Zico Chain

Before we get into this, Zico Chain are one of the most underrated bands ever! Since the very first time they blew our ears to smithereens in a sunny field at Download 2007, they have been one of our favourite bands, yet as amazing as they are – they haven’t got anywhere. This shows that there MUST be something wrong with the music industry today. Where people like JLS flood the charts with their mundane shit, while truly talented bands like Zico Chain just lurk in the shadows.

We witnessed Zico Chain destroy the Harlow Square just a few days ago and were looking forward to witnessing the same at Nambucca tonight, but due to some issues with the venue, we are here at Proud – where Zico Chain have been hastily added to a 15 band line-up of an all day event. Due to this alteration, Zico have a short set and an audience which are currently seen lounging on sofas sipping on their iced alcoholic beverages and conversing with friends. NOT what the atmosphere at a rock show should be like. But that’s fine. Zico Chain plug in their guitars and give the crowd an ultimatum. Get the fuck up or fuck off! (they don’t really, but it’s what effect they have.) A fair few horrified looking people scuttle towards the door, upset that their day of dreary characterless music has been interrupted by a band with actual presence and volume – but the majority get off their asses and move closer to the source of the noise.

From the very moment they start, Zico Chain are a flurry of energy and instantly impress at how powerful they sound. Imagine Nirvana on steroids. What’s that? Comparing a new band to a beefier Nirvana is a bold statement? Of course it is, but it’s a statement we say with 100% commitment. Even down to lead singer/bassist Chris Glithero’s stage presence and look echoing that of Kurt Cobain, and his voice doesn’t mind entering Cobain territories either. But it’d be wrong of us to base their absolute epicness around just this similarity to Nirvana. Zico Chain blew our minds with their debut full length Food back in 2009, and have done that again with new album The Devil In Your Heart (out in April). Tonight they play a nice little selection from their releases – albeit a very short one – truly showcasing their abilities at writing an absolute beast of a song. Songs packed with extraordinary bass-lines, thundering drums and riffs to match – it soon becomes evident that this isn’t an all-dayer, it’s a fucking Zico Chain show!

‘Evasion’ from their forthcoming release, shows the potential that Zico Chain have and classic ‘Rohypnol’ shows the potential that Zico Chain have always had! It’s a major injustice how a band as powerful live and on record can remain as unknown as these guys – hopefully the release of their new album will help shift their fortune. As they close on ‘Where Would You Rather Be?’ – which sounds like the offspring of Marilyn Manson’s ‘The Beautiful People’ and Queens Of The Stone Age’s ‘No One Knows’ mating session – the answer is: nowhere. If you’re looking for a better half an hour of music tonight in London, you damn well aren’t gonna find one! We feel very sorry for whoever has to follow Zico Chain tonight.

9/10

Written by: Ryan Cooper (NOW KERRANG! EDITORIAL ASSISTANT)

Photos by: Frances Sales - BRING THE NOISE

GO SEE ZICO CHAIN!!! - KERRANG!

GO SEE ZICO CHAIN!!! - KERRANG!

THE DEVIL IN YOUR HEART - LP

Label TBC- 2nd April 2012

“THE DEVIL IN YOUR HEART” is a high five to the inconsolable in all of us, a celebration of triumph and relief, born through the eyes and ears of three musicians who had to go there to come back. THE DEVIL IN YOUR HEART is the fist pumping new album from London alt-rockers, Zico Chain.

“As soon as I screamed those lyrics, I knew right then that I had the album title,” says Chris Glithero. “It encompassed every feeling I’d had during the making of this record”.

“ The title sounds like a negative” adds Oli Middleton “but this album is about wisdom, and it’s relentlessly optimistic”.

THE DEVIL IN YOUR HEART is a self produced labor of love. Having given up everything to pursue the unknown, the band bedded down in various derelict buildings around the UK and began recording.

“We never went near a studio. We were sat in an empty house in winter, with ants everywhere and no heating, but our amps were still buzzing and we were talking about how we could find a way to record an orchestra” adds Chris.

The band realized every seemingly impossible ambition and went on to work with award winning string arranger Audrey Riley, who’s impressive resume includes collaborations with rock giants such as Muse and Foo Fighters.

The result is a self-made and self-funded lap of honor, an achievement of truly epic proportions. Armed with their hard earned formidable live reputation and their relentless DIY ethics, it’s almost impossible to imagine ZICO CHAIN not climbing to the greatest heights and beyond in 2012.








THE DEVIL IN YOUR HEART track listing is as follows:

EVASION/THE REAL LIFE/NEW ROMANTIC/ MERCURY GIFT/ A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS/ OUR EVIL/ CASE# 44PQ_110807/ BLACK TURNS WHITE/ PERFECT HIGH/MORE THAN LIFE/ I AM THE SILENCE
- SCREAM