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Hi,
first off I just want to congratulate you on your new album. To
new fans could your please fill us in on the history behind it
all?
Jasun -
Troy
, Mikey and I have been together for over 12 years. Our goal was
to create very heavy, dynamic music using odd time signatures,
tempo changes, lush clean tone passages with never-ending formats.
A few year years later our first singer Erik joined the group and
we released "Metamorphosis" and "The Towers of
Avarice" off Sensory Record Worldwide. We released 2 CD's off
Sensory records, played some amazing festival (Progpower
USA
, Progpower Europe, Headway Holland, Westfallen
Germany
, Ultrasound
USA
) Zero Hour was able to headline club dates in the States and
Europe
and had the best experience. Our new release "A Fragile
Mind" has a new singer and the CD has been receiving amazing
reviews and we're very excited to have another CD out on Sensory
Records. www.lasercd.com
.
How
has your new album been received by the media?
Jasun -
We've received great reviews thus far. I just got word that Zero
Hour is number 2 in Heavy magazine (
Germany
) in their sound check page. Number 7 in Rock Hard Magazine (
Germany
) sound check page. Received 6 out of 7 in Metal Hammer (
Germany
). Many more are to come out throughout the World and this is a
very good start to Zero Hour's "A Fragile Mind". The
fans have been great for waiting this long for another release and
a large majority of the fans are enjoying the CD very much.
I
know artists don’t like to put a label on their music - but a
spaceship from outer space has just landed in your backyard, and
is demanding an answer - so how would you describe your music to
an alien from another galaxy?
Jasun -
Zero Hour's style is Dark, Heavy, technical music using odd time
signatures, tempo changes with beautiful, lush clean tone passages
to make the material very dynamic. Our style is progressive but
also very cinematic throughout the material.
If
your music was an emotion, which one would it be?
Jasun -
Zero Hour has many emotions because the music is all over the
place and very dynamic. Heavy, insane technical patterns to make
you grip your seat along with beautiful clean tone passages to
give you chills.
Who
and what inspires you when you write a song? Walk us through the
creation of a song?
Jasun -
These days it always comes to me driving home from band rehearsal.
Sometimes when you run flat from rehearsal, as soon as you're out
of the studio driving it just clicks in your brain what you want
to do and just makes sense.
Which
subjects do your lyrics refer to, and who writes them? And what
inspires you when you write your lyrics?
Jasun -
"A Fragile Mind" the lyrics were written by Fred and
Troy
. What inspired them I really can't say. Unfortunately neither is
present in this interview.
Who
has produced and mixed the album? Are you pleased with the result?
Jasun -
Dino Alden has done all the Zero Hour CD's and the production is
out of this World. Dino is easily one of the best and a great guy
too. Without him, I feel the sound would suffer a little because
he's perfect with Zero Hour, the 5th member you might say.
Who
has done the artwork? And how important do you feel it is to have
a great cover?
Jasun -
Travis Smith does the artwork for Zero Hour and it's extremely
important for the artist to capture the representation of the CD.
Travis is amazing.
Do
you have any touring plans?
Jasun -
2006 will bring Zero Hour out to play live. At this moment we
haven't set up live dates because the band is in the
pre-production stage for our next release.
Let's
speculate - you have been granted a free slot on a tour of your
own choice - who would be your ideal touring partners?
Jasun -
Opeth, Dream Theater, Nevermore. Tool and we would love to play
with Meshuggah and Dillinger Escape Plan, even if we were a bit
out of place.
How
do you feel about the co-operation with your label?
Jasun -
Ken Golden of Sensory has been very good to us and I have a ton of
respect for Ken.
The
internet is a very important source for many metal fans - how do
you use the internet and how important is it for you and other
bands?
Jasun -
The internet was a
huge reason for us getting signed and growing a fan-base. The
internet is a must for all bands.
And
how do you feel about the metal scene in general at the moment?
Jasun -
It's growing here in the States and that's great. It has a ways to
go but it's great to have a Metal scene again.
Which
song do you consider to be the best one you have ever written?
Jasun -
I have too many favourites and that would be way tough to break
down.
Name
an album, person or event that has had a huge influence on your
life and why?
Jasun -
Elvis made me love music. My dad would play Elvis all the time
when I was a kid and I just dug it.
When I heard Jason Becker and Buckethead, that's what made
me want to become the player I am today.
Which
music do you listen to at home?
Jasun -
At the moment I'm listening to Dillinger Escape Plan, Meshuggah,
Opeth and a track (Track 4) off the new Between the Buried and me
is a good listen.
Vinyl
has had a small comeback lately - do you still prefer "the
old sound" or are you a CD/DVD kind of guy?
Jasun -
I like both but I prefer CD's because my records take up too much
space.
Last
question - do you have any famous last words for our readers?
Jasun -
Thanks for everyone's support towards Zero Hour and be out on the
lookout for Zero Hour in 2006. YOU ALL RULE!!!! Many thank you's
for the interview as well.
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