ZAIUS is parts Between the Buried and Me, Scale the Summit, Pelican, but feels just so, intelligent. Not to say the aforementioned bands aren’t intelligent, but Zauis has a knack for textured layering of sounds that create a dynamic, and dramatic soniscape that really falls within the ebb and flow of the waves of their music. Formed in 2010, Chicago's Zaius explores a lighter, more melodic side of the members' musical tastes without abandoning the metal tendencies that come natural to them. Although the band did not initially intend to become an instrumental project, it became very apparent in the first writing sessions that the music was much more fitting without vocals. All Your Friends Are Dead, the band’s 2011 debut EP showcased a fine mix of dense and morose guitar playing. 2013’s Divided By Tides EP came next and pushed things further, adding in soaring melodies. The album was met with glistening reviews, with Metal Sucks proclaiming, the world needs more instru-metal bands like Zaius, who steer completely clear of djent while still managing to bring the groove (via Maserati), atmospherics (via Constants, If These Trees Could Talk, etc) and the heavy (via Scale the Summit). Bomb."