Our first Review for DARK DECEIVER!!!

[Eyesore]

I gotta say, it used to annoy me that reviewers would compare every prog band to Dream Theater. Now Meshuggah has somehow become the new Dream Theater when it comes to reviewer reference. As you see above, some reviewers are comparing ZH to both! Haha.

I guess I don't hear it. I find Meshuggah to be plodding, boring, and monotonous. It disturbs me to see so many new prog-metal CDs being compared to these guys.

[ZHJ&T]

I'm A fan of Meshuggah and I think they just have a sound all their own. I think we sound totally different than Meshuggah but it's a good complimment because I dig the band......METAL!!

Here's another review.

http://therighttorock.com/?p=278

Zero Hour - Dark Deceiver

I’ve always appreciated a band that takes their musicianship seriously, and Zero Hour is one of those bands. These guys are amazing musicians and it’s apparent from the first note to the last on their new release, Dark Deceiver. Zero Hour was formed in 1993 in San Francisco, and this marks the 6th release from the band. They are a progressive band with lots of punch - I swear this is the most brutal progressive music I ever laid ears on. If you could imagine the brutality of Divine Heresy mixed with the musical skill of Dream Theater you would be close.
Dark Deceiver has a variety of styles represented on it in the form of heavy aggressive riffs with technical amazing musicianship. The CD has 9 tracks of pure virtuosity, which includes a killer bass solo from bassist Troy Tipton. Troy is a master of the humble 4 string and this guy truly wails. Guitarist Jasun Tipton is just a plain monster. His style is like a mix of Steve Vai and Marty Friedman, and boy can this guy can rip. Check out their site to see it first hand. Jason has a nice heavy sound that gives his riffs a crisp, crunchy sound. Meanwhile, vocalist Chris Salinas has a formidable set of pipes and is very versatile. His high vocals are reminiscent of Geoffe Tate (Queensryche) while his lower vocals sound similar to Brandon Boyd (Incubus). Yeah, I know.
The songs of Dark Deceiver are dark, complex, and brutal yet melodic. Chock full of killer riffs and a strong progressive vibe this CD should have prog fans frothing at the mouth (well, more than usual). The only downside to the CD is that all of this virtuosity might throw some listeners off with the experimentation that goes on in some of the tracks. I think the band is strongest when they take a more straightforward approach. They definitely have a knack for intertwining satisfyingly melodic passages into their songs which will keep you craving more.
Bottom Line: Progressive music played more brutal than you’ve ever heard before by superior musicians.

Standout Tracks: Inner Spirit, Resurrection, The Temple Within and Lies

[batmura]

Originally Posted by Eyesore

I guess I don't hear it. I find Meshuggah to be plodding, boring, and monotonous. It disturbs me to see so many new prog-metal CDs being compared to these guys.

If you don't hear how some of ZH's riff work is influenced by Meshuggah, and more importantly you find them monotonous, which is the very last word you could use to describe their music, then yes, you don't get it.

Meshuggah are one of the godliest and MOST ORIGINAL bands around. And there's nothing wrong with drawing paralles between them and Zero Hour.

[Eyesore]

Originally Posted by batmura

If you don't hear how some of ZH's riff work is influenced by Meshuggah, and more importantly you find them monotonous, which is the very last word you could use to describe their music, then yes, you don't get it.

Meshuggah are one of the godliest and MOST ORIGINAL bands around. And there's nothing wrong with drawing paralles between them and Zero Hour.

Meh. I find nothing Meshuggah has done to be compelling. Maybe the guys in ZH are influenced by the band, but I hear perfection when I listen to ZH. I hear nothing even close to that in Meshuggah. And trust me, with a collection of over 5,000 albums, from folk to hip hop to black metal, I am no close-minded music fan. I'd love to like the band, but they do nothing for me and I find them to be ridiculously overrated and boring.

My choice of saying "maybe I don't get it" wasn't meant to be literal. There is no such thing as not "getting" something in music. It's all opinion. Neither of us is right. Or wrong.

[ZHJ&T]

Here's a review from Lords Of Metel. Lords of Metal has been around for a very long time and is an essential webzine out in the Neatherlands for the METAL genres. It's in Dutch and we recived A score of 87 out 100.

