Zombie (EP)

Not to be confused with Zombie (album) by Nigerian Afrobeat musician Fela Kuti.

Zombie
EP by
The Devil Wears Prada
ReleasedAugust 23, 2010
RecordedMay–June 2010
StudioFoundation Recording Studio
GenreMetalcore
Length22:50
LabelFerret
ProducerJoey Sturgis
The Devil Wears Prada chronology
With Roots Above and Branches Below
(2009) 		Zombie
(2010) 		Dead Throne
(2011)

Zombie is the first EP by American metalcore band The Devil Wears Prada. It was released on August 23, 2010. The band announced they would tour in support of the EP's five year anniversary, where they will play the EP in its entirety.[1]

A sequel EP, titled ZII, was released on May 21, 2021.[2]

Background and recording

The planning and writing for Zombie began before the summer of 2010.[3] In June it was confirmed that the recording of it was completed and the band then thereafter embarked on their Back to the Roots Tour.[4] Upon its original announcement, frontman Mike Hranica described it as being a "fun" release with "brutal" songs. Its general concept concerns the story of a relentless zombie apocalypse due to Hranica's strong interest on the subject.[5]

Composition

The band's metalcore musical style evolved considerably after the release of With Roots Above and Branches Below.[6] Taking note of the EP's speedier approach, The Devil Wears Prada stated that Zombie has the "fastest music they've ever written" and even admitted that it draws a strong influence from the likes of Slayer and Hatebreed.[5] It is also the first release by the band that does not feature humorous song titles.[7]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AbsolutePunk(88%)[8]
Allmusic[9]
Audio Opinions[10]
Blare Magazine[11]
Double Dance[12]
Jesus Freak Hideout[13]
Ultimate Guitar Archive(8.1/10)[14]

Critically, reception to Zombie has been met with positive reviews and ratings. Upon the EP's release, it debuted at number 10 on the Billboard 200 and number 2 on the Independent Albums.[15] The EP was praised for its notice of the band's overall performance along with many critics enjoying its concept.

Allmusic praised the group's musicianship expressing enjoyment over the array of influenced entwined with the EP's eerie concept. Dom Wyatt of Dead Press! stated "[The EP] kind of takes me back a good five or six years in the underground metal scene where it was commonplace to use movie sound bites mid-song, albeit this time they use a feigned public service announcement at the start of track three, ‘Outnumbered’. The main track that stands-out is ‘Anatomy’, if not for the vicious breakdown but for the opening riff with the synth intertwined."

Track listing

All lyrics are written by Mike Hranica; all music is composed by The Devil Wears Prada

No.TitleLength
1."Escape"4:45
2."Anatomy"3:46
3."Outnumbered"4:54
4."Revive"4:53
5."Survivor"4:32
Total length:22:50

Personnel

Credits for Zombie EP adapted from Allmusic.[16]

Charts

Chart (2010) Peak
position
Billboard 200[15] 10
Billboard Digital Albums[15] 10
Billboard Independent Albums[15] 2
Billboard Rock Albums[15] 2

References

  1. ^ Sharp, Tyler (December 17, 2014). "The Devil Wears Prada to perform 'Zombie EP' in full on Zombie 5 Tour". Alternative Press. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  2. ^ Carter, Emily (April 7, 2021). "The Devil Wears Prada announce new EP: "The heaviest music of out career..."". Kerrang!. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
  3. ^ Albers, Lucy (April 9, 2010). "Q&A: Mike Hranica of The Devil Wears Prada". Alternative Press. Retrieved April 9, 2010.
  4. ^ The Devil Wears Prada Finish New EP The PRP
  5. ^ a b "The Devil Wears Prada say Zombies EP has the "fastest" music they've ever written". Alternative Press. July 6, 2010. Retrieved July 8, 2010.
  6. ^ "The Devil Wears Prada: Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved June 6, 2011.
  7. ^ THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA Frontman Says 'Zombie' EP Is 'Sinister And Bad-Ass' – July 6, 2010 Blabbermouth.net
  8. ^ Beringer, Drew (August 19, 2010). "Devil Wears Prada, The – Zombie EP – Album Review". AbsolutePunk. Retrieved June 17, 2011.
  9. ^ Allmusic – Zombie EP Review Allmusic
  10. ^ "Zombie EP" review. Audiopinions
  11. ^ "Album Reviews – 16/8/10 | BLARE".
  12. ^ Zombie EP review. Double
  13. ^ Zombie EP review. Jesus Freak Hideout
  14. ^ "The Devil Wears Prada: Zombie | Reviews @ Ultimate-Guitar.com". www.ultimate-guitar.com.
  15. ^ a b c d e "The Devil Wears Prada Music News & Info | Billboard.com". Billboard. Retrieved September 3, 2010.
  16. ^ "Zombie EP – The Devil Wears Prada". Allmusic. Retrieved June 17, 2011.