Protest the Hero Albums (2)
What The Critics Say
Protest the Hero's Fortress owes much of its sound to progressive metal, even if its post-hardcore and punk metal influences are still evident. The new sound is detectable as soon as vocalist Rody Walker begins singing on the opening song, "Bloodmeat," when an initial quick burst of a verse gives way to chorus that floats over pounding rhythms and a background string section. The piece sets the tone for what is to come; Fortress is just as aggressive and intense as the band's debut album, Kezia, but not as dark, even as Walker shifts between operatic melodies and guttural grunts and screams. (This happens frequently throughout Fortress, and the singer is adept at both.) Both albums carry a theme throughout -- Kezia is a "situationist requiem," according to the band, while Fortress is ostensibly about goddess worship -- but the latter is more consistent in its presentation. Whereas Kezia concentrated more on Protest the Hero's achieving technical expertise, Fortress is from a band whose abilities have caught up with their vision. The album is deeper, stronger, more original, and consequently more fun. More risks are taken, from the nearly hidden horns on "The Dissentience" to the shimmering piano solo at the beginning of "Sequoia Throne" and the playful interlude that bridges "Palms Read" and "Limb from Limb." Protest the Hero is having fun with their creativity here, and Fortress is a better album for it. However, it all goes by a bit too quickly -- the songs may be epic, but the entire album is pounding and frantic. What should be a marathon is conducted at a sprinting pace, and if there's any complaint, it's that there is no time to slow down and appreciate how far Protest the Hero has come since their debut album. There are plenty of interesting things that take place on Fortress, but it may take repeated listens to take it all in. ~ Katherine Fulton, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Apart from the fact that the members of Protest the Hero were in their late teens when they wrote it, Kezia (pronounced keh-zai-yah) is an impressive album that greatly exceeds typical expectations. Protest frantically meld metal, punk, hardcore -- and a touch of emo -- into ten frenetic songs that often resemble a late-night metal show with Coheed & Cambria and At the Drive-In showing up as musical guests. While the guys refer to this eccentric effort as a "situationist requiem," the record is basically an aggressive concept album following the execution of the title character, Kezia, for a crime specifically unknown. Personal lyrics speak of morality and growth -- both directly and metaphorically -- as the music is divided into four sections, each from a different point of view: a priest, the gunman/prison guard, Kezia herself, and lastly, a so-called retrospective finale. Admittedly an interesting idea in itself, the songs deliver with or without this ambitious supporting notion. Sounding as if maximum emotion were packed into every second possible, each note of Kezia bleeds urgent passion -- from the searing vocals of Rody Walker to blistering guitar leads to acoustic midsong breaks to compelling harmonies and growls alike. "Heretics & Killers" begins by slapping fierce rhythms and harsh grumbles alongside the delicate edge of Walker's voice over acoustic guitars and Queen-esque background vocals. And "Turn Soonest to the Sea," seemingly about societal attitudes toward women, transforms over six minutes from a brutal metal attack to a soaring dose of empowerment via gang chorus, following a brief spoken word segment. Considering that Protest the Hero have admitted to writing music initially too complex for their abilities -- forcing themselves to learn the parts over time -- there's no denying the guys stepped up to the task they placed before themselves with Kezia. As such, fans of the more technical side of punk-influenced metal will also find the album hard to deny. ~ Corey Apar, All Music Guide