Zero Hour - Dark Deceiver
Sensory

archiveer onder Prog / Sympho metal

Evil Dr. Smith: Eindelijk! Liefhebbers van Zero Hours meest technische en ondoordringbare album 'The Towers Of Avarice' (2001) hebben nu eindelijk de opvolger waar ze al jaren naar smachten. In de tussenliggende jaren liet Zero Hour met diverse albums al menig bandje een poepie ruiken hoe hoogbegaafde progmetal gespeeld dient te worden, maar deed dit met meer vloeiend, melodieuzer en toegankelijker materiaal, met als voorlopig hoogtepunt het voorlaatste album 'Specs Of Pictures Burnt Beyond'.

'Dark Deceiver' opent echter met 'Power To Believe', een zeven minuten durende wervelwind van rare maatsoorten, tegendraadse ritmes en tempowisselingen in de beste Watchtower-traditie, maar die een stuk pakkender, spannender en vooral ook beter geproduceerd zijn dan Ron Jarzombeks nieuwere bandjes Spastic Ink en Blotted Science. Yngwie Malmsteen? Meshuggah? Wibi Soerjadi? Pfff, been there, done that. Zero Hour is the shit! En dan weten ze die chaos verdomme nog te verweven met gevoel en emotie ook! Die mannen hebben vast geen vingerkootjes. Fanatiekelingen met een fetisj voor freaky riffjes die nu met een bobbel in de broek en het zweet op het voorhoofd driftig het album proberen te downloaden (ga 'em gewoon kopen, gek!) zullen na dit nummer misschien toch van een koude kermis thuiskomen, want na deze exercitie in toonladdermishandeling neemt de band hier en daar wat gas terug, ten faveure van meer melodie en emotie. Vooral in die melodische stukken komen de kwaliteiten van zanger Chris Salinas nadrukkelijk bovendrijven, waarbij Geoff Tate al nagelbijtend en tandenknarsend zal moeten erkennen dat er iemand anders met zijn stem vandoor is gegaan.

Niet dat Zero Hour er zich na het openingsnummer speltechnisch makkelijk vanaf maakt, want daarvoor zitten de broertjes Tipton veel te kundig en complex aan hun snaren te plukken en drijven ze hierbij drummer Mike Guy tot het uiterste. Luister maar eens naar de brute openingriffs in het titelnummer, een van de hardste nummer uit de carriËre van Zero Hour en niet alleen daarom een hoogtepunt van het album. Of naar de krankzinnig eigenwijze riffwaterval van het korte 'Resurrection' dat helaas wel een (te) abrupt einde kent. Het epicentrum van het album is natuurlijk de twaalf minuten durende progmetalmarathon 'Inner Spirit' en daar zitten meer ideeÎn in verwerkt dan in het titelnummer van Dream Theaters 'Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence'. De combinatie van de hoekige, tegendraadse riffs en de melodische zang van Salinas pakt erg eigenzinnig uit in het eerste deel, terwijl in het tweede deel de band weer aansluiting zoekt bij de sferische progmetal van Fates Warning.

Het album is strak en hard geproduceerd (wederom door uitgediende Dino Alden die zich tegenwoordig alleen maar inlaat met de albums van Marty Friedman en Zero Hour), maar waar veel moderne metalbands een zelfde sound nastreven en vervallen in een klinisch, onpersoonlijke geluid, daar ligt er bij Zero Hour een organische zweem over het geluid, waardoor de muziek de nodige warmte uitstraalt en tegelijkertijd de ballen uit je broek beukt. Het album is verder gedecoreerd met twee instrumentaaltjes. Bij het korte intermezzo 'Tendonitis' dwarrelen de basnootjes als een combinatie van 'Pulling Teeth' en Joey de Mayo's interpretatie van 'Flight Of The Bumblebee' door de ruimte en het vervreemdende 'Severed Angel' is met een collage van geluidsamples en een schijnbaar willekeurige opeenstapeling van een en dezelfde moddervette beukriff een wat merkwaardige afsluiter van het album. Wederom een verdomd indrukwekkend album van de twins of technometal en al behaalt dit album net een beetje minder punten dan zijn indrukwekkende voorganger, laat dat niemand beletten om achter dit album aan te gaan.

