I'm sure a lot of you amazing and dedicated fans are wondering why in the pits of hell is Zombie Gutz breaking up!?  I am going to try and answer that question without giving too much away.  I also want to inform everyone how we started as a band but first I and ZG wants to thank each and every one of you guys for making being in Zombie Gutz some of the best times in our lives for over 3 years.  We (Ryan Hefner, Brandon Davidson, Chase Brent, Ryan Conrad, and Van Lowe), the original members of the band started as a joke. Just a group of funny guys who joke around and at that...all the guys have so much talent at what they do. Most of us had no obligations besides some crap jobs and school.  So after a few really fun practices we decided to play a show.  At that show, nobody knew us from Adam.  It ended up that we all had a blast and decided to possibly get into this a little more.  With the help of some cool riffs and a really bad name, apparantly we honestly didn't even realize what we had got ourselves into.  After about a year, we booked a show to headline at Tremont Music Hall in Charlotte, NC.  I believe it was around august 2004, a few months after our first cd release that we walked into a huge crowd! We were like, "Dang, we had no clue that most of these kids were here to see us until we stepped on stage and kids went nuts!" It's a great feeling to see the majority of the crowd singing along to your own music. It wasn't long after that show that the first blow to the band took place.  We all were informed by Van Lowe, our bassist, (the guy in the national guard) that he was getting deployed for one year to Iraq. At that current moment we were all shocked and upset to see him leave but knew he would return and we could suffice with a fill-in bass player until he came back.  From that point, we managed to continue to write music and play shows for one year. It was hard but we did it. Joe Elmore, Chris Nolen, and Richard Kelly all graciously filled in at one point or another on bass. About 4 months before Van's scheduled return A LOT of things took place. We signed to a label out of Indiana "Wounded Records", played Cornerstone, and member Brandon Davidson got engaged and planned to retire from the band when Van returned. After that second big blow, the main core of the band (Ryan, Chase, and Conrad) had a lot of planning and thinking to do. At the same time, there was a fork in the road on whether this band wants to stay local or tour heavily.  In all reality, Chase and Conrad were the only two that could realistically tour. Ryan was heavy into college and just couldn't manage it.  But somehow we made it work to go on several tours.  Upon Van's arrival back home, things were great. Even though we lost some members, we gained back an original. Van caught up with everything on guitar this time around. We also aquired an amazing fill-in drummer, Evan Kirkley from Cambridge. So at this point all of us were tour capable minus a bass player and only having a drummer to help us out as we tour.  Our first tour was booked by Luke Williams from The Fire The Flood. It just so happened that Josh Moree, another member from Cambridge, graciously helped us out on bass during our tour with TFTF.  Before I go any further, thank you Joe, Richard, Chris, Evan, Robby, and Josh for helping us out. Without ya'll helping us out we probably woundn't of made it this far. So, back to the story, after the tours, the members and fill-ins were starting to realize how much tour had taken a toll on our wallets.  Most of us were concearned if we were even going to be able to pay the next month's rent. At this point, I think the band (the guys that we had left) had hit rock bottom.  All the crap that the band had gone through and lost members had finally worn down on us.  The band in 04' that just played for fun had fell in to the "all serious" trap.  From then on, the only members that had aspirations to carry on Zombie Gutz and tour was Chase and Conrad. The rest either made plans to go get a degree, or just play in a part-time band.  Don't get too upset, because several ZG members have already started an amazing part-time band and some more original ZG members have also just begun with a new band as well. Thats all I'm entitled to say at this point.

So here Zombie Gutz is fixing to reunite for ONE show. ONE SHOW! All the original members scheduling our LAST show ever at Tremont Music Hall on JUNE 8TH 2007.  It will be a very sad but memorable day.  It will be up to you guys to be there and retire us like it's 1999!  Also, don't get too excited but rumor has it that A Closing Skyline might also be planning to reunite for one show with us.  We are looking at Solidarity to come down and possibly play as well. NONE OF THE BANDS ARE SET IN STONE YET! But stay in touch, and we will let everyone know the line-up for this show as soon as we find something out.

