Protest The Hero

Protest the Hero is a Canadian metal band which has often been termed mathcore (a subsection of metalcore famous for using unique time signatures rather than the standard 4 beat time style. They formed in Whitby, Ontario in 1999 when the members were still in elementary school. They are currently signed to Vagrant Records.

They band currently consists of 5 members, interestingly enough and rather strange for a metal band they have maintained the 5 same members for their entire lifespan. The lineup consits of Arif Mirabdolbahi (bass, backup vocals), Luke Hoskin (rythm guitarist, pianist), Tim Millar (lead guitarist), Moe Carlson (drums) and Rody Walker (vocals).
They have released 2 studio albums and 1 live album. The band originally formed under the name "Happy Go Lucky" but they renamed it very early in their career. Their debut album was released on August 30, 2005 and was titled "Kezia". For a debut album from a completely unknown band this sold very well (6000 copies in one month) and received positive reviews including several awards for Best Indy Album and Best Debut Album. Critics everywhere commented on the level of emotion poured into this album and I must concur and as such highly recommend listening to this album as it is a truly unique experience and sound.Protest The Hero re-entered studio in summer 2007 and on January 29, 2008 they released their second album entitled "Fortress". This album was also highly successful and reached number 9 on US billboard charts and number 1 in Canada selling 8000 albums in it's first week. As for critical reception this album was praised once again for improving upon the mechanics and fluidity of the "Kezia" album. However, in my opinion "Kezia" was the superior album.

In recent affairs on September 29, 2009 Protest The Hero released their live CD/DVD titled "Gallop Meets The Earth". It has sold moderately well, but contains a wide sampling of their work and plenty of bonus content. I recommend any metal fan puchasing it for their highly energetic live performances and to support Canadian metal bands.

Protest the Hero is currently on tour supporting In Flames, Killswitch Engage and Between the Buried and Me with their new album in the process of writing, practice and recording and is set for an early 2010 review.

They are a young band (none of the members are over 23) but they have been fairly successful thus far and have been allowed the opportunity to play with some of the large name bands in the business such as: As I Lay Dying, The Devil Wears Prada, Darkest Hour, Fall From Grace, The Acadia Strain and Trivium.

While they are a young and moderately known band in the metal world I highly recommend any fan of the genre give them a chance due to their enthusiastic and affordable live performances (I paid $15 to see them in Toronto), unique sound with clean (sound wise) lyrics and most of all because they are one of the few Canadian metal bands which has made it in the international scene.

You can check them out at their official site below, which offers merchandise, tour dates, band news and information as well as it allows for streaming of their videos.

Official Band Site: http://www.protestthehero.com/

Below are two of my favorite songs you can check out:
Sequoia Throne


Blindfolds Aside