Evil Dr. Smith diagnostiseert: 87/100 (toelichting)

http://www.zerohourweb.com

[progmetaldan]

If I could read Dutch, I'd no doubt be extremely impressed...

[FataMorgana]

Here's the Dutch review AFTER Babel Fish translation....some really funny statements thanks to Babel Fish.


Evil Dr. Smith: At last! Liefhebbers of Zero Hours most technical and impenetrable album ' The Towers or Avarice ' (2001) has now at last the continuator where they languish for years to. In the intervening years Zero Hour with several albums already many bands let smell poepie how hoogbegaafde progmetal must become played, but this did ' Specs or Pictures Burnt Beyond ' with more fluently, melodieuzer and more accessible material, with as provisional peak the second last album.

' Dark Deceiver ' open however with ' Power To Believe ', seven minutes lasting tornado of strange at, contrary rhythms and tempowisselingen in the best watchtower tradition, but that a piece more catching, tense and especially also improve are produced then Ron Jarzombeks newer bands shovel tic Ink and Blotted Science. Yngwie Malmsteen? Meshuggah? Wibi Soerjadi? Pfff, leg there, done that. Zero Hour are the shit! And then they can that chaos interweave verdomme still with feeling and emotion also! Those men have permanently no finger phalanges. Fanatics with fetisj for freaky riffjes who try download the album now with a bobbel in the trousers and the sweat on the face impetuously (will buy em simply, crazily!) after this number perhaps nevertheless of a cold village fair will come home, because after this exercise in tone ladder maltreatment the link takes here and there what gas, at faveure of more melody and emotion. Especially in those melodic pieces the qualities of zanger Chris Salinas come float expressly, where Geoff Tate recognise will have already biting one's nails and grinding one's teeth that someone else with its voice has gone vandoor.

Not that Zero Hour make themselves there technically after the opening number easy as from, because for that the broertjes tip barrel too skilled and complex to their snaren and float they sit pick much drummer Mike Guy to the extrême. Lustre to the brutal openingriffs in the title number, of the hardest number from the carriËre of Zero Hour and not only for this reason a peak of the album. Or to the lunatically eigenwijze riffwaterval of the short ' Resurrection ' that unfortunately, however, (te) know abrupt end. The epicentre of the album is of course the twelve minutes lasting progmetalmarathon ' Inner spirit ' and there sits more ideeÎn in processes than in the title number of Dream theatres ' Six Degrees or Inner Turbulence '. The combination of the angular, contrary riffs and the melodic song of Salinas unpacks a lot eigenzinnig in the first part, whereas in the Second part the link zoekt connection at the spherical progmetal of Fates Warning.

The album has been tightly produced and rapidly (again by served out Dino eels which nowadays only meddle themselves with the albums of Marty Friedman and Zero Hour), but where much modern metalbands pursue same a sound and expire in a clinical, impersonal sound, there there an organic zweem concerning the sound at Zero Hour, as a result of which music radiates the necessary heat, lies and the balls from your trousers batter at the same time. The album has been further decorated with two instrumentaaltjes. At the short interlude ' Tendonitis ' the basnootjes as a combination of ' Pulling Teeth ' whirl and Joey the Mayo's interpretation of ' Flight or The Bumblebee ' by the space and the vervreemdende ' Severed sting ' are with a collage of geluidsamples and a seemingly random stacking of and the same mud-fat beukriff what remarkable clincher of the album. An again flatlied refuse impressive album of the twins or technometal and already gains this album exactly a beetje less points than its impressive predecessor, leaves that contract nobody prevent behind this album.



Evil Dr. Smith diagnostiseert: 87/100 (explanation)

[Kenneth R.]

haahaha excellent

[progmetaldan]

So much hilarity in that!

Pfff, leg there, done that.

