Istanbul-based black metal trio, ZFR strike back with Demoniac Ethics. Their second release for Duplicate (and fourth in total), it ups the ante on 2017’s Kingdom of Nothingness, with the aggressive parts growing harsher and the atmospheric elements ever expanding. Demoniac Ethics shows religion though a twisted kaleidoscope, exposing the imprisoning religious dogma and tyranny that has occurred throughout history – and does to this day. Whereas Kingdom Of Nothingness was a harrowing glimpse into the world of ZFR, Demoniac Ethics takes you right into the innermost sanctum of their anti-religious agenda, while delivering one of the strongest and most forward-thinking black metal releases of late.
ZFR was founded by O. and O.S. in 2006. They released their debut album, You Must Come With Us, in 2007. This debut album reflected the concept of ZFR’s black metal vision, and the whole content supports this vision with all its instruments, where everything – recording, mix, mastering, and artwork – was DIY and done by the band. By December 2007, Nursuz joined ZFR on drums, and the trio started working on a new album with their new lineup. The recording was finally completed by 2010, and the band signed with Dunkelkunst Productions for the upcoming album. Titled Protest Against Humanity, ZFR’s second album was released in 2011. After the album, O.S. quit the band.
Come 2012, ZFR released a split CD with Belgium’s Cult of Erinyes. After the split CD release, ZFR worked on songwriting between 2012 and 2016 for their third album. It was December 2016 when the band finished its recording and signed a deal with Duplicate Records. Finally, in September 2017, Kingdom of Nothingness was released by Duplicate on CD and vinyl LP formats, with the cover artwork created by Russian artist Vergvoktre.
By November 2018, Ilgar joined the band on bass guitar, and ZFR has become a trio once again. After a recording session between 2018 and 2019, ZFR announced their fourth full-length, Demoniac Ethics, which is scheduled to be released on January 24th, 2020 via Duplicate Records. With stark ‘n’ haunting cover art created again Vergvoktre, ZFR here have truly hit their apex in terms of fullness of vision and foulness of execution, its intensity always simmering with haunting tension. One could say Demoniac Ethics is ceremonial, given its ominously hovering aspect, but within this ghostly atmosphere lay razors forever circling one’s flesh. Suitably, form fits concept, as a cursory read of the album’s component song titles salaciously suggest: “Chaos Clouds,” “Empire of Worms,” “Chants for Execution,” and the telltale “Insects as Messengers,” among others. Behold the fullness & foulness of ZFR’s coming with Demoniac Ethics!

Ltd. to 300 copies, jewelcase CD with booklet.

Demoniac Ethics by ZIFIR