Protest the Hero, Periphery, Jeff Loomis Tour?!? YES.
Protest the Hero will hit the road in March and April along with Periphery, Jeff Loomis , The Safety Fire, and Today I Caught the Plague
3/25 Chicago, IL @ Bottom Lounge
3/26 Lawrence, KS @ Granada
3/27 Dallas, TX @ Trees
3/28 Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live
3/30 Albuquerque, NM @ Sunshine
3/31 Phoenix, AZ @ Club Red
4/1 Los Angeles, CA @ Key Club
4/2 San Francisco, CA @ Slim’s
4/3 Portland, OR @ The Branx
4/4 Seattle, WA @ Studio Seven
4/6 Salt Lake City, UT @ In The Venue
4/7 Denver, CO @ Summit
4/9 St. Louis, MO @ Pops
4/10 Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave II
4/11 Detroit, MI @ Magic Stick
4/12 Columbus, OH @ The Outland Ballroom
4/13 Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop
4/14 Baltimore, MD @ Sonar
4/16 Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade
4/17 Orlando, FL @ The Social
4/18 Raleigh, NC @ Lincoln Theater
4/20 New York, NY @ Gramercy
4/22 Philadelphia, PA @ Trocadero
Obviously this is a pretty killer tour. You know my stance on Protest the Hero, and seeing them again will be great. Jeff Loomis has a new album coming out and besides that….it’s JEFF LOOMIS! Think of how much shred there will be at these shows! Throw Periphery in and you have yet another tour well worth seeing. Schweet.
-Chris
Go see Scale the Summit….Seriously.
Dan and I have become accustomed to driving at least an hour to just about every show we go to. The drive from Fort Collins to Denver is never really bad, but it’s basically AMAZING when bands come play in Fort Collins. Scale the Summit did just that last month opening for Protest the Hero. I was going to write a review of it, but spaced it until I saw the draft today…a month after. In short I will say it was awesome. Protest the Hero sounded great and it was awesome getting to see them play those songs live. Rody Walker’s vocals were awesome; much stronger than the first time I saw them. But back to Scale the Summit. It was awesome watching their set. With no vocals except between songs, the crowd was hard to read, but from our vantage point on the side balcony, they had the entire rooms attention by the end of their second song. Their sound is so tuned-in and they are such a solid band, it was definitely a treat to watch.
Luckily for everyone, the guys are heading out on their first headlining later this month, appropriately titled the “Their Strings are Voices” Tour. Check out the dates below!
Go support some awesome dudes in an awesome band!
-Chris
DC Metal Review’s best videos of 2011- part 2
Here is the rest of the list. Enjoy!
5. Rammstein- “Mein Land”; Simply a fun, fun video. Not the greatest Rammstein song ever, but like most of them it’s catchy and infectious. Couldn’t have asked for more really.
4. Devin Townsend- “Juular”; This video has popped up on other lists and for good reason; it’s psychotic visuals match the frentic nature of the song perfectly! A classic example of a great story-styled video.
3. Ghost Brigade- “Clawmaster”; The second animated video, or at least semi-animated, video on the list, this one gains it’s spot simply because it’s awesome. The dark, striking visuals match the song perfectly and enhance the feeling of the music exquisitely. I’m not sure if the band performs in the robes live, but based on this video, I sure hope so!
2. Protest the Hero- “Hair Trigger”; If you aren’t smiling by the end of this video, you have no soul.
1.Becoming the Archetype- “Breathing Light”; Space Vikings known as Becoming the Archetype fighting the evil lord Todd, who has outlawed beards (and all facial hair) and thus created a colorless, joyless world. If that description doesn’t get you jazzed up, you are reading the wrong blog! Thanks BtA, I shall wear my beard in pride.
Becoming the Archetype-Breathing Light*
-D&C
*Unfortunately, the video is only uploaded on Noise Creep, so you’ll have to click the link.