R.I.P DECEMBER 2004-JUNE 2007

INDIE VISION MUSIC!

My first thought was man these guys have a great name to design merch for. So many possibilities. Zombie Gutz, hailing from North Carolina bring a southern rock flavor mixing it with metalcore and breakdowns that come with it. After listening through this album I hit play again.

An amusing intro kicks off the album and then blasts right into "Moonpies..." Soon in I get my first brutal breakdown. Immediately following it kicks into a Southern rock n roll riff. Biker metal, complete with guitar solo. I'm so into this song right away, I'm not sure if the rest of the album can compare.

"Wilkesboro" shows forth even more harsh vocals from Chase. This song continues to show some nice guitar work and continues to pummel with excellent breakdowns, which for sure would get a club moving.

"How Does It Go" once again brings a more biker metal feel which gives way to a chugga-chugga verse/chorus. Throw in some nice squeals and another Southern-fried guitar lick and folks we've got another great song!! This song finishes off with a metal breakdown.

"Dumpzilla" is another enjoyable track. There's a lot of styles mixed in this song and I cannot fully describe it. The band manages to have so many switches throughout each song and yet keep your attention and don't stray too much."Alexander" has a typical new wave metal feel to it. You really get hammered with the bass drums in this one.

This band will draw attention to the small Wounded label. They have found a band to run with and hopefully they push them as far as they can. Watch out though because you might see Zombie Gutz getting signed bigger off this album. I have listened to this album 10x or so since I received it and will probably end up wearing this disc out at this rate.

Ratings:

Album Art/Design: (3.5/5)

Again small budget means basic but Zombie Gutz proves that even without a huge budget you can have a good design. The lyrics are included and a good choice of font instead of the usual styles.

Lyrics:

Lighthearted through most, but serious still in some. These guys clearly know how to have a good time and to entertain

Highlight:

"This well oiled machine is a brush hog to your boone docks" ("Track 7")

Marketability: (3.5/5)

With the Southern influenced metalcore & rock making a comeback they certainly can fit in. The nice thing is they only use it occassionally without it being a total production. They bring solid metalcore with some great breakdowns which can fit in with the new wave of metalcore like As I Laying & Still Remains.

Production: (4/5)

I was very impressed with the production on this album. It was able to capture the brutality and heaviness of this album which with lower budget releases is often missed. The bass and percussion were mixed very well and add a lot.

Vocals: (4.5/5)

I am a big fan Chase's vocals. He has a very hardcore, toughguy sounding voice but fits well with this outfit. Background and gang vocals are well placed and not overused.

Overall:(8.5/10)

I enjoyed this album for more than I thought it would. It had all of my essentials for a good heavy album. I found myself screaming along and enjoying every minute of the listen. I'm not sure totally what it is about this band that I like but they certainly have gained a fan and I look forward to hearing more in the future as this bands continues to tour and mature.

Standout Tracks:

"Wilkesboro", "How Does It Go", "Dumpzilla"

Similar to: Imperial, Mercury Switch , Maylene & The Sons Of Disaster, War Of Ages

DOOMSDAYER!

So I get this disc in the mail from Wounded Records from a band called "Zombie Gutz" and I'm thinkin, "Okay. Another Misfits/Samhain horror punk rock outfit. I'm cool with that. I used to be a huge Misfits fan right?"
 
What I got was some good 'ol southern fried metalcore. Imagine if you took the technical bent of "The Chariot", mixed in the brutalness of "Figure Four", the groove aspects of "Symphony In Peril" and then add a bit of the redneckishness sensibilities of old "Clutch", and then added just a dash of old school thrash for kicks... that would just about sum up "Zombie Gutz" new disc "Who's Come'n With Me?".
 
Twelve songs here. With song titles like "Moonpies And Brownie Chocolate", "Bo Fever", "Wacko Jacko", and "Dumpzilla" and how can we forget song number eight cleverly titled "Track 7"? Confusion at it's best!
 
