SPECS OF PICTURES BURNT BEYOND

"Specs of Pictures Burnt Beyond" is the fourth full-length studio album by US, California based progressive metal act Zero Hour. The album was released in October 2006 through Sensory Records. It´s the successor to "A Fragile Mind" from September 2005, but although only one year has passed since the release of the predecessor, the band have had time to change lead vocalist as Fred Marshall (who only had a one album stint with Zero Hour) has been replaced by former Power of Omens singer Chris Salinas. The usual suspects in the lineup are guitarist Jasun Tipton, bassist Troy Tipton, and drummer Mike Guy.

While "A Fragile Mind (2005)" was a both heavy and pretty dark album, it soon becomes clear that the material on "Specs of Pictures Burnt Beyond" are generally of a darker and even more heavy quality. There are still melodic moments on the album and Zero Hour are still masters of balancing the heavy, the complex, and the melodic/atmospheric. Salinas has a strong voice and a dynamic delivery. Able to sing both high pitched and melodic, but also raw and mid-range. To my ears his voice and singing style is very similar to Ray Alder (Fates Warning, Engine, Redemption), and as a result some of the tracks have a strong resemblence to especially the heavy and technical late 90s/early 00s releases by Fates Warning. Some of the vocal- and lyric lines on a track like album opener "Face the Fear" come close to Fates Warning worship, but then you have a track like the ultra dark and heavy "Evidence of the Unseen", which doesn´t sound like Fates Warning at all, and although I felt compelled to mention the influence, it´s generally just what it is...an influence.

Zero Hour are predominantly a unique sounding act. The heavy riffs and rhythms, the fast guitar/bass playing in unconventional time signatures, the dark atmosphere and strong vocals, all come together in a sound that is distinct and stand out on the scene (save for a few obvious influences shining through here and there). "Specs of Pictures Burnt Beyond" is a well produced release featuring a powerful, detailed, and professional sounding production job, which suits the material well. So, upon conclusion "Specs of Pictures Burnt Beyond" is another high quality progressive metal release from Zero Hour. The obvious Fates Warning influence may be an obstacle for some but as the riffing and drumming style are as unique as they are you´ll never be in doubt that it´s a Zero Hour album you´re listening to. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.

(Originally posted on Metal Music Archives).

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