Dan’s top ten of 2011- part 1
10. Believer- Transhuman; When I initially heard that Believer were releasing a new album this year, I approached the news with trepidation. Sure, I had enjoyed 2009′s Gabriel, but it still wasn’t the Believer that I had come to know who wrote the awesome Dimensions. However, the moment I heard the premiere of “G.U.T.” I knew this album was going to be special. The production is pristine, but that doesn’t take away from the songs. Believer have morphed into a thrash influenced blend of Tool and Cynic, with the aesthetic sensibilities of both. This is a cerebral and heavy album in all sorts of ways, and has appeared on several lists. Count mine with them.
Why it’s number 10; Excellent songwriting, strong production, and challenging, thoughtful lyrics. Some riffs do get a bit repetitive and I personally miss some of the shred. Middle of the album is not as memorable as the beginning and end.
9. Surachai- To No Avail; I reviewed this release pretty recently, so I’m not going to elaborate too much. I’ll just say that To No Avail has solidified myself as a major Surachai fan. These songs are great, and I can’t really find anything wrong with them as a grouping of songs. It’s just a solid release that pushes some boundaries and evolves Surachai as an artist. The artwork is simply killer and fits the music perfectly, which you don’t see enough of anymore.
Why it’s number 9; The only reason this isn’t higher is because it’s only two songs. While this criteria will no doubt change as the music industry continues to, in 2011, this only wet’s your appetite for more.
8. The Famine- Architects of Guilt; Were there “better” death metal albums released this year? Probably. This one fell right through the cracks though and I can only assume it’s because the band broke up only a few months after the release. However, this doesn’t take from the sheer intensity of this release. Whereas other death metal bands may be the perennial favorites of the blogosphere, The Famine’s second release was soaked in passion and urgency. Lyrics that cut like a knife and songs that were groovy and punishing, there wasn’t a straight forward heavy album that I listened to more this year than this one. For my money, this is how death metal should be done, and I could have only seen the band getting better and better.
Why it’s number 8; Not the most innovative release of the year, what it lacks in creative genius, it makes up for in passion and solid songs. The album feels a little to front loaded as well, which does cause it to drag just a bit, though this may be due to the sheer intensity of the material.
7. Protest the Hero- Scurrilous; What is there to say that hasn’t been said? This release was fun, consistent, and met that delicate balance between shred and song. It’s not overloaded in any single department and everything gels together perfectly, creating a worthy successor to Fortress. It might not have quite the same immediacy that Fortress had, but just as much oddball-ness and likability. There isn’t a band that sounds like Protest the Hero out there, and for that, Scurrilous deserves it’s spot on the list. Oh, and these songs are fantastic live! One of the best live acts out there.
Why it’s number 7; While I love this album, I think I enjoy Fortress more. While that shouldn’t take away from Scurrilous, it does, because Fortress felt like such a breath of fresh air. Scurrilous is great, but it’s Protest the Hero and if you’ve heard them before and didn’t like them, this won’t change your mind.
6. The Human Abstract- Digital Veil; What I love about this album, quite honestly, is that it satisfies my need to listen to classical music and heavy music. This is a result of the compositional style and not like say, Septic Flesh, who meld classical instruments into the music. This pushes The Human Abstract above their peers and made me take a second look at a band that I had written off as “good, but not for me.” It’s a short album, but it feels complete, once again like a classical composition. It’s too bad the band have had so many member issues this year, because this album has shot them to the upper echelons of modern metal, creatively speaking. Quality, quality, quality.
Why it’s number 6; While I love the compositional style, it does border on being almost too composed. I like my metal with a bit of a rough edge, and while this could be described as nearly perfect, for me that’s too close to “cold and calculated.” Plus, the breakdowns do nothing for me and they pop up in most of the songs, dragging the majesty down ever so slightly.
