Mile Marker Zero – Coming of Age (self-released, 2024)
Coming of Age is the third full-length release from Mile Marker Zero. The album encapsulates the bittersweet transition from the innocence of youth to the complexities of adulthood, with each track serving as a reflection on the formative experiences that shape us.
On the album’s eight tracks, Coming of Age presents the band’s most mature material to date. Though Mile Marker Zero has been categorized as a progressive rock act, much of this album leans more heavily into the hard rock sphere, delivering relentless guitar riffs and hooky elements that may appeal to rock fans beyond the progrock scene. As someone who values the intricacies of progressive rock over the brute force of hard rock or prog metal, I’ll admit the album’s direction does not appeal to me and may not cater to some prog fans. However, when the band leans into their progressive rock tendencies, they deliver moments of true brilliance.
The opening track, “A Time in Place,” stands out with its emotive vocals and lush piano arrangements, a perfect example of Mile Marker Zero at their most creative. Similarly, the title track “Coming of Age” is a masterclass in tension and release, building towards a climactic finish that feels both inevitable and satisfying.
“Heavy Days” offers some intriguing elements, but ultimately falls into the trap of prog metal’s predictable guitar riffing, overshadowing the more delicate keyboard work. However, in the moments where guitarist John Tuohy steps away from the heavy riffing, opting instead for soaring electric solos and intricate acoustic passages, he demonstrates his ability to elevate the music beyond the ordinary.
The closer, “Far from Here,” also deserves attention, with its mix of piano, guitar, and percussion interplay. Even though the hard rock influence still looms large, there’s enough nuance here to keep things interesting.
Mile Marker Zero has steadily built a reputation for pushing boundaries, and their track “Architect” made waves when it was featured in the NASCAR Heat 4 video game, exposing their sound to a massive new audience. They also broke new ground as the first unsigned band to be featured in Harmonix/MTV’s Rock Band series, further cementing their status as a group willing to challenge the status quo.
The band is from New Haven, Connecticut. It features Dave Alley on vocals; John Tuohy on guitars; Mark Focarile on keyboards; Jaco Lindito on bass; and Doug Alley on drums. They’ve shared the stage with an impressive roster of artists, including Porcupine Tree, Riverside, Periphery, and Spock’s Beard, and have appeared at prestigious festivals like RosFest and ProgStock.
Buy Coming of Age.