Mexican prog metal act Agora will release of their new album Empire, via Crusader Records on 9th June.
Empire contains two unique tracks co-written by the multi-award winning, and well-known American keyboardist Derek Sherinian (Sons Of Apollo, Black Country Communion, Dream Theater, Billy Idol, Alice Cooper).
in English, the lyrics address issues that the band has never dealt with before, such as virtual reality, co-dependent relationships, zombies, and an homage to species that are on the verge of extinction.
The tracks featured on Empire are as follows:
‘Empire’ itself – The first single from Mexico’s most important prog metal band. A song that empowers the community sense of going forward. It’s both epic and powerful, the vocal melody embraces perfectly the outstanding guitar riffs and thunderous drums with well-established pounding bass and almost hymn like keyboards.
‘In The Name Of Destruction’ – A song that speaks about a catastrophic futuristic world in which zombies are spreading throughout the world and bringing the humankind to extinction, a strong musical statement with modern and classic approach to heavy metal bold arrangements a big highlight are the keyboards played by Derek Sherinian whose signature sound is found all over the song.
‘Infinity’ The third single released, and where we can find a deep perspective of someone who has lost his faith and desperately wants to recover it. Sonically a wide variety of steady early 90s American metal feel with keyboard work that’s reminiscent of early 70s prog rock combined with hooky melodic vocal lines and well-crafted heaviness.
‘I’m Just Venom’ – A song that exudes groove and power without losing melody in the vocal department, tons of feel in the guitar solos that are somewhat reminiscent of 70s rock combined with a 90s kind of loose but tight when needed riffs. A lyric that describes toxic relationships and the times that one surrenders to them.
‘Honor In Dying’ – Heavy riffs with Alice In Chains type vocal lines catchy chorus, wah infested solo that brings you to Manuel’s finest hour filled with triplets and octaves, drum licks everywhere, a powerful mid-tempo song.
‘When Honor Ends’ – Prog meets thrash in which virtuosity does not hold back any second, it’s a fast one and it’s challenging musically and lyrically as it describes the feeling of treason and betrayal riff after riff from the beginning util the end.
‘Immortal Dream’ – A ballad that captures the feel, incredible vocal range and nuance of Eduardo Contreras, wherein he tells the story of an impossible dream. As far as the music goes it reminds the Agora fan base that they can go in this direction without losing any edge. Great musicianship on this one.
‘Virtual Reality’ – An epic song a nearly 10-minute song that never lets down, it’s progressive in a never boring way. Great riffs and extraordinary drumming specially in the middle part which flirts with the djent genre for a minute, then goes into a massive prog segment with melodic vocals and outstanding bass.
‘Colossus’ – A theme written to pay tribute to the last white rhinoceros alive. Musically it has a lot of dynamics, a powerful tune which explodes with an epic sing a long chorus accompanied by Derek Sherinian throughout the song playing an amazing solo with his trademark sound.
You can check out the video to ‘Infinity’ here at RAMzine.
You can order Empire by clicking here.
