ZU are an Italian band formed in Ostia in 1997. Over nearly three decades, they have developed a distinctive musical language that resists easy classification. In their sound, elements of metal, noise, progressive rock, electronic music, ambient, industrial and contemporary music are transformed into intense forms that follow the rules of none of these genres. The band have released more than fifteen albums and played thousands of concerts around the world, achieving international cult status.

Collaborations have played an important role throughout ZU’s history. The musicians have recorded and performed with artists including Mike Patton, Joe Lally of Fugazi, King Buzzo of The Melvins, David Tibet, FM Einheit, Damo Suzuki and Mats Gustafsson. They have also worked with theatre director Romeo Castellucci and the company Societas Raffaello Sanzio. Particularly significant were the album Carboniferous, featuring Mike Patton, and the experimental trilogy comprising Jhator, Mirror Emperor, recorded with David Tibet, and Terminalia Amazonia.

In 2024, ZU began collaborating with the Japanese band Ruins, performing as RuinsZu with Tatsuya Yoshida on drums. In January 2026, they released the album Ferrum Sidereum, produced by Marc Urselli and issued by House of Mythology. The band return to Avant Art Festival following their performance at last year’s Warsaw edition.