[ZHJ&T]

http://www.metalcentre.com/webzine.php?p=reviews&nr=2762&lang=eng

ZERO HOUR - “Dark Deceiver”
Sensory 2008

Music: Progressive
Country: USA
Web site: www.zerohourweb.com
Cool Songs: Power to Believe, Tendonitis, The Passion of Words


Northern California-based ZERO HOUR have proved their selves to be one of the more intriguing bands in the progressive metal fold. They take standard conventions of progressive music—complex timing, high pitch vocals and sweeping scales—and shoot them with a heavy dose of anabolic steroids. “Dark Deceiver,” their sixth studio album, combines features from the many branches of technical music. They mix the speed and violent instrumentation expressed in progressive death with the off kilter, repeated notes of MESHUGGAH, while sticking to prog’s roots with powerful, high-reaching vocals.

The gathering of many technical styles seems to empower much of the weaknesses that some of the lesser bands of this style suffer. Gear geeks and guitar nerds will certainly marvel at the intricate string work and bewildering time patterns. Twin brothers, guitarist Jasun Tipton and Bassist Troy Tipton have this chemistry, which creates impeccable timing.

Each complex rhythm may prove hard to follow, but most often they repeat these rhythms, so the confusion eventually becomes revelation. The group changes their patterns enough to keep the repetition from stagnating. Most importantly, they manage to accomplish a high degree of shred while cementing their stance in the foundation of extreme metal.

“Power to Believe,” opens the album and in a telling way. ZERO HOUR runs a clinic on how to make technical metal on this track. The main rhythms fall into repetitive, off timed patterns, performed by a band with members who seemingly following a separate conductor, yet the whirl wind of algebraic scales displayed by each member are somehow connected. It is easy to zone out on this rhythm, yet Troy Tipton’s swift bass line breaks the pattern, which may induce jolting, body spasms.

ZERO HOUR does not rely on a certain player to carry the band, and the mix reflects each member’s exceptional talent. The mix plays a role in helping each instrument ring clearly, but so does their off key notes during many of the verses. Every member is blessed with a ridiculous amount of a talent, but Troy Tipton’s bass licks are a definitive characteristic of the band’s sound, which is paramount to a band greatly influenced by CYNIC (their MySpace lists CYNIC as their sole influence).

Like a hummingbird flapping its wings, Tipton’s fingers move with such speed they bring a humming sound to his instrument. Tipton gets the spotlight in the aptly-titled “Tendonitis.” The rapid scales his fingers navigate on this instrumental bring to mind MANOWAR’s Joey DeMaio performing “Sting of the Bumblebee.”

“Dark Deceiver” should be a favorite listen for many of the prog fans. When every member of a band displays the technical magic of ZERO HOUR, one can only assume this band will appeal to students of technical music. ZERO HOUR’s heavy brand should bring in a few fans outside of the prog circle. ZERO HOUR is definitely a band to watch.

[spatch]

Great review
I finally got the CD I am simply stunned this is a brutal and yet at times deeply moving piece of work. I still trying to take it all in and this may take a few good weeks to really sink in.
I hope you get the opportunty to promote this work ao it goes to a wider audience.
The band has a whole cohesive whole intense at times with lyrics that have a good sense of depth. Also the way the brutality is mixed with beautifual and atmospheric moments giving them a deeper emotional feeling.
I am very very impressed

[ZHJ&T]

That's awesome my brutha and so STOKED you dig it Spatch. I always dig talking shop with you bro because you're into so much music man. YOU BRO and thanks for letting us know your thoughts on DD.

METAL MY BRO!!

Jasun

[spatch]

Yeah always good to chat
Hope to see you guys in Autumn

[Archaic_Cessation]

It's alright, I would say 2 stars out of 5....
I'm kidding. 5/5

[Squall45]

I can't believe I just found out about Zero Hour but I'm loving everything I've heard so far. I'm going to get to Dark Deceiver when I'm done with their previous work.

[ZHJ&T]

Right on Squall45 and welcome to the ZH board bro.

METAL MY BRO!!

Jasun

[Squall45]

Thanks for the welcome man.

[mark b]

There is ONLY 1 zero hour!!! Great reviews guys

[progmetaldan]

Righto, picked up the album today, so as I listen to it for only the second time, I shall share my initial thoughts...

