Zao is a Christian metalcore band with hardcore punk influences. They came onto the scene in 1996. Originally formed in Ohio and West Virginia, Zao pioneered the Christian metalcore genre (along with fellow contemporaries Living Sacrifice). The word "zao" is Greek for "I live".

Band members

Current members

Daniel Weyandt - vocals and bass - (1997-)

Russ Cogdell - guitar - (1997-)

Scott Mellinger - guitar - (1999-)

Marty Lunn - bass - (2005-)

Stephen Peck - drums - (2004-)

Former members

Shawn Koschik - bass - (2004)-(2005)

Joshua Ashworth - vocals (2003)-(2004)

Cory Darst - vocals - (2001-2002)

Shawn Jonas - vocals - (1996-1997)

Roy Goudy - guitar - (1996-1997)

Rob Horner - bass - (1999-2000)

Brett Detar - guitar - (1998)

Mic Cox - bass - (1996-1997)

Jesse Smith - drums - (1996-2004)

Discography

The Ties That Bind (split with Outcast) - (1995)

All Else Failed - (1996)

The Splinter Shards the Birth of Separation - (1997)

Where Blood And Fire Bring Rest - (1998)

Training for Utopia & Zao Split EP - (1998)

Liberate Te Ex Inferis - (1999)

(Self Titled) - (2000) (real title was (Self-Titled); not an eponymous release)

Parade of Chaos - (2002)

All Else Failed - (2003)

The Funeral Of God - (2004)

Legendary (best-of) - (2004)

Side Projects & Other Bands

The following is a list of other bands in which Zao members have been involved, and the Zao members who were involved with them (possibly incomplete). Most of these bands were short-lived, so little is known about them, apart from the fact that at least one Zao member played in each.

Creation is Crucifixion (Mellinger)

Entrust (Darst)

Eyes Upon Separation (Jonas)

Gods (Smith)

Grand National Hustler (Weyandt)

Into The Looking Glass

Jade Meridian (Cogdell, Mellinger, Koschik, Peck) - melodic hard rock band founded in 1998; still active. Has performed with Zao at Cornerstone Festivals, but has not released any full-length albums.

Los Capitanos (Cogdell, Weyandt, Peck) - became States of Melba

Nodar (Koschik, Cogdell) - recorded two songs; both are available at their site

Pensive (Detar)

Pop Weaver (Koschik)

Seasons In The Field (Weyandt, Cogdell, Peck) - recorded a split with Pensive

Society's Finest (Ashworth)

States of Melba (Cogdell, Peck) - still active as of 2005; official website indicates they have released a demo

Symphony in Peril (Jonas)

The American Spectator (Smith) - two-drummer project; also featured the Clark brothers from Demon Hunter and Sean Ingram and James Dewees of Coalesce, but never released any material.

The Juliana Theory (Detar)

The Underwater (Smith) - started after Smith left Zao

They That Kill Their Masters (Weyandt) - grindcore project active during the time in which Weyandt was briefly not in Zao

Through the Eyes of Katelyn (Smith) - recorded one album for Takehold Records

External links

Zao Official Homepage

Ferret Records: Zao