Zao is a metalcore band from Greensburg, Pennsylvania, and one of the metalcore groups that rose in popularity at the end of the 90's. Founded in 1993 in Parkersburg, West Virginia, Zao has hosted several musicians and endured numerous roster changes to the point where no original members remain. Former drummer Jesse Smith, singer Daniel Weyandt, and guitarists Scott Mellinger and Russ Cogdell are seen by most fans as the "core" of Zao. Christianity has been a key influence in the band's work; because the founding members claimed to have a strong relationship with God, they were considered a devoted Christian band, which changed as time passed. Former drummer Jesse Smith slowly changed the band's vision. Because only half the band's members identified themselves as Christians, Zao no longer considered itself a Christian band but rather a group of open-minded artists. 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. Former members: Roy Goudy - Guitar (1993-1997) Jesse Smith - Drums (1993-2004) Eric Reeder - Vocals (1994-1995) Mic Cox - Bass (1994-1997) Shawn Jonas - vocals (1995-1997) Kevin Moran - Touring Bassist (1997) Ron Gray - Guitar (1997-1998) Brett Detar - Guitar (1997-1999) Rob Horner - Bass (1999-2004) Corey Darst - Touring Vocalist (2000-2001) Matt Auxier - Touring Guitarist (2001-2002) Joshua Ashworth - Touring Vocalist (2003-2004) Shawn Koschik - Bass (2004-2005) Stephen Peck - Drums (2004-2005) Russ Cogdell - Guitar (1997-2006) (Left due to knee surgery, but joined the lineup again in 2007)
If you like ZAO, check out these artists:
Zao
Zao
Zao
Zao
Zao
Zao
Zao
Zao
Zao
Zao
Zao
Zao
Zao
Zao
Zao
Zao
Zao
Zao
Zao
Zao
December 12, 2025
Buffalo Iron Works
Buffalo, New York, United States1. The Final Ghost
2. It's Hard Not to Shake With a Gun in Your Mouth
3. Physician Heal Thyself
4. Ship of Theseus
5. Croatoan
6. Xenophobe
7. The Rising End (The First Prophecy)
8. Savannah
9. Praise the War Machine
10. Lies of Serpents, a River of Tears
11. 5 Year Winter
12. To Think of You Is to Treasure an Absent Memory
October 11, 2025
The Meadows
Brooklyn, New York, United StatesOctober 10, 2025
Nikki Lopez Philly
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States1. The Final Ghost
2. If These Scars Could Speak
3. It's Hard Not to Shake With a Gun in Your Mouth
4. Physician Heal Thyself
5. Ship of Theseus
6. Croatoan
7. Xenophobe
8. The Rising End (The First Prophecy)
9. Savannah
10. Praise the War Machine
11. Lies of Serpents, a River of Tears
12. 5 Year Winter
13. To Think of You Is to Treasure an Absent Memory
14. The Ghost Psalm
Not on the setlistOctober 4, 2025
Sloss Furnaces
Birmingham, Alabama, United States1. Intro
2. Savannah
3. Autopsy
4. If These Scars Could Speak
5. The Ghost Psalm
6. Desire the End
7. Dark Cold Sound
8. Skin Like Winter
9. Kathleen Barbra
Live debut10. Man in Cage Jack Wilson
August 16, 2025
The Foundry Concert Club
Cleveland, Ohio, United StatesAugust 15, 2025
Rock Club
Chicago, Illinois, United States1. Into the Jaws of Dread
2. Ship of Theseus
3. Croatoan
4. Xenophobe
5. If These Scars Could Speak
6. It's Hard Not to Shake With a Gun in Your Mouth
7. Physician Heal Thyself
8. The Final Ghost
9. Savannah
10. The Rising End (The First Prophecy)
11. Praise the War Machine
12. Lies of Serpents, a River of Tears
13. 5 Year Winter
14. The Ghost Psalm
August 14, 2025
Red Flag
St. Louis, Missouri, United StatesAugust 13, 2025
The Spot OKC
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States1. The Final Ghost
2. If These Scars Could Speak
3. It's Hard Not to Shake With a Gun in Your Mouth
4. Physician Heal Thyself
5. Ship of Theseus
6. Croatoan
7. Xenophobe
8. The Rising End (The First Prophecy)
9. Savannah
10. Praise the War Machine
11. Lies of Serpents, a River of Tears
12. 5 Year Winter
13. The Ghost Psalm
August 12, 2025
TempleLive
Wichita, Kansas, United States1. The Final Ghost
2. If These Scars Could Speak
3. It's Hard Not to Shake With a Gun in Your Mouth
4. Physician Heal Thyself
5. Ship of Theseus
