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Zu (band)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Zu
OriginRome, Italy
Genres
Years active1997–present
Members
  • Massimo Pupillo
  • Luca T. Mai
  • Paolo Mongardi
Past members
Websitezuism.net

Zu is an Italian instrumental band from Rome. While their line-up of baritone sax, bass guitar and drums is typical of a jazz band, their hard-driving sound is indebted to punk rock and according to AllMusic "defies easy categorization".[1] Zu have collaborated with a wide variety of musicians and been described as "masters at adapting to their guests' musical backgrounds".[2]

Name

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The name of the band, Zu, comes from the Sumerian term zu 𒍪, identifying the "life force of consciousness", the same root of the name of the Neopagan new religious movement of Zuism (Mesopotamian/Middle Eastern Neopaganism).[3]

History

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Hailing from Ostia (a neighbourhood of Rome), Zu are an atypical trio consisting of drums, bass, baritone saxophone and electronics. Formed in Rome in 1997, they began as composers and performers for theater productions. The band is composed of three members: Luca Mai on baritone saxophone, Massimo Pupillo on bass and Paolo Mongardi on drums.

Zu have released fourteen albums, including two live albums and two splits. They have played at festivals in Europe, America, Asia and Africa. In 2006, the band toured with the super group Fantômas Melvins Big Band.

They have also collaborated with Romeo castellucci and Societas Raffaello Sanzio for Vexilla Regis Prodeunt Inferni zu-e-societas-raffaello-sanzio

Style

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Zu's music is instrumental and features virtuosic drumming, powerful bass and distorted saxophone. Many of the band's albums are billed as collaborations with a guest musician (such as Mike Patton, Buzz Osborne, Mats Gustafsson and Nobukazu Takemura). Often, a collaborator will join them at live performances as well. Members of the band also collaborate with other musical projects, many of which exist only as live performances.

Reception

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John Zorn described the band as creating "a powerful and expressive music that totally blows away what most bands do these days".[4]

In 2009, Carboniferous was voted Album of the Year in Rock-A-Rolla magazine's Best of 2009 poll.

Personnel

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  • Luca T. Mai – baritone saxophone and electronics
  • Massimo Pupillo – bass
  • Paolo Mongardi – drums

Ex-members

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Major collaborators

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Discography

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Singles and music videos

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  • "Carbon" (2009)
  • "Soulympics" (2009)
  • "Orc" (2010)
  • "Goodnight, Civilization" (2014)
  • "Cortar Todo" (2015)
  • "Conflict Acceleration" (2015)
  • "Golgotha" (2025)
  • "A.I. Hive Mind" (2025)

References

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  1. ↑ Steve Leggett. "Zu | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  2. ↑ Jason Lymangrover (9 February 2009). "Carboniferous - Zu | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  3. ↑ Diana, Gianluca (3 January 2026). "Zu, la forza vitale della coscienza" [Zu, the Life Force of Consciousness]. Il manifesto (in Italian).
  4. ↑ "ZU (band)". Zuism.net. 11 October 2019. Archived from the original on 11 October 2019. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
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