Zeal and Ardor is a Swiss avant-garde metal band founded in 2013 by Manuel Gagneux, a Swiss-American musician also known for his chamber pop project Birdmask. The band is recognized for its distinctive blend of African-American spirituals and black metal. Originally a solo endeavor, Zeal and Ardor expanded into a full band after signing with MVKA Records in 2016. Their lineup has included Gagneux, Denis Wagner, Marc Obrist, Tiziano Volante, Mia Rafaela Dieu (later replaced by Lukas Kurmann), and Marco Von Allmen. Zeal and Ardor are known for their innovative sound and thought-provoking themes, with albums such as Devil Is Fine, Stranger Fruit, the self-titled Zeal and Ardor, and Greif, as well as the EP Wake of a Nation.