THE HUNTED

It didn't take long for Mile Marker Zero to establish their own unique style, especially if you consider that this release came out shortly after the new lineup finally got into place! The Hunted is a five track EP that gives a versatile coverage of all aspects of the band's style. The 7 minute long opening number, titled The Keeper, really draws us into the experience of progressive metal mixed with very distinct mid-'90 alternative rock music flavor and the band surely sticks to their guns throughout the rest of the material.

Even though I personally have never been a huge fan alternative rock, seeing it as somewhat of an unholy offspring of the early '90s Grunge, there is still plenty to enjoy here! Mile Marker Zero do offers their listeners an epic-styled, approach on quite a few occasions, without making the results sound cheesy like many of so called Progressive Metal acts seem to do these days. Dave Alley might sometimes come off as trying to embody the persona of Scott Stapp, but that might just be my prejudice taking the best of me. Well, I guess you'll have to give songs like Plead My Case and Surrender a spin to actually see where you stand on this whole issue!

The definite crown jewel of The Hunted EP comes right towards its end with the 7 minute title track. This is easily the most progressive piece of music that Mile Marker Zero delivers on this release and it will guaranty to make the fans scream for more. Others, more conservative of us, will probably just shrug their shoulders and move on. Since I'm still undecided as to whether I'm a fan or not, let's keep things at good, but non-essential rating.

**** star songs: The Keeper (7:01) Agoraphobia (5:55) The Haunted (7:12)

*** star songs: Plead My Case (3:49) Surrender (4:10)