Taking indie garage compositions, punk’s harmonies — or lack thereof — and fusing them with odd forms psychedelic rock comes Ceremony’s new album Zoo. It’s hazy and sort of a departure from the bands heyday, but still bubbling deep in the vein of progressive hardcore. The California band hasn’t lost their edge on their fourth release, but rather show some maturity in their musicianship through exploration.

The album opens with that glorious bad-ass feel we all love in our punk. “Hysteria” is the well-established and desperate cry; its steady beat gives way to the pulsating and intoxicating snare drum on “Citizen.” “Adult” is awash in reverb and static as Rosh Farrar vocals spit out words of defiance. “Quarantine” and “Community Service” are moments reminiscent of punk’s history — throwbacks to where it all began. The album ends with “Video,” and it might throw listeners for a loop. Gone are the scratchy compositions of previous tracks — this one is smoother, more defined, and clear. It’s haunting, ominous, and, at moments, potentially frightening.

As the album progresses, you’ll feel an oddly refreshing jolt. Your preconceived notions of today’s punk scene will vanish as you realize good punk albums can still exist. Ceremony creates, rather impressively, that devilishly fierce, fast, and unforgiving sound that boils up from within.

(Matador Records, 304 Hudson St., 7th Floor, 
New York, NY 10013)