The countdown is complete for Zebrahead and they have finally released the exciting, concluding chapter in their trilogy of EPs, called I. I is the follow-up to the III (2021) and II (2023) EPs, completing the band’s III.II.I. series. “Finally, the last EP is here… this series represents where our heads have been during and since COVID,” shares bassist Ben Osmundson. “It’s been a trying time for everyone, and now it’s time for fresh starts. See you on tour!” Having already released a good number of singles leading up to I, culminating in today’s single release of “Puppet Stringers,” the band continues to be armed with an arsenal of slick tunes to take on the road. By getting back to the core values of what makes this band so damn special, Zebrahead leaves just the right taste in our mouths on this electric EP filled with passion and breakneck energy.

The latest EP from Zebrahead comes at an important crossroads in their history. II is the second release from the band since adding the new vocalist/guitarist Adrian Estrella, and finds Zebrahead tinkering with their sound in order to discover what works best for them for the foreseeable future. Their last record, entitled III, was a thrilling reinvention of their dynamic sound that left the realm of possibilities wide open for where this artist could travel to next. Much like a storm coming out to sea at the wrong time, this ship occasionally steers off course, when they could’ve simplified the process of crafting these songs. The band covers a little bit of new ground by adding more metal riffs in one song, and attempts a ska/punk track on the EP that goes a bunch of directions, but never in a straight path.

The changing of lead vocalists almost never works for a band. Lucky for us, Zebrahead are all too familiar with shuffling this key cog in the band machine, and sound as re-energized as ever with their third lead vocalist, Adrian Estrella (formerly of Assuming We Survive), who has this beloved band back on the right track. When I last chatted with Adrian and Ali, you could tell that they were sitting on a great collection of music that they have since aptly branded III to mark the third chapter in their storied history. With such a refreshing take on their sound, it’s no wonder why it’s easy to get excited for what the future holds for Zebrahead.