A Fall Farewell and Autopsy. The tonalities are described to be like Romance of the Southern Spirit (Japanese Funeral of God bonus track), and according to Jeff, that album has At Zero moments, and blast beats. As for extras, the Japanese and European releases are getting (tentatively titled) Return to the City of the Dead and a cover. Whether it is the Black Flag cover that's being released in March or not is unknown. The North American pressing of the disc is getting something better. Sources: zaoonline.com, bleedzao.com, Jeff Gretz via the Bleed ZAO forums.
Not album related, but the original ZAO line-up (Shawn Jonas, Roy Goudy, Mic Cox, and Jesse Smith) will be making a special appearance as the current ZAO opens up for In Flames, Trivium, and Devildriver in Columbus, Ohio show at the Newport Music Hall on February 11th, 2006.
Straight from the horse's mouth (aka Jeff) And here are the dates that ZAO will be on for the upcoming tour with Trivium, Devildriver, and In Flames (unless otherwise noted): January 25, 2006 - Tempe, AZ - Marquee Theatre January 26, 2006 - Las Vegas, NV - House of Blues January 27, 2006 - San Diego, CA - Soma January 28, 2006 - Los Angeles, CA - Wiltern LG January 29, 2006 - San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore January 30, 2006 - Portland, OR - Roseland Theatre January 31, 2006 - Vancouver, BC - Croatian Cultural Centre February 01, 2006 - Seattle, WA - Showbox February 02, 2006 - Boise, ID - The Venue (Headlining Show w/ The Thief of Always, Fighting Bears By Hand, Amanturi) February 03, 2006 - Salt Lake City, UT - Salt Air Pavilion February 04, 2006 - Denver, CO - Gothic Theatre February 05, 2006 - (ZAO WATCHES THE STEELERS IN THE SUPERBOWL) February 06, 2006 - Austin, TX - The Back Room February 07, 2006 - Houston, TX - Meridian February 08, 2006 - Little Rock, AR - Vino's (w/ Throwdown, The Red Chord, Still Remains and A Dozen Furies) February 09, 2006 - Nashville, TN - Rocketown February 10, 2006 - Detroit, MI - Harpo´s February 11, 2006 - Columbus, OH - Newport February 12, 2006 - Chicago, IL - House Of Blues February 14, 2006 - Albany, NY - Saratoga Winners February 15, 2006 - New York, NY - Webster Hall Februaru 16, 2006 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club February 17, 2006 - Philadelphia, PA - TLA February 18, 2006 - Worcester, MA - The Palladium February 19, 2006 - Montreal, QC - Le Medley February 20, 2006 - Quebec City, QC -Theatre Capitole February 21, 2006 - Toronto, ONT - Kool Haus February 22, 2006 - Rochester, NY - Water St. Music Hall February 23, 2006 - Norfolk, VA - Norva February 24, 2006 - Charlotte, NC - Tremont Music Hall February 25, 2006 - Atlanta, GA - Roxy February 26, 2006 - Orlando, FL - House Of Blues Source: bleedzao.com / Jeff Gretz