Protest The Hero – Kezia

I’d heard lots of good things about these young teens from Toronto, so when I got Kezia, I was excited to hear what it would sound like. After one listen I threw it to the back of my pile and I really couldn’t see why people went on about it. A few days later, Much Music played their video for “These Colors Don’t Run.” and I really liked the song and was surprised to find out it was Protest The Hero. Right then I was determined to give Kezia another chance, and after really given it a solid listen, I’m glad I gave it another chance.

Now, normally, this isn’t my kind of music. But there’s something about Kezia that makes me want to listen to them. Think of Closet Monster, a million times more technical and faster, merged with the vocals ofComeback Kid and you could get a slight image of what Protest The Hero is. The blistering fast guitar solos literally melt your face as you wince at the thought of how fast those fingers would be flying up and down the frets. Just looking at the album from a technical aspect, you are amazed. What these guys are able to do on their debut as eighteen year olds are what some bands search for their entire careers.

But still, kicking it up a notch is the surprising variations in the vocals. Of course there’s the hardcore vocals ala Comeback Kid style along with the needed gang vocals in the background adding an extra layer to it all. Then there’s the smooth yet sporadic singing vocals that remind me of System of A Down and you find yourself in awe at the vast amount of tones Rody Walker can reach. Throw in the addition of the female vocals on songs like Blindfolds Aside, She Who Mars The Skin Of God and The Divine Suicide of K. and your just in shock.

But the one thing that makes you come back over and over again? The lyrics. They aren’t so much lyrics as they are stories and protests on political issues. Just look at the lyrics for Turn Soonest To The Seaand you will be demanding proof that these guys just graduated high school.

I wrote this off at first, but now I can’t stop listening to it. So give it a chance, and like me, you wont’ regret it.