Artist: Zao Album: The Funeral of God Label: Ferret Records Rating: 8 out of 10

Perhaps no band has broken up more times than Zao, but here they are again with an epic new concept album, the ominously-titled The Funeral of God. Over the last decade, Zao has come to be one of the most respected and influential bands in the metal scene, but their revolving-door lineup has garnered nearly as much attention as their music. And - no surprise - there has been quite a bit of turnover since their last studio effort, 2002's Parade of Chaos. Technically, there are no founding members in the band at this point, with drummer/songwriter Jesse Smith finally moving on last year. However, at the forefront of this lineup are three of the members who steered the band from its hardcore beginnings toward the metalcore glory days of records like Liberate Te Ex Inferis. And the twin attack of axemen Scott Mellinger and Russ Cogdell is as powerful as ever. Just listen to "The Last Song from Zion," which features a very-cool harmonized guitar part and one of the most brutal breakdowns Zao have ever put to tape, aided by the punishing assault of drummer Stephen Peck. Throw in a super-deep, rolling bass line from new addition Shawn Koschik and you've got a classic track. But it wouldn't be Zao without frontman Daniel Weyandt, and thankfully, his trademark growls are firmly in place on Funeral tracks like "The Last Revelation (The Last Prophecy)," which finds him roaring over double-time metalcore reminiscent of fan favorite Liberate. But the chorus, on which Weyandt's vocals are mixed with passionate backing vox from Mellinger, offers a stronger hook than anything Zao turned out in their early days. In fact, practically every song on Funeral offers a memorable chorus. On standout songs like "The Rising End" and "Truly, Truly This is the End," it seems that this lineup has learned from the strong melodic emphasis of Parade, but married them with the heaviness of their mid-period style. In doing so, Zao have come up with the strongest collection of songs since their 2000 self-titled effort, if not ever. But this is a concept album, and on concept albums, the lyrics are nearly as important as the music. So how do Funeral's stack up? Broken up into chapters, this album's 11 songs tell a clear, cohesive story, detailing God's decision to "die," and the calamity that befalls mankind in the aftermath. "I am laying down to go to sleep forever," Weyandt sings on "The Last Song of Zion." "I do not hide my face in shame at all./ I do not cower before your blade./ This is what your black hearts pray." With the story set up, the frontman is then free to delve into the darker imagery he often favors. And there's not much scarier than hearing Weyandt roar "We praise you war machine,/ You've come to set us free,/ Run us through your jaws,/ Carry us off in your claws./ 666," on "Praise the War Machine," a brutal rocker that should become a staple in Zao set lists. The dark tale comes to an open-ended conclusion on Funeral's final two tracks, which are also its most experimental. The brief instrumental "I Lay Sleeping in My Grave" makes an impression in just one-and-a-half minutes with its dark electric arpeggios and marching drums, but it's the eight-minute closer, "Psalm of the City of the Dead," that finds Zao pushing the boundaries of their sound the farthest. Like an orchestral suite, "Psalm" is broken up into movements. First there is a subtle, repetitive bass line, stop-start guitars and soaring vocals courtesy of Mellinger; then a more-subdued section composed solely of picked guitars and beautiful choral female vocals; and finally, the full band comes back in to support the dramatic, classically-styled keyboard runs that close the track. It's all driven home with lyrics that don't offer a conclusive ending to Funeral's story, but at least offer the slightest glimmer of hope for the world's future: "As we wait here for a sign,/ We are greeted by the end of time./ These streets aren't paved with gold./ You are my everything./ My soul is growing cold." With The Funeral of God, Zao have created what will likely be the year's best metal album, and certainly stands as a true masterpiece in their already-impressive catalog. Hopefully they can keep this lineup together for a few years, because there are no doubt still great things in store for Zao. - Todd Thatcher