First up, I must admit, seeing the cover in the store, were I not already a fan, it may have been confusing and caused me perhaps to think of the band more in the death-metal vein, and as a prog-fan, may have missed out on an absolute masterpiece. The artwork is great, but I don't think it quite suits the mood of the music... Just seems a bit too br00tal imo, but hey maybe that's just me... The band pics and the booklet layout is cool though... Anyway, onto the music...

Brilliant production, no complaints there, great mix etc. The chops have certainly increased on this album, Troy's bass playing is particularly spectacular, but as a guitarist, it is Jasun's extra solo passages which I appreciate the most! Lots of killer arpeggios right throughout the album to air-guitar to! Awesome work mate, hopefully this album will help get you some more recognition out there cos you're a killer player man! Great drumming and vocals by Mikey and Chris as well of course.

My favourite tracks initially would have to be 'The Power To Believe' and 'Inner Spirit'. TPTB is a powerful opening, with killer riffs and Troy shredding away on the bass in the background, very cool, and Jasun's lead playing in the middle section just slays! Lots of arpeggiaic mayhem, from both guitar and bass (there's a new word for ya ). Inner Spirit is epic, which I love, the whole tune is magnificent, creates the feel of the journey really draws the listener in, and reckon you guys should do more of. Temple Within is great as well, as is every track really. Overall a heavier feel, but I don't think too ridiculous, still an excellent Zero Hour balance. The instrumentals are cool, but just that, they didn't do much for me (though Troy's bass solo is obviously incredible) I think I preferred the ones on Specs, which sounded a bit more like actual songs.

Perhaps one of my only other 'complaints' (which is very minor, and I'm only giving them for constructive purposes) is that a couple of the songs feel like they finish just a little bit too soon... I think mainly 'Dark Deceiver' and 'Lies' both seem to build and feel like they're about to shoot off into a sick instrumental section or something, but then they just end... Its probably just the prog-geek in my coming out, but they just seem a little short to me... But killer tracks regardless. The first half is my favourite, but who knows, that might change... Love it.

So there ya go, another killer album, fantastic work fellas, and thanks for all the hard work you've put in, us fans really appreciate it! If you can ever make it over to Australia, WHEREVER in Australia that is, I'll do my utmost to make it along to a show, and I'm sure this newest album will grow on me the more I listen to it and become a firm favourite. \m/ METAL! \m/

Dan

[ZHJ&T]

Right on Dan and glad you dig the disc bro. I would have to say "The Power to Believe" and "Inner Spirit" might be my personal faves on the disc.

Thanks everyone who's picked up a copy and we really appreciate the support.

YOU ALL RULE and have a great weekend.

Jasun

P.S. Would love to come to Australia.

[ZHJ&T]

A couple more reviews to share.http://www.vampire-magazine.com/article.php?aid=45450


ZERO HOUR (USA)
DARK DECEIVER Sensory Records
Written by Matthieu De Ronde on Tuesday 03 June, 2008. Last updated on Tuesday 03 June, 2008
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The last five or six years, Zero Hour has been regarded as one of the top progressive metal bands in the world. Especially with the release of their last two albums“A Fragile Mind“ and “Specs from Pictures Burnt Beyond”, they have stepped out of obscurity and claimed a well deserved spot in the highest rank of the genre. As it’s always a big surprise to see what the Tipton brothers come up with next, I was excited to hear their fifth album “Dark Deceiver”.

Where Zero Hour implemented a more accessible style on “Specs from Pictures Burnt Beyond”, they return to a more technical and experimental style, like on “The Towers of Avarice” but with a lot more aggression and a higher level of intensity. You can say that they mix the ramming drums and rapid-fire guitar shots that you find in extreme metal acts like Meshuggah and mix this with complex melodies, unexpected break(downs) and unique tempo changes. The album also has a very dense and dark sound, that really presses on the listener and it’s hard to let go which also shows the skill of producer Dino Alden. This atmosphere is hard to describe but somehow it feels like walking through an polluted petro-chemical site while the year’s heaviest rain cloud is starting to gather above your head. It’s impressive that a band like Zero Hour has already shown so much of itself, but still manages to come up with an almost entirely unique sound after five albums. On vocals we can still find Chris Salinas and he really fits in one hundred percent with the band now. From his superb clean vocal work, to the strange droning chanting that he uses in the epic and dynamic “Inner Spirit”, it is obvious that this is the only perfect vocalist for the ever changing dynamic music of Zero Hour.