Chris’ Top 10 Metal Albums of 2011
#10 – Septic Flesh – The Great Mass
The band’s utilization of the Filmharmonic Orchestra and Choir of Prague made this album sound so sonically massive. With over 150 members, they helped every second of this album ooze with ominous cinematic quality. There was so much depth throughout; I still hear subtle nuances with each listen that seemed to go unnoticed in prior listens. While the heavier more epic moments sound that much bigger and evil with a full orchestra behind you, it’s the mellower moments in tracks and the use of the choir that really put this album on another level. There’s nothing quite like feeling in danger when you listen to a band, and no one did that better this year than Septicflesh
#9 – TYR – The Lay of Thyrm
The Faroese metallers strike again! While Tyr are not alone in the Viking Metal category, their use of strictly clean vocals and the dual guitar/vocal attack really set them apart from their Viking brothers. This album has its upbeat, frenzied anthems, as well as its slower ballads, but throughout the group employs extremely polished and precise playing. This album is packed with some of the most infectious guitar licks and catchiest choruses of the year. If you’re not singing along or have a riff stuck in your head after listening to this album, then something is seriously wrong with you.
#8 – Hate Eternal – Phoenix Amongst the Ashes
Phoenix Amongst the Ashes skirted the track of my love for death metal with that “I can’t handle this much longer” feeling, and that’s exactly why it’s on my list. This album is as brutal as can be. Crushingly heavy, and horrifically fast, they don’t come much louder or more abrasive than this. The solo on the title track!? Brilliant. The brain blasting intro to “The Art of Redemption?” Unreal. There is nothing slow about it. An absolute mind-eraser of an album.
#7 – The Devin Townsend Project – Deconstruction
“It’s everything including the kitchen sink”- Devin Townsend
This is one of the most layered metal albums I have ever heard. There are so many ways to enjoy this album. From listening to each individual piece of a track and analyzing its intricacies to just sitting back and letting it hit you all at once, it’s mind-blowing no matter how you do it. A real retrospective journey through Townsend’s career, all while experimenting and trying new things. Add an all-star cast of guest musicians and employ my love for double cheeseburgers into a metal song and I’m SOLD!
#6 – Amon Amarth – Surtur Rising
Melodic death metal at its finest! The band continues to fine tune their now legendary Viking metal sound and the results once again are epic. Johan Hegg’s vocals are so raw, his best performance to date; and the music just continues to get better. The riffs are heavier, the leads are catchier, and the band is implementing just enough change to avoid their sound becoming stagnant. They move from strings in “Doom Over a Dead Man” to slamming down the hammer of Thor in “A Beast Am I” and continue to create mandatory head bangers like “Slaves of Fear.” I feel fucking invincible listening to songs like “Live Without Regrets.” Amon Amarth continues to strengthen their hold as one of my favorite bands.
#5 – Sylosis – Edge of the Earth
Guitarist Josh Middleton took over vocal duties and I think the band is better for it. He has a great range of harsh vocals, and the clean vocals aren’t nearly as forced and…whiny sounding as those on the previous album. The musicianship continues to grow among the band and the dynamic Middleton has with guitarist Alex Bailey is a pleasure to listen to. This album is packed full of speedy thrash riffs, soaring melodies, and plenty of intricate solos. The guitar tone on this album is killer. Clocking in at more than 70 minutes, there isn’t much filler throughout the album as most of the songs flow well throughout and the riff factory that the band operates keeps each song interesting. This band has a lot of potential, but no one really seems to have heard of them. Hopefully this album will change that.
#4 – Machine Head – Unto the Locust
If any band was capable of making a follow up to the “Metal Album of the Decade” or the “Modern Day Master of Puppets” it’s Machine Head. Whether it’s as good as The Blackening is questionable, what not is the fact the band have created yet another masterpiece. Rob Flynn has one of the best voices in metal and the guitar work between him and Phil Demmel continues to become more and more impressive. The section beginning from 3 minutes into “Be Still and Know” maybe be my favorite minute of metal this entire year. The band continued what they accomplished with The Blackening and added a few new aspects to their sound that ultimately enhanced it. The use of the string quartet in a few spots, and the moody feel of “Darkness Within”, really gave this album a different feel from it predecessor. Hell; they even managed to use their kids in a track and make it work! With the upward ascent the band continues to ride, it will be awesome to hear what they do next; hopefully we won’t have to wait 4-5 years for it!
