Mexican metallers AGORA have announced the release of their upcoming album Empire, set to release via Crusader Records / Golden Robot Records, on June 9.
‘Empire‘ contains two unique tracks co-written by the great, multi-award winning, and well-known American keyboardist Derek Sherinian (Sons of Apollo, Black Country Communion, Dream Theatre, Billy Idol, Alice Cooper). This 2023 Agora has chosen to release its most important record to date, “Empire,” in English.
Pre-order/add/save ‘EMPIRE’ here: https://orcd.co/agora-empire-album
The lyrics address issues that the band has never addressed before, such as virtual reality, co-dependent relationships, zombies, and an homage to species that are on the verge of extinction.
Agora has four albums, a live DVD, and performances at renowned national and international festivals like Viva Latino, Rock al Parque, Hell & Heaven and Fronterizo Fest to their credit as a culmination of a decade of diligent efforts.
After performing with groups like KISS, Judas Priest, Guns & Roses, Megadeath, Mötley Crüe, Deep Purple, and Iron Maiden, they have amassed a strong fan following that remains loyal online and at their shows.
No text can describe what these artists can achieve live. With this new production, Agora is determined to rule the stage as its new empire.
‘EMPIRE’ Track By Track:
Empire is the title of the first single of the most important prog metal band from Mexico. A song which 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 is 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 masterfully played by Derek Sherinian (dream theater, billy idol, yngwie malmsteen fame.) who’s signature sound is found all over the song.
Infinity is the third single of the Mexican prog metal band Agora where we can find a deep perspective of someone who has lost his faith and desperately wants to recover it. Sonically is a wide variety of steady early 90s American metal feel with fantastic 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 which 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 great example of 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 it’s a prog meets thrash track 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 feeing of treason and betrayal riff after riff from the beginning til the end.
Inmortal Dream a ballad that captures the feel, incredible vocal range and nuance of eduardo contreras, in which 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 it’s 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 genere 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 non- other than derek sherinian (ex dream theater, billy idol yngwie malmsteen) throughout the song playing an amazing solo with his trademark sound and a great Hammond ala Jon Lord.
Listen to Infinity here:
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https://goldenrobotrecords.com/crusader-records/agora/
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