Zeal & Ardor Release New Single, “Wake of a Nation”

Black metal-meets-slave chant act Zeal & Ardor have released “Wake of a Nation,” the title track from their forthcoming EP, following the unveiling of two new songs last month.

Band leader Manuel Gagneux previously commented of the EP:

“Frederik Pohl once said:

“‘It is and remains my conviction that a story has to speak for itself, and that any words a writer adds to it after he has finished telling it are a cop-out, a lie or a mistake.’

“While I agree I feel pressed to make an exception for this EP. ‘Wake Of A Nation”s intent and context should be obvious. I like to revel in ambiguity and in room for interpretation. This is not the case here. These 6 songs are a knee jerk reaction to what has happened to my fellow people in the last months.

“Originally I was set to record an album scheduled to come out next year. As these songs were written due to the horrendous events that instilled them I decided to release them as soon as possible. Using the rich heritage and culture as a part of my musical identity it felt like cowardice to sit by and continue with my routine as if nothing happened.

“This record is for Michael Brown, Eric Garner, George Floyd and the countless untold and nameless killed.

“It is for the brave souls willing to take a stand and ready to risk their own wellbeing so that others may have theirs intact.

“All revenues from sales and streaming of [previous single] ‘I Can’t Breathe‘ will be donated.”

Wake of a Nation comes out on October 23.