The Fear Is What Keeps Us Here

The Fear Is What Keeps Us Here is the eighth full-length album by metalcore band Zao. It was released on June 13, 2006 on Ferret Records in the US and on June 12, 2006 in Europe. The album showcases the addition of drummer Jeff Gretz and bassist Martin Lunn. In interviews Gretz jokingly claimed it would be titled "The George Lucas Neckfat".[6][7]

The Fear Is What Keeps Us Here
Studio album by Zao
Released	June 12, 2006
Genre	Metalcore
Length	37:52
Label	Ferret
Producer	Steve Albini
Zao chronology
The Funeral of God (2004) The Fear Is What Keeps Us Here (2006) Awake? (2009)

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[1]
About.com	[2]
Kerrang!
HCS.net	[3]
Relevant Magazine	(not rated)[4]
Punknews.org	[5]

Album note

The album was released in two versions. The limited edition deluxe edition contains expanded artwork and a bonus "making the album" DVD. Both versions contain the same music. Some pre-ordered copies of the album came with a separate sheet of paper with easier-to-read lyrics for each song.

Concept

There is no strict concept to the album, as on The Funeral of God. The album deals with more obscure/varied subject matter. Topics throughout the album include death and loss of everything you have ("Everything You Love Will Soon Fly Away"), politics ("American Sheets on the Deathbed", "Kingdom of Thieves"), frustration with false interpretations of the band's purpose ("It's Hard Not to Shake with a Gun in Your Mouth"), that we can't do it all alone ("Physician Heal Thyself"), American priorities ("Pudgy Young Blondes with Lobotomy Eyes") and zombies ("My Love, My Love (We've Come Back From the Dead)"). The band says the underlying theme is "loss of control."

Sound

It's been called the most abrasive Zao record to date. Steve Albini's live to analog-tape production (with no computer "fixing") and the band's decision to track all of the drums, bass and guitar live lends an accurate representation of the band's live sound. Dan Weyandt's vocals are given the same treatment as he sang with a hand-held microphone through an amplifier to simulate an over-driven P.A. at a small club show. Instead of adding the melodic elements that were introduced on the album The Funeral of God, it takes a somewhat raw, black metal-influenced sound.

Track listing

All tracks are written by Daniel Weyandt and Scott Mellinger, except where noted.

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Cancer Eater"	2:39
2.	"Physician Heal Thyself"	3:56
3.	"Everything You Love Will Soon Fly Away"	3:07
4.	"It's Hard Not to Shake with a Gun in Your Mouth"	3:53
5.	"Kingdom of Thieves"	3:23
6.	"Killing Time 'Til it's Time to Die"	3:02
7.	"There Is No Such Thing as Paranoia"	3:06
8.	"Pudgy Young Blondes with Lobotomy Eyes"	3:56
9.	"My Love, My Love (We've Come Back from the Dead)"	2:48
10.	"American Sheets on the Deathbed"	2:47
11.	"A Last Time for Everything"	5:15

Japanese edition bonus track

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
12.	"Black Coffee" (Black Flag cover)	Greg Ginn	4:20

Credits

Zao

• Dan Weyandt – lead vocals
• Scott Mellinger – guitar, clean vocals
• Martin Lunn – bass, backing vocals
• Jeff Gretz – drums

Additional

• Steve Albini – recording engineer
• John Golden – mastering
• Jeff Gros – photography
• Carl Severson – A&R

References

1. The Fear Is What Keeps Us Here at AllMusic
2. Chad Bowar. "Zao - The Fear Is What Keeps Us Here". About.com Entertainment. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
3. http://www.hardcoresounds.net/modules.php?name=Band_List&file=cdviewer&func=2725
4. http://www.relevantmagazine.com/pc_article.php?id=7217
5. "Zao". punknews.org. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
6. "Blabbermouth.net". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
7. "Zao set to record with Steve Albini (Nirvana, The Pixies, Neurosis, Helmet, Slint, F-Minus)". punknews.org. Retrieved 22 October 2015.