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!