#3 – Revocation - Chaos of Forms
While this year has been anything but stagnant in the metal world, Revocation gave us a breath of fresh air with Chaos of Forms. There’s not much I can say that hasn’t already been said about these guys. Dave Davidson has received numerous accolades this year, and it’s hard to argue. The energy and soul he plays with and the character that comes from his playing is infectious. It only took a minute and twenty seconds for this album to make my jaw drop. The riff that takes hold at that moment in “Cretin” just blew my mind with its speed. Whether it’s the rabid thrash riffs, the breakneck solos, or the jaw dropping progressive movements, everything Revocation accomplishes is done so smoothly and with a flare that no other band in metal can match.
#2 – The Human Abstract – Digital Veil
Digital Veil came out forever ago. When it came out I thought “Album of the year for sure” over the remainder of the year, it held strong through a plethora of releases and I can confidently say it belongs among the top releases of this year. The Human Abstract accomplishes things in 36 minutes that many bands can’t accomplish in a career. With guitarist A.J. Minette back in the fold and with the addition of (now ex) vocalist Travis Richter, the band effortlessly blended classical composition with metal in a way few have done. While metal bands have incorporated symphonic elements into their music for awhile now, the composition and three guitar attack leads to the epic feel of classical music solely within the five instruments on the album. This band is so stacked with talent. What impressed me most with this were the precision and smooth transitions within the technicality of the bands playing. This was truly a modern metal masterpiece and in my opinion, The Human Abstract are one of the only ___-core bands that are really offering up something innovative and refreshing in their approach.
AND THE WINNER IS……….
#1 – PROTEST THE HERO – SCURRILOUS
“And what a f*cking waste of a day, we just lay around and waste away because when that sun goes down it’s bottoms up, and we try to reach the bottom of that endless cup. Everybody’s getting older, but no ones growing up.” WOW, can I relate to that line sometimes! I’ve never really cared much about lyrics in metal, but Rody Walker demands your attention on Scurrilous. I’ve never heard a band’s vocalist become such an intricate part of an album. Not only areWalker’s lyrics an amazing read, his delivery is unreal. The dude is singing his ass off in “Termites” and “Tongue-splitter”, its just so damn fun to listen to. That’s the other thing about the band I like. They’re just FUN to listen to. There’s a comedic value within some of the lyrics, but musically there’s so much going on, this album refuses to become old. Between the intricate tapping, and sweeps by guitarists Luke Hoskin, Tim Millar, and bassist Arif Mirabdolbaghi, and the start/stop drumming of Moe Carlson, there’s not a dull moment on the album. With how much they have going on musically, their transitions flawless. This album is just so damn smooth! Scurrilous was heavy, melodic, gritty, technical, and catchy all at once, and was easily my most listened to album this year…in fact, I’m going to go listen to it right now.
-Chris
Protest the Hero. Hair Trigger. Video. Awesome.
Oh, Fuck, YES! Winning on so many levels! Thank you Protest the Hero, you have made this day infinitely better. Watch the glorious video for “Hair Trigger” off Scurrilous below.
-Dan
Protest the Hero Headline Shows Announced!
Protest the Hero will hit the road along side Scale the Summit and Last Chance to Reason at the end of next month. They have a Fort Collins date so you can bet Dan and I will be there.
11/28 – Grand Rapids, MI @ The Intersection
11/29 – Iowa City, IA @ Blue Moose
11/30 – Minneapolis, MN @ Station 4
12/02 – Colorado Springs, CO @ Black Sheep
12/03 – Ft. Collins, CO @ Aggie Theater
12/05 – Reno, NV @ The Alley
12/06 – Chico, CA @ Senator Theater
12/07 – Anaheim, CA @ Chain Reaction
12/08 – Tucson, AZ @ Skrappy’s
12/09 – El Paso, TX @ Tricky Falls
12/11 – San Antonio, TX @ White Rabbit
12/13 – Pensacola, FL @ Vinyl Music Hall
12/14 – Tampa, FL @ State Theater
12/15 – Jacksonville, FL @ Freebird Live
12/16 – Greensboro, NC @ Greene Street Club
12/17 – Charleston, SC @ Music Farm
12/18 – Charlotte, NC @ Amos South End
12/19 – Knoxville, TN @ Valarium
12/21 – West Springfield, VA @ Jaxx
12/22 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Mr. Smalls
The band has also set November 1st as the release date of their music video for the track “Hair Trigger” to coincide with the tour. The band has some amazingly epic and/or ridiculous videos and actually are probaby some of my favorites from any band period. Dan and I go back and forth every so often with super bad videos we think Protest the Hero would be great at covering…maybe someday we will share some of those. While their video for “C’est La Vie” was awesome, it definetely was not in the humor category. The band posted some pics on facebook and offered this about their new video:
Wracking our brains for an idea that would solidify us as the coolest, manliest rockers in not only canada, but planet earth itself – we ended up choosing tandem bikes, go carts, skipping ropes, and you guessed it – roller skates.
