SHIP ON FIRE review - Black black metal

(Reviewed by Melody Werner)

Ship on Fire is a negro spiritual inspired black metal track from Swiss band Zeal & Ardor's 2018 album, Stranger Fruit. Released by MVKA Records, Z&A was initially a solo project by the band's frontman, Manuel Gagneux--who got the idea for the band from the predictably racist 4chan (no, really). Which is kinda hilarious, considering the band is pretty left ("A-C-A-B, let a brother daydream / Pigs in the street, like pigs in heat / 'Bout the police (Fuck 'em)"). The story Z&A bases its music on is "What if the slaves coming to America turned to Satan instead of Jesus?" No, really. And it kicks ass.

The instrumentals on Ship on Fire are just excellent. If you're into rock music as much as I am, you're gonna dig the fuck outta these. You also get these Latin verses that are nicely executed and add to the storytelling intuitively. But what truly sticks out to me are Gagneux's vocals, which are incredibly raw and powerful. His voice is just so imposing and perfect for what they're going for here. The lyrics (also written by Manuel) are rad and suit the theme brilliantly. It all coalesces into a badass, ominous, and brutal listening experience I find myself addicted to.

Ship on Fire rocks. Rock music's popularity may be waning in the mainstream, but with bands like Zeal & Ardor, Ghost, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, Johnny Manchild & the Poor Bastards, and Polyphia putting out such creative and great work, I am content with that. Ship on Fire gets a 5/5.

Fantastic

Summary:

A kickass blues-ish metal track. Hell to the yeah.