The Splinter Shards the Birth of Separation

The Splinter Shards the Birth of Separation is the second studio album by American metalcore band Zao, released on Tooth & Nail Records on April 1, 1997.

The Splinter Shards the Birth of Separation
Studio album by Zao
Released	April 1, 1997
Recorded	October 1996
Studio	Oz Studios, Baltimore, Maryland
Genre	Hardcore punk, metalcore
Length	44:55
Label	Tooth & Nail
Producer	Zao, Drew Mazurek
Zao studio album chronology
All Else Failed (1995) The Splinter Shards the Birth of Separation (1997) Where Blood and Fire Bring Rest (1998)

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Jesus Freak Hideout	[1]

In 2020, the band repressed the album, alongside the follow-up album, Where Blood and Fire Bring Rest, to vinyl with both albums getting around 500 each and new artwork done by David Rankin.^[2]

Track listing

No.	Title	Lyrics	Length
1.	"Times of Separation"	Jesse Smith	5:01
2.	"Surrounds Me"		4:32
3.	"Exchange"		3:34
4.	"Particle"	Smith	2:50
5.	"Repressed"	Roy Goudy	4:11
6.	"In Loving Kindness"	Jonas, Smith	3:44
7.	"Endure"		4:10
8.	"The Children Cry for Help"	Jonas, Smith	5:31
9.	"Resistance"		3:01
10.	"Song 1"		8:21
Total length:			44:55

All lyrics are written by Shawn Jonas, except where noted; all music is composed by Zao.

Credits

ZAO^[3]

• Shawn Jonas - vocals
• Roy Goudy - guitar
• Mic Cox - bass
• Jesse Smith - drums

Production^[3][4]

• Drew Mazurek - engineer, mixing, producer
• Brian Gardner - mastering
• Brandon Ebel - executive producer
• Jefferson Steele - photography
• Eskew Reeder - composer
• Steve Wayne - composer