Ferrum Sidereum by Zu

Zu
Ferrum Sidereum
House Of Mythology

Let’s be transparent here: How can three humans create a universe? Zu managed to do it with Ferrum Sidereum. An eye-opening and refreshing instrumental experience that pushes practically every boundary, this album represents true originality. I have not heard anything this musically “out there” and compositionally tight since The Mothers of Invention, and Zappa was not working with just three people. There are hints of inspiration that could be connected to Sweep the Leg Johnny (only because of the saxophone connection), Fantomas (from the blitzkrieg of noise), or Boredoms (solely from the chaotic structure in songs like “Golgotha”).

Behind the wheel are Paolo Mongardi on drums and percussion, Luca T. Mai on baritone sax, synths, and keyboards, and Massimo Pupillo on electric bass and 12-string acoustic guitar. All of this comes together to present a strength in a new form of metal. This is not an album to pluck your way through; you must experience it like a spiritual awakening.

“We are very spiritually oriented people,” says Massimo. “Machines and AI do not have spirituality. They can mimic and they can assemble existing things, but they cannot create. That spirit is probably the most important thing that our music carries.”

But this is not new; the band has lived through 15 albums. Ferrum Sidereum is a bigger epic—a grand story through sound and complex momentum, blending elements of progressive rock, industrial music, metal, punk, and jazz.

Ferrum Sidereum translates to “cosmic iron.” The album is fueled by a thoughtful conceptual interpretation of meteoritic iron found in ancient artifacts, an elemental force that defines the story’s apocalyptic sound.

What you will get out of this journey are feelings of fear, excitement, awakening, surprise, and contemplation. Whatever emotion arises within each volume increase or tempo change, you cannot deny that you will walk away with a new appreciation for humanity.