Zero Hour’s “Dark Deceiver” is perhaps the best Zero Hour album to date. It is however a huge “grow record" so you’ll only appreciate it after a spin or five. It can also almost be a blind purchase for anyone that enjoys intense and heavy progressive metal.


http://www.rockreport.be/review.asp?id=2081

ZERO HOUR
Dark Deceiver
© 2008 Sensory Records (SR3042)
nuclear physics metal
studio album
9 tracks - TT 44:43
release date: April 29, 2008
http://www.zerohourweb.com
http://www.lasersedgegroup.com


Zero Hour has released a new album and I can tell you all right up front that it was a hard nut to crack.
The Tipton brothers have returned, after a couple of more accessible records (with obvious highlight last year’s ‘Specs Of Pictures Burnt Beyond’), to their more difficult to comprehend roots. Their latest effort can be seen as the rightful follow-up to ‘The Towers Of Avarice’. Those in the knowing will either have a sudden case of vertigo or cry tears of joy. This record, ladies & gentlemen, will separate the boys from the men, sonically speaking.
Compared to this whirlwind of riffs, typhoon-solos, breaks & tempo-changes your average Dream Theater record will sound like the latest Madonna album.
It took yours truly a couple of weeks to get into this brutal avalanche on the senses. Zero Hour’s latest effort is dark, moody, at times very aggressive & a couple of moments later deceivingly soothing. The masterpiece ‘Inner Spirit’, a mere 12 minutes long, is a good example of that. And to top everything off we are offered a strong melodic set of tonsils going by the name of Chris Salinas, straight from the Geoff Tate school of whaling. What more could you want? (KVK)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Members' opinions post your opinion

andrejmy (on 5/06/08)

Yes finally something really progressive !!
Zero Hour fantastic again.

cradle1scot (on 4/06/08)

I really cant see what all the fuss is here. Cant believe you also think this makes the averageDT sound like Madonna because DT dont make average albums...apart from 6DOIT !


VaDeR (on 4/06/08)

Again a great album that takes multiple spins to fully grasp the complexity.
Highly recommended !!!


Metalrob4662 (on 3/06/08)

Very aggressive and dark, I like this cd a lot, but something is missing for me.
But if you enjoy Progressive Metal as much as me then you should pick it up you wont be dissappionted.

snoe (on 3/06/08)

I cried tears of joy indeed. One of the true progressive metal bands out there. Way overlooked.

WOLF 359 (on 2/06/08)

The Towers Of Avarice is one of my all time favourite albums, with it's dark and aggressive music. This new album from the Tiptons' is it's natural successor and just as complex and tricky to get into. A winner from start to finish.

[progmetaldan]

Originally Posted by ZHJ&T

Right on Dan and glad you dig the disc bro. I would have to say "The Power to Believe" and "Inner Spirit" might be my personal faves on the disc.

Thanks everyone who's picked up a copy and we really appreciate the support.

YOU ALL RULE and have a great weekend.

Jasun

P.S. Would love to come to Australia.

No worries, I'm not surprised those are your favourites either, you absolutely rip on those 2 tracks especially!

Hey, if there's even a rumour of you possibly being able to come, let me know who the promoter might be and I'll do my best to help push it along, and I'm sure Mark would as well... Anyway, rock on!

[mark b]

I think you have found a new career Dan, Prog album reviewer!! Great job:


QUOTE=progmetaldan;7317709]Righto, picked up the album today, so as I listen to it for only the second time, I shall share my initial thoughts...

First up, I must admit, seeing the cover in the store, were I not already a fan, it may have been confusing and caused me perhaps to think of the band more in the death-metal vein, and as a prog-fan, may have missed out on an absolute masterpiece. The artwork is great, but I don't think it quite suits the mood of the music... Just seems a bit too br00tal imo, but hey maybe that's just me... The band pics and the booklet layout is cool though... Anyway, onto the music...

