ZU

I guess ZU make it even harder to categorise their sound than Dälek – also on IPECAC records – do. Being silhouetted from the classical rock outfit, Zu is a trio consisting of a drummer, a bass player and a saxophonist. The free-jazz madness these three Italians make reminds me of the Dillinger Escape Plan – which is not that surprising if you remember band buddy and publisher Mike Patton sings one EP for the band – or of fellow Italian jazz-metal band Ephel Duath (especially because of the saxophone), but lacking the hectic spirit of both of those. Zu are danceable and funky in their own strange way. “Carboniferous” is less hard-hitting and more experimental, in part due to Mike Patton’s trademark guest vocals, for example in the tune “Soulympics.” Anyway, this is no easy stuff! But if you bring your patience and an interest in weird sounds, then you and the record ought to share some nice hours together.

The Verdict: Complex and totally wound up jazz-rock, not for the faint of heart.

Listen: www.myspace.com/zuband