DARK DECEIVER

Here in Dark Deceiver we can listen to Zero Hour finally finding a sound that's more unique, original and fresh. Unlike their previous albums there's not much of the rhythm repetition especially like Specs of Pictures Burnt Beyond or even The Towers of Avarice. There's a more experimental edge in Dark Deceiver Here like for example we can listen to Chris Salinas uses different styles and effects to create a wide variety of sounds and atmosphere making the songs have a more distinguishable sound. Although the songs have lost a bit of melodic flavor during the heavy parts the softer parts have gain more of this attribute, though they can be found less in the songs. Even with this factor to their side the guitar sweeps sound very similar to those on previous album, making the album bit annoying and repetitive as usual.

Dark Deceiver is filled with great moments and melodic times with the incredible vocals by Chris Salinas. Songs like The Power to Believe, Resurrection, The Temple Within and Lies are filled with tons of good moments typical to the band especially the last two. Yet my favorites would have to be Inner Spirit and The Passion of Words. In the first we can listen to Chris use an effect that makes his voice sound like James Labrie on The Great Debate (Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence). The song really starts to get good at the time 5:52. At this point the song gets really "addictive" (at least for me) and Chris Salinas voice could have never sound better. The Passion of Words on the other hand sounds aggressive and really different from your typical Zero Hour sound especially in the middle part. As for the rest songs they sound like fill ups like Tendonitis which is a bass solo with a strange kid talking and Severed Angels which is just noise in the beginning and the ending with a brutal riff.

In overall this album is big step for Zero Hour. It sounds fresh yet nothing innovating but filled with good moment to make it worth a while. If you're a fan Zero Hour definitely get it unless you're still stuck with Towers of Avarice.

A well earned 4.4!

4.5 stars.This well may be their heaviest and most complex record yet. I still feel that "Specs Of Pictures Burnt Beyond" is their best, but I also feel that each one of their studio albums are must haves if your into heavy / complex metal. I love them all. Chris Salinas is back on vocals while the Tipton twins and drummer Mike Guy have been constants from the beginning.

"The Power To Believe" is heavy right out of the gate. This is great ! Thunderous drums 2 minutes in. Jasun starts to rip it up in his unique style 3 minutes in. The vocals and soundscape after 5 minutes are killer. Chris really offers up some different vocal styles on this album. Blistering guitar solo after 6 minutes. A childs voice ends it. "Dark Deceiver" is so heavy to open it's ridiculous. Haha. Screaming vocals and scorching guitar create organised chaos. Tipton's guitar solos are over the top ! It settles down to a beautiful section with reserved vocals, almost like a drink of cool water on a hot and humid day. The heat comes back though, and it's blazing hot. Another calm ends the song. This final section really recalls OPETH's mellow moments. "Inner Spirit" is again hard and heavy to start. Killer bass and the guitar is fantastic. Vocals after 2 minutes. This is ground shakingly heavy. A calm with reserved vocals 6 minutes in. This is like heaven after 6 minutes of hell. Haha.This is such an incredible section that goes on until 10 minutes in when the heaviness is back. The lyrics are so spiritual and uplifting, not just on this song but throughout. I love the guitar and bass just before the crushing drums come back. Ripping guitar after 10 1/2 minutes.

"Resurrection" again has such cool lyrics. This song contrasts the heavy instrumental passages with the lighter vocal sections. "Tendonitis" opens and closes with a child speaking (some humerous words) and in between we get this mind blowing bass solo from Troy. "The Temple Within" is heavy to open (what else ?) as Chris comes in on vocals, he sings powerfully after a minute. A calm 4 minutes in. It's so emotional just before 5 minutes. Incredible lyrics. "Lies" opens with riffs as Chris cries out. He uses different vocal styles on this one. Pulverisingly heavy 3 minutes in. "The Passion Of Words" features some amazing bass and vocals. A calm before 2 1/2 minutes is quickly crushed. Great track. "Severed Angel" is an instrumental of different, distant industrial sounds (drums / bass) that build as they come and go. Amazing !

So darn close to 5 stars for me. I may grow to like this even better than "Specs Of Pictures Burnt Beyond". Very cool to see it clock in at around 44 minutes too.