- Sophomore release from the international BRUNO A. project, (mentor of the cult ARCANE WISDOM act), following the highly media praised, self-titled debut. - Top notch production by producer extraordinaire DANIEL CARDOSO (HEAD CONTROL SYSTEM, HEAVENWOOD, AVA INFERI, ANGELUS APATRIDA, OBLIQUE RAIN, W.A.K.O. etc) @ ULTRASOUNDSTUDIOS. - Line-up consisting of lead vocals by Finnish singer NIKO MANKINEN (ex-MISERY INC), BRUNO A. on all guitars and keys/ loops, as well as DANIEL CARDOSO (HEAD CONTROL SYSTEM, LEAFBLADE, ANATHEMA (live), HEAVENWOOD, SLAMO) on drums and bass. - Featuring guest vocal performances by Finnish star JULES NÄVERI (INSOMNIUM, PROFANE OMEN, ENEMY OF THE SUN), STEIN R SORDAL (former GREEN CARNATION 's bass-player/ singer, once again lending his voice to one full track), SOPHIE (the unique female vocals of UNDERSTREAM) and RUI VIEGAS (ARCANE WISDOM), besides backing and lead vocals by DANIEL CARDOSO. - 57 mins/ 12 tracks musically varied, mature, emotionally strong and immensely catchy, with a very personalized sound which can appeal to the ambient likes of KATATONIA, GREEN CARNATION, BEFORE THE DAWN, OPETH, PORCUPINE TREE with the immediacy of NEVERMORE, SOILWORK OR KILLSWITCH ENGAGE. Remarkable emphasis on songwriting, atmospheres, emotion and groove, with the right amount of instrumental proficiency to support it. - Impressive photographic artwork, again courtesy of reputed artist João Pinheiro. - A highly original studio episode was shot, while a future making-of documentary is in the making (“Through Sham Lenses – The Melancholy Hour”), possibly to be incuded on a future limited edition of the CD. - Professional and artistic videoclips for "INhale" (available online) and "Reel World" (coming soon), also by the winning team which brought you the acclaimed "Fire Eaters" video. - Huge reactions on iCompositions and MySpace, regular media updates on Blabbermouth, Brave Words and others, interviews with Portuguese webzines, radio airplay, etc. “Fire Eaters” award-winning video broadcasted on MTV Portugal and SIC Radical - all available on YouTube. - Pre-nominee for MTV European Music Awards 2010 – Best Portuguese Act! "THE MELANCHOLY HOUR is a great album. It’s musically challenging without sounding bloated, self confident without sounding pretentious. It hits all the right points and maintains its focus throughout the duration. Potentially a sleeper hit of 2010, Vertigo Steps is a band worth becoming familiar with." (Metal Rules) "It is still the melodic lines that these guys come up with that makes this band. More mature, engagingly catchy and sonically superb, Vertigo Steps' The Melancholy Hour is a fine follow up release to a great debut. " (Sea of Tranquility) "The music on this second album is of a glaring quality and consistency" (Crónicas do Som Eterno) "An unforgettable sensory experience" (Via Nocturna) "The production is superior, but it's mostly through the intelligent weaving of arrangements on display that this results on a record so full, meritful, versatile and with such to discover through countless listenings" (Soundzone)