Brilliant production, no complaints there, great mix etc. The chops have certainly increased on this album, Troy's bass playing is particularly spectacular, but as a guitarist, it is Jasun's extra solo passages which I appreciate the most! Lots of killer arpeggios right throughout the album to air-guitar to! Awesome work mate, hopefully this album will help get you some more recognition out there cos you're a killer player man! Great drumming and vocals by Mikey and Chris as well of course.

My favourite tracks initially would have to be 'The Power To Believe' and 'Inner Spirit'. TPTB is a powerful opening, with killer riffs and Troy shredding away on the bass in the background, very cool, and Jasun's lead playing in the middle section just slays! Lots of arpeggiaic mayhem, from both guitar and bass (there's a new word for ya ). Inner Spirit is epic, which I love, the whole tune is magnificent, creates the feel of the journey really draws the listener in, and reckon you guys should do more of. Temple Within is great as well, as is every track really. Overall a heavier feel, but I don't think too ridiculous, still an excellent Zero Hour balance. The instrumentals are cool, but just that, they didn't do much for me (though Troy's bass solo is obviously incredible) I think I preferred the ones on Specs, which sounded a bit more like actual songs.

Perhaps one of my only other 'complaints' (which is very minor, and I'm only giving them for constructive purposes) is that a couple of the songs feel like they finish just a little bit too soon... I think mainly 'Dark Deceiver' and 'Lies' both seem to build and feel like they're about to shoot off into a sick instrumental section or something, but then they just end... Its probably just the prog-geek in my coming out, but they just seem a little short to me... But killer tracks regardless. The first half is my favourite, but who knows, that might change... Love it.

So there ya go, another killer album, fantastic work fellas, and thanks for all the hard work you've put in, us fans really appreciate it! If you can ever make it over to Australia, WHEREVER in Australia that is, I'll do my utmost to make it along to a show, and I'm sure this newest album will grow on me the more I listen to it and become a firm favourite. \m/ METAL! \m/

Dan[/quote]

[ZHJ&T]

Three more reviews.

http://www.dangerdog.com/reviews_200...-deceiver.html

Zero Hour: Dark Deceiver► HOME
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Zero Hour: Dark Deceiver
Progressive Heavy Metal
Rating: 4.5/5.0
www.zerohourweb.com
Sensory Records
www.myspace.com/zerohourband
You be a little suspicious of Zero Hour when you take a look at the album art for their latest disc, 'Dark Deceiver.' Yeah, it's more than a little creepy, more like horrific. You may wonder what kind of music is hidden in that little plastic disc in you hand. Is it some form of black metal, possibly death metal, or maybe some extreme form of thrash akin to, say, Slayer? You'd be wrong on all accounts. Zero Hour performs an exciting form of progressive metal, and yes, they are from the States. Formed by guitarist Jasun Tipton and bassist Troy Tipton, twin brothers from the San Francisco Bay Area in the 1990's, they count Fates Warning, Sieges Even, Pain of Salvation and Dream Theater as their peers and influences. 2006's interesting 'Specs of Pictures Burnt Beyond' put them on the map, more probably in Europe than here. 'Dark Deceiver' will sure solidify their status as a better and innovative progressive metal band.

To truly appreciate 'Dark Deceiver,' one must be prepared for an incredible sonic assault from the beginning. 'Power To Believe' roars at you with incredible speed with Jasun scaling the fret board like a madman. Vocalist Chris Salinas shows the extreme range of his talents as bellows and screams with perfect clarity. The title track is equally intense having a more ferocious start. But then you begin hear some changes as subtle interludes are introduced into the music. Arriving at 'Inner Spirit,' the longest and most brilliant piece, you discover the mystery of Zero Hour's fine prog metal. The first half is a tour de force of heavy progressive metal that introduces an aptly timed and beautiful interlude of calming music and smooth vocals from Salinas. Later, there is 'Tendonitis' a short yet sophisticated piece of bass guitar work. What follows is still more pleasing prog metal. Specifically, 'The Passion Of Words' ranks as another of the best on this work.

