Prog Metallers Zero Hour are back on the scene with their new album "Specs of Pictures Burnt Beyond". Jules spoke with main-man and guitar wiz Jasun Tipton about the bands new record, new singer and what the new dawn has in store.

Our music is Heavy, dark, intricate material that creates a film-score feel with the music. Our songs range from 4 to 17 minutes long and the musicianship is very strong all around. You can check out clips at www.myspace.com/zerohourband & www.zerohourweb.com

“Specs Of Pictures Burnt Beyond” has been out now for the past 2 months. What has been reaction to the record? Where you pleased with the final results?

This is the most well received CD to date for Zero Hour and It's a great feeling to know people are enjoying the new disc. We just got word that Zero Hour received in the latest Rock Hard Magazine (Germany) in the sound check page Zero Hour was number 3 out of 35, in Heavy (Germany) #2 of 35 and Metal Heart (Germany) Number 11 of 35. We're very pleased with the buzz on "Specs of Pictures Burnt Beyond". We're very proud of this CD and feel it's our best work to date.

“Specs Of Pictures Burnt Beyond” follows hot on the heals of 2005’s “A Fragile Mind”. What similarities and differences can fans expect to hear?

"Specs of Pictures Burnt Beyond" is a very focused CD start to finish. We went through a tough period getting "A Fragile Mind" due to a singer change and the vocalist who did "A Fragile Mind" was very unpleasant to work with. Instead of material already prepared and brought into the studio like AFM. "Specs of Pictures Burnt Beyond" was built from the ground up with Troy, Mikey and I just jamming in the studio and letting the material take shape organically. We decided to throw the kitchen sink at the listener and keeping the listener at the edge of their seat. Chris did and amazing job with the vocal process and he's not only and excellent singer but a really nice guy.

Some prolific writing appears to be happening in the Zero Hour camp, what spurred you guys to write and record “Specs Of Pictures Burnt Beyond” so quickly?

When we did "A Fragile Mind" Troy, Mikey and I finished tracking that CD in 2002. We kept continuing to write material after the tracking and it gave us a

great head start to "Specs of Pictures Burnt Beyond". Lot's of time and energy was poured into "Specs of Pictures Burnt Beyond".

Of course the new record marks the first with new vocalist Chris Salinas. How is Chris working out, and how did you guys hook up?

We knew of Chris back when he was in Power of Omens and we played Progpower USA 1 with Power of Omens. I talked to Chris for 45 minutes and knew he was a very nice guy and took his vocals very seriously. Once we saw him live we knew he was the real deal and Troy, Mikey and I were very impressed. Once I called Chris about live dates he told me Zero Hour is one of his favorite bands and would love to join the band if we're interested in him. When calling him I was only looking to do live shows knowing he was still in Power of Omens. He told me that Power of Omens were on their last leg and he wanted to be a part of Zero Hour. I asked Troy and Mikey and right away Chris was in the band.

Erik was going through some problems in his personal life. Troy, Mikey and I finished our tracks in late 2002 and in early 2004 Erik hadn't even tracked half of the CD. We would call him, email him and he would get back to 1 of every 10 emails or calls. In order for Zero Hour to move on we had to get a new singer. I'm still friends with Erik and in touch with him. He's an amazing singer and talent. Very proud of the material we created with Erik.

I’m always interested in bands perception and experience of the studio environment. How long and what was the recording experience like for the new record?

It was a very quick recording process. Troy, Mikey and I finished our tracks in three days and Chris took two days to do all his vocals. Everyone was very excited and focused on what was put together for "Specs of Pictures Burnt Beyond".

We've always worked with Dino and he's just the best. Sonically there's no one better on my book. Dino is a great friend to the band and an amazing talent.

The tour went amazing in the USA. We did the Progpower USA and Power-Prog-West events along with dates in TX, NY, NJ, VA, MASS, MD. The fans were amazing to us and look forward to doing it again. We're going to be headlining The Groove or Die magazine 1 year anniversary show January 5th in Portland Oregon. There's a couple US festivals being worked and we're very happy to announce we'll coming to Europe in April of 2007. We'll playing the Headway festival in Holland www.headwayfestival.com and additional dates with Into Eternity and To-Mera. Please check www.myspace.com/zerohourband & www.zerohourweb.com  for upcoming confirmed dates.

The band has had a long relationship with Sensory Records. What makes these guys such a good label to work with from your perspective?

Ken and Sensory have always believed in the band and has backed us in so many ways. Sensory is an awesome label and we're very happy to be on Sensory.

Anyone who has a sibling knows how fraught working with them can be at times. How does the chemistry between you two work? How do you approach the creative process?

The great thing is Troy and I can be very honest with each other which makes the band that much better. We're best friends and have the same goals in what we want to achieve in Zero Hour. Not saying we don't have our struggles but the good very much outweighs the bad.

You guys have also just released instructional videos through Chops From Hell. What’s all this about?

A friend of our Bobby said have you & Troy ever thought about doing an instructional from Chops from Hell. Troy and I talked about it and found out Chris of Chops From Hell was interested. Troy and I really put our best effort into the instructional's and feel a lot of players can gain from the them. Please check out www.chopsfromhell.com on how to order the instructional's and here's clips to Troy's and I's Instructional. http://www.chopsfromhell.com/guest_tipton_JT1sampler.html & http://www.chopsfromhell.com/guest_tipton_TT1sampler.html

Zero Hour has a sound all it's own and we're a Metal band first, progressive 2nd. Most Prog-Metal 2nd. We love heavy music and most of the Prog-Metal bands are not very heavy. We've always tried to be as organic as possible in our writing style and it's nice to see people start comparing other bands to us.

Thank you very much for help spreading the word and please be on the lookout for us playing a date in the UK. We would love to see and meet all our friends and fans at our shows. YOU ALL RULE and we look forward to a great 2007.