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Protest the Hero - Kezia CD (album) cover

KEZIA

Protest the Hero

 

Tech/Extreme Prog Metal

3.78 | 82 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

DeKay
4 stars Many things have been said and written about Canada and how unusual, crazy or divergent canadian bands are, not only in prog. I have to admit I agree with that, and I don't mean anything bad about canadian bands. On the contray, if americans know how to rock, I sure believe that canadians know how to prog. Protest The Hero is a new band and their sound is exactly what could be called new. These guys (or should I say kids? They wrote this material when they were 17) have a very personal opinion on things and the audacity to present it without holding on to any "safe" forms and clichés.

"Kezia", the band's debut was released in 2005 and is a concept album about the execution of a woman (named Kezia). The three figures in the concept are the priest who presides over her execution, one of the prison guards who is to kill her, and Kezia herself. According to the band, each of the three characters represent an aspect of the band members themselves. The concept is quite simple, though it also incorporates many metaphorical references, especially political, which are presented in an apprehensive, rather than manifestation, manner.

Musically, Protest The Hero sound like a post-hardcore influenced prog metal band and I'd say that with one word they sound solid. The singing ability of Rody Walker is amazing. He sounds (and performs) like Cedric Bixler-Zavala-meets-Mike Patton, adding a really impressive brutal aspect. Probably the most characteristic thing in Protest The Hero (besides Walker's tonal acrobatics) is the intense guitar riffing and solos of Tim Millar and Luke Hoskin. Arif Mirabdolbaghi (what a bass player) and Moe Carlson comprise a terrific rhythm section. Such continuous change of rhythms is probably reminiscent of Mars Volta. The difference is that things are basically metal here.

Very close to being a masterpiece. Recommended to all prog metal fans who prefer Gentle Giant to Manowar.

Favourite tracks: "Heretics & Killers", "Blindfolds Aside", "Turn Soonest To The Sea".

DeKay | 4/5 |

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