6. Croatoan
7. Xenophobe
8. The Rising End (The First Prophecy)
9. Savannah
10. Praise the War Machine
11. Lies of Serpents, a River of Tears
12. 5 Year Winter
13. To Think of You Is to Treasure an Absent Memory
August 11, 2025
Reverb Lounge
Omaha, Nebraska, United States1. Into the Jaws of Dread
2. Ship of Theseus
3. Croatoan
4. Xenophobe
5. If These Scars Could Speak
6. It's Hard Not to Shake With a Gun in Your Mouth
7. Physician Heal Thyself
8. The Final Ghost
9. Savannah
10. The Rising End (The First Prophecy)
11. Praise the War Machine
12. To Think of You Is to Treasure an Absent Memory
13. 5 Year Winter
14. The Ghost Psalm
August 10, 2025
xBk Live
Des Moines, Iowa, United StatesAugust 9, 2025
American Legion 577
St. Paul, Minnesota, United States1. The Final Ghost
2. If These Scars Could Speak
3. It's Hard Not to Shake With a Gun in Your Mouth
4. Physician Heal Thyself
5. Ship of Theseus
6. Croatoan
7. Xenophobe
8. The Rising End (The First Prophecy)
9. Savannah
10. Praise the War Machine
11. Lies of Serpents, a River of Tears
12. 5 Year Winter
13. The Ghost Psalm
with snippet of To Think of You Is To Treasure An Absent MemoryAugust 8, 2025
X-Ray Arcade
Cudahy, Wisconsin, United States1. Into the Jaws of Dread
2. Ship of Theseus
3. Croatoan
4. Xenophobe
5. If These Scars Could Speak
6. It's Hard Not to Shake With a Gun in Your Mouth
7. Physician Heal Thyself
8. The Final Ghost
9. Savannah
10. The Rising End (The First Prophecy)
11. Praise the War Machine
12. To Think of You Is to Treasure an Absent Memory
13. 5 Year Winter
14. The Ghost Psalm
August 7, 2025
Black Circle Brewing Company
Indianapolis, Indiana, United States1. Into the Jaws of Dread
2. Ship of Theseus
3. Croatoan
4. Xenophobe
5. If These Scars Could Speak
6. It's Hard Not to Shake With a Gun in Your Mouth
7. Physician Heal Thyself
8. The Final Ghost
9. Savannah
10. The Rising End (The First Prophecy)
11. Praise the War Machine
12. To Think of You Is to Treasure an Absent Memory
13. 5 Year Winter
14. The Ghost Psalm
August 6, 2025
The Sanctuary
Hamtramck, Michigan, United StatesJuly 6, 2025
The Black Box at the Williams Center
Rutherford, New Jersey, United States1. A Well-Intentioned Virus
2. Ship of Theseus
3. Physician Heal Thyself
4. The Rising End (The First Prophecy)
5. Savannah
6. Lies of Serpents, a River of Tears
7. 5 Year Winter
October 3, 2024
Soundstage
Birmingham, Alabama, United States1. Into the Jaws of Dread
2. Ship of Theseus
3. Breath of the Black Muse
4. The Rising End (The First Prophecy)
5. Pudgy Young Blondes With Lobotomy Eyes
6. Croatoan
7. Xenophobe
8. Lies of Serpents, a River of Tears
9. 5 Year Winter
10. The Ghost Psalm
August 10, 2024
The Funhouse
Millvale, Pennsylvania, United StatesAugust 9, 2024
Madison Live
Covington, Kentucky, United StatesAugust 8, 2024
The Cobra
Nashville, Tennessee, United States1. Alive is Dead
2. The Buzzing
3. Lost Star
4. Breath of the Black Muse
5. 5 Year Winter
6. Human Cattle Masses Marching Forward
7. Transitions
8. Croatoan
9. Intro
10. Savannah
11. At Zero (Simeon Simmons)
12. Pudgy Young Blondes With Lobotomy Eyes
13. The Rising End (The First Prophecy)
14. To Think of You Is to Treasure an Absent Memory
15. The Ghost Psalm
ZAO has released 18+ albums. Some of their notable releases include Live From The Church, The Crimson Corridor, The Crimson Corridor. Explore their complete discography on this page.
Some of ZAO's most popular tracks include Lies Of Serpents, A River Of Tears, The Rising End (The First Prophecy), A Fall Farewell, Ravage Ritual, Ember. Listen to these songs and discover more from their extensive catalog.
Zao is a metalcore band from Greensburg, Pennsylvania, and one of the metalcore groups that rose in popularity at the end of the 90's. Founded in 1993 in Parkersburg, West Virginia, Zao has hosted sev... Read the full biography on this page.
You can find ZAO vinyl records and merchandise on eBay. We feature a curated selection of vinyl releases and collectibles available for purchase.
Follow ZAO
