UMUR "Zero Hour" is the eponymously titled debut full-length studio album (sometimes referred to as an EP) by US, California based progressive metal act Zero Hour. The album was originally independently released in 1999 but saw a 2003 re-release through Sensory Records. The 2003 reissue is titled "Metamorphosis", named after the epic suite track of the same name occupying the latter half of the release. The reissue features four additional tracks, which aren´t featured on the 1999 original version of the release.

If you are familiar with Zero Hour´s 1994 eponymously titled demo, much have happened since that release. Guitarist Sean Kruithoff has left, and Jasun Tipton has taken over all guitar duties. Keyboard player Matt Guillory has been added to the lineup, and original lead vocalist Luis A. Ortiz has been replaced by Erik Rosvold. Stylistically Zero Hour have also made major changes to the original melodic heavy metal sound (with progressive metal leanings) towards a technical/progressive metal sound. The addition of a permanent keyboard player to the lineup can´t help but bring Dream Theater associations, but although that influence can´t be denied, Zero Hour have original ideas too that they successfully bring to the table and incorporate. Rosvold is for example a very powerful and quite unconventional progressive metal vocalist. The only singer I can think of who has a voice that is similar is Devin Townsend, and that´s definitely not the worst singer to be compared to. Zero Hour also have a rather distinct sounding riffing style (lots of fast note riffs and time-signature changes), which is a bit unusual and often pretty hard edged compared to other contemporary progressive metal artists.

The keyboards are omnipresent and dominates the soundscape along with the vocals, but the heavy (and faster) odd-metered riffs and technical drumming and bass playing also have an audible place in the mix. The sound production is not the most well sounding out there, but it´s decent enough and don´t ruin the music or anything like that. It could just have been a little better balanced. The original version of the album features three individual tracks and the 17:05 minutes long "Metamorphosis" suite, which is divided into five sub-tracks. All tracks feature intriguing melodies, powerful and challenging instrumental work, and Rosvold´s strong voice and passionate performance in front. While especially the keyboards are a little too generic and predictable if you´re familiar with Dream Theater-type progressive metal, this is still a high quality progressive metal album showing great promise. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.