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ZERO HOUR Returns to the Technical Prog Metal Realm With “No Man’s Land”
Thirteen-Minute Twists
California progressive metal band ZERO HOUR will release its new EP “No Man’s Land” on October 16. The release, which features two new songs alongside instrumental versions of both tracks, will arrive independently through the band’s own label, CynNormal Lab Recordings. The first song, 'Codes Of Violence', is already available to stream.
At the heart of the EP are two new tracks that once again put the band’s technical and dynamic songwriting approach on full display. Running for more than 13 minutes each, both 'Codes Of Violence' and 'No Man’s Land' stand out as compositions that continue ZERO HOUR’s long-form, multi-layered approach rather than simply serving as a short comeback release.
Guitarist Jasun Tipton describes the new material as “very dynamic, heavy, and dreamy,” with plenty of twists and turns throughout the compositions. Tipton also says that keyboardist Jeremy Villucci, who has joined the band’s new lineup, takes the material to another level with his performance.
The lineup on “No Man’s Land” features founding member and guitarist Jasun Tipton and vocalist Erik Rosvold, alongside bassist Andreas Blomqvist and keyboardist Jeremy Villucci. Drums were recorded by Roel van Helden, who joined the band as a session musician for this new chapter. Van Helden’s connection with ZERO HOUR goes back years; he first became close with the band after Sun Caged and ZERO HOUR shared the stage at a Liquid Tension Experiment show.
For the new EP, the drums were recorded by Kai Stahlenberg at Kohlekeller Studio, while Matt LaPlant handled mixing and mastering. The artwork was created by Wayne Joyner, who has also worked with acts including Dream Theater, Ayreon, and Devin Townsend.
ZERO HOUR’s return follows the band’s 2022 release “Agenda 21”. Formed in the San Francisco Bay Area by Jasun Tipton and his brother Troy Tipton in the 1990s, the band released six studio albums between 1998 and 2008. ZERO HOUR went on hiatus following the release of “Dark Deceiver” in 2008 after Troy Tipton suffered an arm injury that prevented him from playing bass.
The reunion of Jasun Tipton and Erik Rosvold set the comeback process in motion, with Roel van Helden and Andreas Blomqvist subsequently joining the lineup. The resulting formation produced “Agenda 21”, and “No Man’s Land” will now carry ZERO HOUR’s current era forward with a new EP.
ZERO HOUR will release “No Man’s Land” on CD and digitally through CynNormal Lab Recordings on October 16. Preorders are now available.
The EP tracklist is as follows:
'Codes Of Violence'
'No Man’s Land'
'Codes Of Violence' (instrumental)
'No Man’s Land' (instrumental)
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