November 1st shall be awesome.
-Chris
Protest the Hero – Scurrilous
Protest the Hero made waves with their previous album Fortress, a modern piece of progressive melodic metal with a technical flare that gave the band a unique sound. The band’s third album Scurrilous delivers a fuller sound, while embodying all the traits the band have become known by.
While the band’s playing has always been highly impressive, it’s the vocals of Rody Walker that have really distinguished the band from their counterparts. His performance throughout Scurrilous is his strongest to date. 
While his more harsh vocals still peek out at times, his clean vocals shine throughout the album. He sounds particularly massive on the songs ”Termites” and ”Tongue-splitter”, as well as “Tapestry”; where he brings back his scat-like vocal breakdown heard on “Bloodmeat” from Fortress. The song “Hair-Trigger” also features vocals from Jadea Kelly; who has previously contributed to the band’s songs.
Musically, Protest the Hero continue to impress. The guitars are so busy through each song it almost sounds as if you listened to a 45-minute guitar solo. Their are plenty of dual-melodic parts like the Iron Maiden-esque section midway through “Moonlight” or the crazy exchanges throughout “Tapestry”. Bassist Arif Mirabdolbaghi has got to be one of the most underrated bassist in this genre. The guy has some killer bass lines and fills and often goes note-for-note on the speedy guitar sections, delivering another impressive performance.
There is a lot of depth to this album. On first listen, I didn’t really think the tracks stood out as much as those on Fortress, but you hear more and more with each listen and there are plenty of hooks. The guys do a great job combining so many separate parts into such fluid sounding songs. I love hearing bands progress with each album and Scurrilous is definetely a step forward for Protest the Hero.
-Chris
Protest the Hero set release date for new album
On March 22nd, Protest the Hero will release their new album Scurrilous. Finally! A release date! What is scurrilous, you ask?!? According to Webster’s: 1a: using or given to coarse language. 1b: vulgar and evil. 2: Containing obscenities, abuse, or slander. So, if that isn’t enough to get you pumped for March 22nd, we probably can’t be friends. If you haven’t checked out the band’s studio updates, I highly suggest you do. Here’s the last one they released:
The band is also rumored to be headlining a trek with Maylene and the Sons of Disaster and TesseracT. Only one date has been confirmed, when the others are released, we will definetely let you know.
UPDATE! 1/18/2011: The band has posted the dates for the above North American tour as well as International dates HERE!
-Chris
Protest the Hero Avoid Piracy, Settle for Dance-off Instead.
With not much happening on the news front, and the release of the last few ‘big’ albums this year, I’ve had a lot of time to think. First off, how the hell am I going to afford to see Slayer/Megadeth, Alice in Chains, Between the Buried and Me/Cynic/Devin Townsend Project/Scale the Summit all within a few weeks of each other? (Donations or job offers are welcome for both Dan and I) The downtime also has me pondering my top albums of the year, but thanks to an incredibly awesome album by the aforementioned BTBAM, its been hard to recollect the previous 11 months worth of music…Damn you 6-song, hour-long, chunk of progressive metal goodness!!! Both Dan and I will have our favorite albums up sometime in the next few weeks, but for now, enjoy a video from the Village People……..yes the Village People. Then watch the newest video from Protest the Hero, there is a connection and trust me, it’s worth it.
-Chris
