Protest The Hero - Volition

[Music Head]

enters the Billboard chart this week at #20

not yet rated by allmusic
Grooveshark online listen
I guess SteveO is on to these Canadians
I gave it a full listen
that's gotta count for something
gotta give them credit for keeping metal alive
not too bad on the screamo but there is some
vocalist can hit that Geddy range



Bio - from allmusic

Combining technical metal and post-hardcore instincts, Whitby, Ontario's Protest the Hero are comprised of Rody Walker (vocals), Tim Millar
(guitar/vocals), Luke Hoskin (guitar/vocals), Moe Carlson (drums), and Arif Mirabdolbaghi (bass/vocals). Starting as many bands do -- with a
common musical passion found among high-school friends -- Protest the Hero worked hard on developing their own identity; their sound soon became
reminiscent of a combination of Coheed & Cambria, At the Drive-In, and Every Time I Die. They released the 7" Search for the Truth on Canada's
Underground Operations in 2001 and followed up two years later with the EP A Calculated Use of Sound. Their music was getting noticed around the
country, as they won Best Indie Metal Band at the 2004 Indie Music Awards in Toronto and had multiple appearances on the Canadian music channel
MuchMusic. Relentless touring continued with a range of bands from Korn and Limp Bizkit to Bigwig and Sum 41. Protest the Hero issued their
debut full-length, Kezia, a sort of concept album referred to by the band as a "situationist requiem," in 2005. Signing with Vagrant in early
2006, Kezia was re-released in the United States that April. In 2008, the band released its second album, Fortress, which received near
universal critical acclaim. Scurrilous, the group's third long-player, arrived in March of 2011.



Album Review - from loudwire

Crowd funding has quickly become a popular way for bands to pay for new albums, and Canadian rockers Protest the Hero‘s new disc ‘Volition’
represents the epitome of a successful crowd funding campaign. The band ended up raising an incredible $341,000 via Indiegogo. That would
probably pay for one Katy Perry song to be recorded, but for a metal band’s recording budget, it’s a massive amount of dough. With those
resources available, it raised the bar and increased the expectations for ‘Volition.’

Protest the Hero’s fourth album brought their first lineup change. Drummer Moe Carlson exited, and his permanent replacement was recently
announced as being Mike Iaeradi. But on ‘Volition,’ the drum duties were handled by Chris Adler from Lamb of God. PTH’s progressive / metalcore
/ mathcore / post hardcore style is nothing like Lamb of God’s, but Adler is an extremely skilled player and had no problem fitting right in.

His presence is felt immediately on the album’s opener ‘Clarity,’ a complex and technical composition. In addition to the various musical style
explored, the song (and album) features myriad vocal styles from Rody Walker. Melodic singing, singing/speaking, screaming and other styles are
used.

The guest vocals from folk singer Jadea Kelly on several tracks are also a nice addition to the album. She’s an honorary band member at this
point, also appearing on their 2005 debut ‘Kezia’ and 2011‘s ‘Scurrilous.’

Guitarists Tim Millar and Luke Hoskin do just fine on their own, but the appearance of Ron Jarzombek (Blotted Science) on ‘Drumhead Trial’ takes
it to an even higher level. He’s one of the best guitarists in the business.

Throughout the album Protest the Hero seamlessly blend quirky progressive sections with more traditional styles. The tempos and textures shift
constantly, but it’s not jarring. There are radio friendly songs like “Mist” alongside more intense tracks such as ‘A Life Embossed’ and
‘Without Prejudice.’

From beginning to end, ‘Volition’ is a wild ride that’s grounded in excellent musicianship and innovative songwriting. It’s very eclectic,
sometimes pushing the limits and often hitting the sweet spot.

assume this is a single:

[video=youtube;2HjTs-y-ZQo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HjTs-y-ZQo[/video]

Track Listing

1. Clarity
2. Drumhead Trial
3. Tilting Against Windmills
4. Without Prejudice
5. Yellow Teeth
6. Plato's Tripartite
7. A Life Embossed
8. Mist
9. Underbite
10. Animal Bones
11. Skies

[SteveO]

^ Thanks for the review my man! A lot going on here...crazy video!!!!

[Rachel Supra]

Great review. Gotta give this a listen. I remember seeing them years and years ago when they released their first eps. They were fun live, but I never really listened to them. It's about time that I fix that!