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.

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Posted Friday, June 24, 2011 | Review this album | Report (Review #468551)

SPEEDY GONZALES has some great amigos which have choosed to play some powerful progressive metal in a band called AGORA!MEXICO exports here a product guaranteed ,a sure value in progressive metal comunity under the nice name AGORA!Not to make the confusion with the American band AGHORA led b ... (read more)

Report this review (#256910) | Posted by Ovidiu | Saturday, December 19, 2009 | Review Permanlink

The best production in Mexico. There are other good mexican bands but these guys have the money to make it sound good. The music is great, not excessive virtuosity, yet technical. A lot heavier than the first one, but I believe the voice on "Segundo Pasado" has more feeling than in this new ... (read more)

Report this review (#70383) | Posted by | Friday, February 24, 2006 | Review Permanlink

The similarities with dream theater is evident in some moments of the album, but I really thing it's not a copy. Agora is just a group of that style... I didn't listen to the first album so i don't have a point of comparision but What i have to say is that Agora is one of the better Metal/Pro ... (read more)

Report this review (#61650) | Posted by fcomeba | Sunday, December 25, 2005 | Review Permanlink

This is such a great effort for this 6 fellow country-men for adding new things to the Progressive Metal. Being DT fans, you might expect adaptation and neat rythm changes throughout the album, but at the same time, exploring new sounds and they do it really well. Here I'll mention track b ... (read more)

Report this review (#49033) | Posted by | Wednesday, September 28, 2005 | Review Permanlink

The best CD of Agora until now.... Heavier and more progressive than the last one Segundo Pasado, the mix is better and the quality of recording..... Now we can see some amazing solos from the guitar players, more progressive drums, the voice of Eduardo Contreras like in the last CD is amazing ... (read more)

Report this review (#37878) | Posted by | Monday, June 27, 2005 | Review Permanlink

Agora es uno de los mejores grupos de progresivo que existe en la actualidad en México. Creo que este disco de Agora salió mucho mas progresivo que el anterior(Segundo Pasado). Es un muy buen material para todos aquellos amantes del buen progresivo. A la grabación le sigue faltando todavía per ... (read more)

Report this review (#35194) | Posted by | Friday, June 3, 2005 | Review Permanlink

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