Progressive Metal
United States
A young progressive metal band from the San Francisco Bay Area, ZERO HOUR is largely the product of two brothers: Jasun Tipton (guitars) and Troy Tipton (bass). Drummer Mike "Mikey" Guy joined early on, but the band went through a number of singers and keyboardists in their early days. Finally the band discovered computer programmer Eric Rosvold, whose powerful voice and commanding technique was a perfect match for ZERO HOUR's powerful, dark, and complex progressive metal.
Their debut CD was recorded in 1997, despite losing a keyboardist to carpel-tunnel syndrome. Session players Matt Guillory (DALI'S DILEMMA) and Phillip Bennett (ENCHANT) were brought in to do keys on the debut, which featured progressive metal easily recognizable to the DREAM THEATER/FATES WARNING fans. Despite the familiarity, ZERO HOUR made themselves stand out with top notch writing and performances, including an epic suite that truly showed of Erik Rosvold's strong vocal talent, reminding of both Bruce Dickinson (IRON MAIDEN) for power and Maynard Keenan (TOOL) for intensity. The debut was released independently and sold so well that the band was out of copies and had to re-press it a few times. The band also placed the album on their website to strengthen their exposure, and sold many copies of their debut CD this way.
Years of shopping their debut CD to labels had made the band very angry with the music scene, and that anger led to the writing of material for a second album. Once again self-financed and produced by the band's friend Dino Alden, "The Towers of Avarice" was optioned by the new Sensory label (an offshoot of The Laser's Edge) for publishing worldwide in 2001. The new album showed a large change from the band's excellent but somewhat generic debut: a far darker, heavier edge, with little to no keyboards, supported a concept album about people fighting against oppression in a dystopian future ruled by an oligarchy. The music is heavy and quite complex, though repetition is an issue at times. Still, the album as a whole works wonderfully, producing an oppressive, powerful atmosphere that eventually gives way to relief as victory is achieved... at considerable cost.
After the band's success with "Towers," Sensory helped them re-release their debut in the form of the 2003 "Metamorphosis," which adds a few demo tracks and alternate version as well as a remastering of the original album. Since then ZERO HOUR has been working on and recording new material for a third album, predicted to debut in early 2005.
"The Towers of Avarice" is strongly recommended for fans of very complex progressive music who can tolerate very heavy guitar work.
Matthew Harper, USA
ALBUMS:
2001 - THE TOWERS OF AVARICE
Musicians:
- Mike Guy / drums, percussion
- Erik Rosvold / lead vocals
- Jasun Tipton / guitars
- Troy Tipton / bass
1. The towers of avarice (7:52)
2. The subterranean (4:11)
3. Stratagem (8:06)
4. Reflections (3:56)
5. Demise and vestige (15:47)
6. The ghosts of dawn (5:30)
Total Time: 45:22
Look!!
