ZONA DE SILENCIO

Agora is a little known progressive metal band from Mexico , formed in late 90,s and haveing 2 studio albums and an acustic release so far. This is their second album from 2005 named Zona de silencio issued at Gravis records. Well what we have here, another DT follower, the music has influences from Awake era of DT and even some Fates Warning moments here and there, not bad realy, but I expected more, because the potential is at highest level, the ideas suffers little bit. The music is uptempo with couple of exceptions, very solid musicianship with plenty of good moments, the originality is zero, but the album needs to be discovered by prog metal fans only for how great these musicians play and how easy handle the instruments, awesome. Some very fine keyboards moments interluded with the guitar, a very good vocalist Eduardo Contreras who has a powerful voice with great range, on the slow pieces like Sólo En El Viento is awesome, only piano and his voice, excellent combination in this context and because the album is sung in spanish is another highlight for sure. The faster and more uptempo piece like Una Sola Palabra, title track, Persiste , opening tune 365 or maybe the best piece from here Dunas De Mar are well written pieces, competent playing , catchy arrangements but no more then that, something is missing overall, still I manage to listen more then 3 times this album to catch the whole atmosphere and all is about. The tracks are short, I mean all are under 6 min with exception last tune Dunes de mar, but in only 4-5 min Agora succeded to capture the whole progressive metal essence, is a good thing for sure, but if the piece were developed little further , in musical terms, then were bean a far better album, I guess. Still overall a good album , 3 stars but I can,t give more then that, maybe 3,5 in some parts realy. A pleasent journey in the end but one with some bumps here and there.