By Rodrigo Ricardo @hhdrums
Mexico has always been characterized by presenting very interesting musical proposals in terms of Alternative Rock (at least, that's how it seems to me), because their indigenous roots prevent the sounds from being purely American (with exceptions like El Tri).
However, the latest EP from the band Zazel reached my pure and chaste ears, who describe themselves as playing “Rock n' Fucking Roll’. This band from Mexico City, whose name refers to the first human bullet, was formed in 2013 by Daniel Lazo (Vocals); Héctor NM (Drums), Mario AE (Guitar) and Alex Pérez (Bass) and mention System of a Down, Velvet Revolver and Rage Against The Machine as their main influences.
Okay, getting down to business…
First of all, it must be said that these guys play well and they play hard. The guitar riffs, the distorted bass, the thunderous drums, and the vocal melodies... They transmit an energy that hits like a hammer with the first tunes that sound in this work, A conceptual EP in which each song deals with a different character: the "Partygoer," the "Lover," the "Sorcerer," and the "Apostate." And, it must be said, in each track you can feel, in the atmosphere they create, a state of mind: euphoria in The Partygoer; melancholy in The Lover; discomfort in The Wizard; and rage in The Apostate.
Secondly, I think they fell short regarding the influences that Zazel's friends claim to have. I dare say that one can detect industrial elements (which fits with the band's steampunk image) and alternative metal influences., that imprint a brutality characteristic of these genres on their sound.
Overall, I can say I liked the work. In some parts of the songs, the instruments slightly drown out the lead vocals, making it difficult to understand the lyrics, but it doesn't stop you from enjoying what you hear. But don't let my perception put you off Zazel. Rather, Turn your speakers up to the highest possible volume And get ready for this cannonball to roll right over you with its hard, hard, “ROCK N' FUCKING ROLL’.