siLLy puPPy PROTEST THE HERO originally had the name of Happy Go Lucky and i have to say it was a good move to make the ole switcheroonie cuz that is one totally UN-metal name if i’ve ever heard one. They hail from Ontario, Canada and after releasing one EP in 2002, they released their first full debut album KEZIA on August 2005 in their native Canada and in April 2006 in the US. I have no idea when for other countries. KEZIA is a nebulous concept album that vocalist Rody Walker describes as having a subtle deeper meaning below the theme of an execution of a woman named KEZIA. The overall concept symbolizes the ever quickening decline of society in general described through the life of KEZIA in prison and how she copes with day to day life until her final demise.

Personally i don’t care about this concept. This is metalcore and i can’t understand the lyrics anyway, but for those who do care about these things, it is a nice story that weaves around the brutal metal music with progressive layerings. If you ask me the music of PROTEST THE HERO is a hybrid of The Mars Volta and Between The Buried And Me. The Volta comparisons hold true on a few levels. Firstly Rody Walker’s high pitched range and vocal style really sounds a lot like Cedric Bixler-Zavala’s. I had to check the first time hearing this to make sure this wasn’t another project of Cedric. Secondly, the song structures remind me a lot of The Mars Volta’s as well, at least their most rocking parts. The intermissions have similarities as well but PROTEST doesn’t go fully into psychedelic Krautrock tangents. There are similar guitar tones, vocal styles etc.

On the Buried And Me side of the equation, the metalcore is crisp and staccato with progressive intros and outros and odd time signatures that are abundant and this really has a lot in common. If you ever wondered what The Mars Volta would sound like if they truly ventured into brutal metal with lightning fast guitar riffs that drift from chaotic Psyopus type dissonance to melodic neoclassical shredding with pummeling riffs and percussion while dropping a big chunk of the Latin and psychedelic influences, then you don’t have to go to an alternate universe to find out, it can be found in this one and PROTEST THE HERO sounds just like that to me. I don’t find this band to be as adventurous as say “Colors” by Between The Buried In Me which leaves no rock unturned for influences, but this album finds a lot of sounds to incorporate into the melodic metalcore to dish out. While metalcore isn’t usually the sub genre of metal i mostly gravitate towards, i do find some of the progressive types very satisfying and this one has earned some staying power in my world. It is an album that delivers in being extremely brutal, soft and sensual and above all maintains melodic developments throughout its run.

Kingcrimsonprog Kezia is the debut full-length studio album by the Canadian band Protest The Hero. It was released in 2005 on Underground Operations. The record is a concept album which tells the story of a woman called Kezia’s death from three different perspectives on one level, but serves as a political statement or social commentary on another level.

The band have been described as many different things, such as Mathcore, Metalcore and Progressive Metal. They certainly mix elements of all three. It may sound a little clichéd, but its almost like a band playing a medley of different sections from dozens of different songs by all sorts of artists, like At The Gates, Children Of Bodom, Megadeth, Iron Maiden, Dream Theater, Sikth, Dillenger Escape Plan, Gallows, Parkway Drive, Coheed & Cambria, Fair To Midland, Funeral For A Friend and Panic At The Disco all at once. There’s even a brief moment that calls Queensryche to mind. Its not they they specifically rip off any one of the individual artists mentioned, but just that they try so many things there’ll be bits here and there that’s a bit reminiscent of someone else.

It’s a very eclectic mix of influences. They can sometimes switch from one to another at the drop of a hat, and some of the songs are filled with so many different parts in different styles that it could almost be viewed as overwhelming. Rather than sounding muddled, confused, or cheesy, they somehow manage to pull off this mixture with an absolute flair and perfection. The song structures seem as though they should be obnoxiously bizzare but somehow they mysteriously manage to feel natural. Initially the sheer scale of the diversity and virtuosity may feel pretentious or ostentatious, but upon numerous repeat listens I’ve definitely come to believe that there isn’t anything cynical at work here. It feels like a labour of love and not merely an exercise in wackiness.

There’s just such a brilliant spark of creativity, every single section in this gigantic puzzle of a record is brilliant in and of itself, and each one perfectly compliments the next, and indeed the next few along. Every song is a well thought out and surprising journey that flutters between styles, tempos, time-sigs and vocal styles in a way that somehow flows smoothly. There’s no too-cheesy ballads or momentum-breaking intros to skip either. There aren’t any out-of-place comedy vocals and nothing to take you out of the listening experience.

Its difficult to choose highlights because every track is packed with countless memorable riffs, fun drum beats, inventive lyrics and sing-along vocal lines. If I had to choose a favourite however, it would probably be ‘Heretics & Killers.’

Overall; I highly recommend Kezia. It’s a super-technical yet super-melodic mixture of impressive virtuosity and catchy hooks with enough talent and interesting parts to fill up ten albums by less brilliant bands. It really rewards repeat listening and every spin will uncover a new little gem you never noticed before. If you have even the slightest interest in the band this is an absolute must-have.

arcane-beautiful Protest The Hero or Power Rangers Metal as I like to call them.

Yea, when Sikth disbanded (one of the first bands I had ever liked, I mourn their death everyday by the way), there was no math core bands that could even fit their lovely crazy shoes, until Canada started to make some of the weirdest music ever.

Yes this band is the new Sikth, and to be honest they deserve it. I am also not saying their identical, they are very different, but there similar take and abilities match.

This album, although quite raw, is still an amazing release and really shows off math core as a dominant genre.

With some even Progressive Metal like influences, this album really rules the roost, with technical ability being a major factor. The only problem I had with this album is that some of the changes were quite random and there was a lack of structure and song, making some of the songs quite samey. But as a whole it is an amazing experience.

This album is also a concept album as well, telling the story of a prison guard, a priest and a girl on death row. The concept is quite ambiguous (and maybe it's supposed to be), but Rody's use of language is quite amazing and very poetic.

1. No Stars Over Bethlehem - A whole dose of epic mixed with crazy. What a way to start an album.

2. Heretics & Killers - In my opinion one of the best songs ever made (yes, it is that good). The lyrics are amazing, mixing crude religious imagery with a more morbid sense. The video is also amazing, with the flying monkey men.

3. Divinity Within - The chorus is amazing. The build up at the end is very beautiful.

4. Bury The Hatchet - Love the piano intro. I'm not a big fan of the hardcore like vocals, but putting it context wise I understand it.

5. Nautical - I love the polyrhythms. Very frantic.

6. Blindfolds Aside - More frantic than a bag of OD'd cats. The Queen like vocal hooks are amazing.

7. She Who Mars The Skin Of Gods - Amazing title for a song. I love the layered vocals and the satirical lyrics.

8. Turn Soonest To The Sea - The pop culture references are very amusing. The end is also very epic and cool.

9. The Divine Suicide Of K. - Very epic at parts. The frantic parts are also amazing and the build ups in the song are amazing. Very vivid lyrics, very picturesque and morbid. I love the ending as well.

10. A Plateful Of Our Dead - What a way to end the album. Rody's vocals are amazing.

CONCLUSION: I don't think that it is as good as Fortress, and the structure's are quite random at times, but all in all, it is an amazing album. If you haven't heard this band, then you need to very quickly.