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EntertainmentPosted at: Jun 13 2022 2:44PM


Zero Hour- 'Agenda 21' Review – A progressive metal marvel

Score: 8.8/10
By Anand Venkitachalam
New Delhi, June 13 (UNI) American progressive metal veterans Zero Hour are back after a long gap of fourteen years, and are whipping out another fine dish of their melodic virtuoso technical metal.
Whether you have listened to Zero Hour before 'Agenda 21' is irrelevant, for this is simply a must for any prog fan, establishing itself as yet another wonderful progressive metal affair from the Californians.
For those unversed with the band, Zero Hour plays a blend heavy, dark, melodic, technical, progressive metal with a strong focus on instrumental skill, atmosphere and tight, creative, skilful, technical arrangements. 'Agenda 21' is loaded with groove, melody, ear popping skill, breath taking arrangements, brilliant vocals and a tight but big production with Zero Hour simply proving themselves to once again be a powerhouse in the progressive metal genre.
The band often proves themselves like a mix of Fates Warning, Dream Theater and Symphony X, sounding like all of them and yet like neither of them, as their tone matches Fates Warning though the sheer focus on instrumental skill borders on the classic Dream Theater or the neoclassical symphonic metal touches of Symphony X, but has a big creative splinter sticking out to identify Zero Hour as something else entirely.
Starting off with the biggest most epic track on this album, the 14 minute “Democide”, is simply perfect. Entering riff town, “Democide” features tight metal grooves and heavy riffs alternating between a clean ambience and arpeggios and complex chord progressions. The end result is a beautifully paced and dynamic record, full of mesmerizing playing and audacious complexity which is at the same time accessible enough for most people, if they are willing to give the time.
“Technocracy” sounds like an ode to early prog metal pioneers Queensryche, though backed by even more technical work. Opening with fat meaty riffs, the real standout here is the awesome bass work, the vocals are awesome, the drum fills are concise, the guitar work dynamic, it is a brilliant track.
Then we come to “Stigmata”, a nine-minute monster with some great rhythmic work and executed deftly. The electronic sounds also really help in enhancing the atmosphere while bringing in even more of the awesome complex and dextrous arrangements . And while the metal sections are great, it is the mellow vocal and piano sections that form the crux of the whole song, thus creating an even greater impact when the metal comes in.
“Memento Mori” is the closest to a ballad the album has. It is mellower, quieter and a more relaxed track overall that pulls you in with simpler, but magnificently crafted gorgeous melodies throughout. The ballsy melodic metal riffs at the end of the song only make it better. The song has an overall depressive yet morosely serene tone which can just make the listener lost in a realm of swirling stars symbolic of the never ending river stream of human emotions.
Then you have the title track, which is a fine piece overall, featuring some killer riffs and vocals, though overall this is the track that has the least of anything outstanding. Then we have the final track “Patient Zero” which is one of the best segments of the album and a great way to end the album. The song features a nice balance between great vocals and delicate progressive instrumentation, soaring melodies that shift to the realm of the more technical side of prog metal. “Patient Zero” has the ability to build up and end on a more than satisfying conclusion.
So in conclusion, “Agenda 21” is strong, inspired, passionate and original, definitely a technical marvel. What holds the album back is that at many points barring “Democide” and “Memento Mori”, the album goes off on a rather linear path, structurally and sonically sounding the same at some points, which can at repeat listens even make it boring at times.
But if the high score is any indicator then obviously no, “Agenda 21” is far from boring, and is neither even slightly bad or lacklustre, just a bit repetitive at times and that is a bit of a turn off at repeat listens. But Zero Hour is still going out strong and fresh, and ready to unleash a power house of sexy prog metal that will knock you flat out.

Highlights: “Democide”, “Memento Mori”, “Stigmata” “Patient Zero”
UNI ANV RN
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