Clearly, Zero Hour is, and has been, on to something good for some time now. 'Dark Deceiver' is powerful and intense progressive metal with vision and vitality. Their recognition has been quiet and slow in coming for sometime now. This work will easily bring the world to Zero Hour's doorstep. Very recommended!


http://www.amboss-mag.de/reviews/Arc...zero-hour.html
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ZERO HOUR "Dark Deceiver" (Prog Metal)

(Sensory / Laser's Edge)

Vom letzten Album war ich gar nicht so begeistert, was vor allem daran lag, dass ich den Strukturen nicht folgen konnte und mir die Songs zu chaotisch rüberkamen. Dieses Manko konnte man jetzt beseitigen und auf "Dark Deceiver" fetzen einem die wahnsinnigsten Bassläufe um die Ohren, denen man seit CYNIC lauschen durfte. Die Songs sind erste Wahl, bieten die verschiedensten Facetten von abgedrehtem Frickelpart zur powermetallischen Ballade (in einem Lied) und trotzdem haben es die Herrschaften geschafft, die Songs sehr eingängig zu gestalten, ohne die Komplexität zu vernachlässigen. Es gibt auch genug verspielte Angeberparts, aber im Großen und Ganzen ist "Dark Deceiver" ein grandioses Album, was stilistisch irgendwie zwischen CYNIC und DREAM THEATER anzusiedeln ist! Sänger Chris Salinas ist einfach nicht von dieser Welt und bereichert den Sound der Band um so viele Stimmungen, dass ich mich an dem Werk einfach nicht satthören kann! Unbedingt anchecken sollte man "Power to Believe", das megalange "Inner Spirit" oder das komplett verrückte Instrumental "Tendonitis". Gratulation, ZERO HOUR! Webseite: www.zerohourweb.com. (chris)

Review
http://www.metalinside.de/frame.php?...ew.php?id=9694

Zero Hour - Dark Deceiver (Tipp!)

Review per Mail versenden
Progessive Metal
Label
Vertrieb
Zeit
Tracks Laser's Edge Records
Alive
44:43 min
9


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Die musikalisch-technoiden Freaks um die Brüder Jasun (Gitarre) und Troy (Bass) Tipton lassen mit „Dark Deceiver“ Album Nummer 5 auf die wohlgesinnte Frickelgemeinde los. Und diese dürfte das neue Werk von ZERO HOUR schon sehnlichst erwarten, denn es gibt nicht viele Bands, welche die Wechsel zwischen recht extremen, technisch hochversierten Gefrickel und melodischen Passagen so hinbringen wie ZERO HOUR – und das außerhalb der von KING CRIMSON & Co. inspirierten ruhigeren Kollegen sondern meist mit ordentlich Wumms und Power. Mit dem headbangenden und thrashigen „Power To Believe“ und dem kompakten, etwas verspielteren Titeltrack “Dark Deceiver” eröffnen ZERO HOUR gewohnt hochklassig. Das Highlight der Scheibe kommt dann mit dem über 12-minütige „Inner Spirit“. Hier zeigen ZERO HOUR alle Facetten ihrer Kunst, vom technischen WATCHTOWER beeinflussten Komplex-Metal bis zu angenehm ruhigen, immer düster daherkommenden Passagen. Das folgende „Resurrection“ erinnert atmosphärisch gar an KATATONIA - „The Temple Within“ mit seinem Ohrwurmpart und das atmosphärisch dunkle „The Passion Of Words“ passen nahtlos zu dem von „Inner Spirit“ vorgegebene Sound für ZERO HOUR 2008. Dazu noch Sänger Chris Salinas, welcher mit seinem einerseits herzerwärmenden Gesangspassagen und andererseits hohen, fordernden Stimmeinlagen für zusätzlich Abwechslung und melodische Momenten im Riff- und Breakgewitter sorgt. Allen die von den göttlichen PSYCHOTIC WALTZ bis NEVERMORE sich einen breiten Horizont erarbeitet haben, dürften auch mit der neuen ZERO HOUR erfahrungsreiche Stunden verbringen. Und obwohl ZERO HOUR gerne etwas mehr Gefühl in ihre Songs mit einbringen dürften und auch die eigene Referenz „A Fragile Mind“ trotz technischer noch ausgereiftere Kompositionen nicht toppen können- Höchstnoten hat auch „Dark Deceiver“ fraglos verdient. (hardy)

[Kenneth R.]

All these great reviews!