The lyrics range of topics such as empty faith, dead beat dads, Michael Jackson, suicide, and a funny... yet not so funny way to deal with anger management issues. The music is heavy with a heavy groove to it, the production is way loud, but not "distorto" loud. My only real beef with this is that the bass is near nonexistent in the mix. The songs at times seem to slip into a bit of a generic metalcore feel, and then they will pull out with an unforeseen twist. The vocals range from your average metalcore shouting to the flat out brutality of the guttural belching of Arron Wreckingthangs from the now defunct band "Point Of Recognition"! That's awesome!
 
The coolest thing on here is the last track "Water Hockey", they stop the metalcore for a bit and throw out this blues that I swear you can sing ZZ Top's "Cheap Sunglasses" to...
 
"Now go out and get yourself some thick black frames
With the glass so dark they won't even know your name"
 
Yep! It works. And right over the top of it their vocalist Chase Brent just keeps hollerin bout how he's gonna run down that "stupid sucky squirrel" in the middle of the road with his 18 wheeler! Man! If that ain't the crux of entertainment... I don't know what is!
 
Go out and pick yourself up a copy of Zombie Gutz new disc "Who's Come'n With Me?" now! I think you may be pleased... I know I was!

CHRISTIAN ROCKERS ONLINE!

Do you like your musical hardcore main order with a side dish
of quirky? If you answered yes to that question then this is the
band for you.
 
The vocals are in your face screamo , the guitars are loud and fierce
enough to wake someone out of a coma.
 
Then you add fast drum beats that are like a machine gun firing with a
never ending ammunition clip!
 
Add to that mix unusual song titles, and some off the wall themes and
you have what is the band's musical style.
 
You'll find song titles like, "Moonpies And Brownie Chocolate,"
"Wacko Jacko," and "Track7"(which is really track eight).
 
The final song on the CD is "Water Hockey," a song about
running over a squirrel that manages to mix some 70's funky
beats into its hardcore sound.
 
I'm sure that you could take many different things away from
this CD after listening to it.
 
What I got was that it's time for us as Christians to take a stand
and fight for our faith.
 
The need to stop all of the wimp like, politically correct stuff that
has crept into the Christian faith in recent years.
 
If you're looking for some good hardcore music with quirkiness
added in then this release is right up your musical bowling alley.

SMOTHER.NET!

North Carolina metalcore outfit Zombie Gutz has some pretty funny lyrics and song titles. The guitar arrangements are stellar with angular riffage that shreds your face. Sweet breakdowns dont mask the fact that this band is one of dozen metalcore bands with an eerily similar approach and sound. Theres screams, rockin metal riffs that belie a fondness for old school hair metal, and twisted breakdowns.

- J-Sin 

UPRISE MAGAZINE!

Dont let an odd name like Zombie Gutz throw you off balance or catch you off guard.  You can go ahead and lose the pre-conceived notions because this band is simply outstanding!  With influences from As I Lay Dying, The Chariot, and Norma Jean, the band takes elements from metal, hardcore, and a small touch from Jazz.  At first glance I did not know what to exspect from this band, after the first two songs I was already bobbing my head, cracking a smile, and getting into their music.  Their first label supported album Whos Comen With Me was put out by Wounded Records, and has 12 songs that will knock you right out of your seat.  With plans of touring, performing at a few summer music festivals, I think Zombie Gutz will become a common household name.... at least for hardcore kids!

 

RANDOM REVIEW!

 

Zombie Gutz?  Yes that's what I said Zombie Gutz!!!  You may think this is a lead in to one
of those "B" movies you used to watch late Saturday nights but in fact it's a very young
talented hardcore band  who have just released their first cd "Who's Come'n With Me?" on Wounded Records.  Zombie Gutz has a sound that can be compared to bands like Norma
Jean, Of The Son and Blindside.  On a side note they also have some off the wall twists and
turns which remind me alot of a band out of the 80's called Scatterbrain who always seemed
to impress me with their off the wall banter.  The music on WCWM is absolutely ferocious,
with it's raw aggression and power. Guitars Chug Chug along at full speed while drums do
their best to cave your skull in with unabashed power!!!  The lyrical content on WCWM is
like no other that i've seen before.  What it comes down to is your impending doom being
forecast to you by a bunch of Redneck Zombies, who pull no punches when it comes to their
message of what could have been.  I have to give these guys alot of credit because even
though the message may be a little different then most they make it work.  To sum things
up WCWM is really alot like one of those "B" movies because no matter how hard you
try to stop the music and the message the Zombies keep come'n!!!

