» Edit Band Information
» Edit Albums
» Add a Review
» Add an Album
» Add News | Training for Utopia/Zao
Training for Utopia (TFU) was a metalcore and industrial metal band which existed from 1996–2000. They drew comparisons to
bands such as Meshuggah due to their use of odd time signatures and poly-rythms. The band first signed with Tooth & Nail
Records and was later moved to Solid State Records, the Tooth & Nail metal imprint. Training for Utopia subsequently became
popular in the metal scene during its active years.
Their brief existence included a tour with Zao and Spitfire. It was during this time that the band hired Carlos Colon for their
1998 tour providing synthesizers to th ...read more
Training for Utopia (TFU) was a metalcore and industrial metal band which existed from 1996–2000. They drew comparisons to
bands such as Meshuggah due to their use of odd time signatures and poly-rythms. The band first signed with Tooth & Nail
Records and was later moved to Solid State Records, the Tooth & Nail metal imprint. Training for Utopia subsequently became
popular in the metal scene during its active years.
Their brief existence included a tour with Zao and Spitfire. It was during this time that the band hired Carlos Colon for their
1998 tour providing synthesizers to their live show. The result was a chaotic and loud sonic assault that stretched across the
United States and back. Immediately following the tour Carlos left the band to pursue other aspirations. After a temporary
hiatus the band returned with their second full length “Throwing a Wrench into the American Music Machine”. After a small tour
of the material the band disbanded.
At the demise of Training for Utopia, members Ryan and Don Clark announced that they were starting a new project called
The American Spectator which never was realized. Don and Ryan Clark started “Asterik Studio” in Seattle, a graphic design
shop where they completed many projects, including album artwork for former label-mates. In 2002, they founded the metal
band Demon Hunter.
Zao (pronounced /ˈzeɪ.oʊ/) is a band from Greensburg, Pennsylvania and are considered one of the founding metalcore groups.
However they began in 1993 in Parkersburg, West Virginia, playing a style of Hardcore similar to bands such as Earth Crisis
and Snapcase. Zao has hosted several musicians and endured numerous roster changes to the point where no original
members remain, often marked by the departure and readmission of multiple members. The band’s catalog is often divided
into two distinct eras, marked by a drastic shift in members that led to an equally drastic shift in sound. Most noticeably of
these changes was the shift from vocalist Shaun Jonas who later formed Symphony in Peril to current front-man Dan Weyandt.
Throughout the years, Zao has hosted many notable musicians such as guitarist Brett Detar of The Juliana Theory fame and
current drummer Jeff Gretz who briefly played for From Autumn To Ashes. In the eyes of many fans, the “core” of Zao’s sound
was best exemplified by drummer Jesse Smith, guitarists Russ Cogdell and Scott Mellinger(formerly of Creation Is Crucifixion),
and vocalist Dan Weyandt. The current lineup is comprised of Russ, Scott, Dan, Jeff, and bass player and long time friend of
the band, Martin Lunn. To date, Zao has completed ten full-length albums, three EPs, a two-disc DVD documentary and
multiple concert tours, garnering a limited but global fanbase and earning critical praise in the process « hide |
Similar Bands: Zao, Demon Hunter, Training for Utopia, Spitfire, Snapcase Contributors: elliootsmeuth, Mort., Mort.,
|
