Zeal & Ardor

Swiss-American musician Manuel Gagneux funnels the spells of black metal into howls of Tom Waits-esque juke joint blues. Suffice to say, results are nothing short of spectacular. Debut album ‘Devil Is Fine’ offers a dazzling array of elements somehow working in cohesion, be it hallowed chants, jackhammering blast beats, power electronics or Reichian minimal music. Live, Zeal & Ardor becomes a whole other beast: arcane and overpowering, yet beautiful in all its contrasts.