 

WISE MEN PROMOTIONS!

If you are into bands like Between the Buried and Me, Bury Your Dead and others then check out this band.

Despite having one of the worst and cheesiest names we have ever heard for a modern day band, Wounded Records will be put on the music map with this find. Little is listed about the band on the record label site and they don't even have a website up and running at the time of this review, but who cares...they cd freaking rocks your face off!

Musically
Zombie Gutz is hardcore metal from beginning to end. I expected to hear a haphazard, thrown-together CD from a band called Zombie Gutz, but I was in for a big surprise. Despite song names like Dumpzilla and Wacko Jacko, they pump out metalcore like a metal fist in the face. From sick, deep, rumbling, breakdowns, to chugga-chugga guitar riffs, they shine with passion. You can tell this band put their heart into everything. They incorporate a lot of cool things in this album. One of those things are the guitar slides, which they incorporate well. Next to that, they have some high, dissonant guitar riffs that kill with the almighty double-bass. Alongside these, they sometimes transition into 80s-like guitar riffs that just sound cool with their hardcore sound. Theyre rough, theyre gritty, and pretty melodic. Lots of high guitar work that will get stuck in you head. The only real complaints I have are the sound quality, which isnt horrible, and the breakdowns often-times are too simple and boring. The album ends with a bang in Water Hockey where they straight-up stop the hardcore and go into a jazz interlude. It is straight-up Jazz. They didnt stop there, because the vocalist even utilized hardcore vocals with the Jazz section and it sounded good! Its a bit odd for hardcore, but it wasnt bad at all. Songs like Water Hockey, Moonpies and Brownie Chocolate and Wacko Jacko are the highlights of the album, where their talent truly shows. Its hard for me to rate a band a full 5, so giving these guys a 3.5/5 definitely says something for a band coming from Wounded Records. For true fans of hardcore.

Vocally/Lyrically
The lead vocalist doesnt hardly move from the hardcore vocals. While its not quite tough-guy, it does remind you of that type of sound. Some group yells arent too far off either when breakdowns are near. All the members pitch in vocally in some way or another it seems like. Screaming-wise, it doesnt seem the vocalist is the only one either. There are a couple parts where he utilizes some half-scream half-singing vocals. The lyrics seem to be pretty controversial. Some of them seem like a joke too. One section in Wilkesboro, the band simply yells Daddy, Daddy, Daddy over and over. Supporting their beliefs, the vocalist is found talking about God and Jesus in a few places. In Bo Fever he screams God, You will never leave me. They have a lot of things to say to people or a lot of nothing to say, which all seems fine. They arent afraid to be a Christian band, and they arent afraid to tell you what they believe. Jesus is the first one thanked on this album.

Wounded Records has gold in this band. If I were them, I wouldnt let them go. I expect a lot of good things from this band. 

 
ALSO...A REVIEW FROM HM MAGAZINE SOON!

 

While Zombie Gutz has been finishing up their last few shows before Thanksgiving, these guys have been preparing for a re-release of a half-new half-old full length. Before anyone gets confused, Zombie Gutz has signed to a label out of Indiana (Wounded Records). With some help from wounded, Zombie Gutz has been directed to write 5 to 6 very solid brand new songs as well as, incorporating 5 songs from their last (self-titled) album. For those who purchased thier self-titled album...you may ask yourself, why should I buy a cd that will have half of the songs that I have already heard? well I assure you that the 6 new songs are well worth your money and the old music will be re-recorded with an even better recording! ZG has taken a very mature approach to these new songs. They are more attacking, more innovative, and of course the rock-and-roll Zombie Gutz has always provided, as well as, the old favorites like Wilkesboro, brought back to you with an even better recording and overall sound. and For those who have none of ZG's music, you are missing out! Things are well underway and the new album will be available for you at the beginning of the new year(2006). be on the lookout for a new/old/re-release/party/show in early february!!!

love,

Zombie Gutz