When a band sets off to make their first full-length album, they have to think about a lot of things. They need to decide what kind of feel they want for the album, what themes will be central, what style they will use for each song, etc. You have to give these kinds of things time, and let the album grow slowly. You can't rush beauty. Protest The Hero is a perfect example of this. It took 2 straight years of brainstorming, composing, and story-telling to make Kezia. That's a long time. Especially for a 10-song album. However, the best things are usually the ones that take the longest, and Protest the Hero have released what is, in my opinion, the best album of 2005. Fans agree. If you look on this website at the top rated albums of 2005, Kezia is #1. That's quite an accomplishment for a bunch of 19-ish Canadians. It's quite an accomplishment for anyone.
Kezia is as much an album as it is a story. It has everything a story should have. There are interesting and dynamic characters, plot twists, and beautiful poetic language. There are three main characters in the story of the Kezia, each with their own purpose in the story. There is the prison priest, the prison guard, and Kezia. we start off the album knowing very little about any of these characters, but as the album progresses, we learn more and more of their twisted tale. This review will cover not only the structure of the songs, and how good they are, but also an analysis of the plot as it happens in the story.
Act I: The Prison Priest
No Stars Over Bethlehem - (3:48)
Right off the bat, tension is built, and the background noises get louder and louder. When they finally start, we get launched right into the song headfirst. This song uses a lot of religious references, and seems to be less about the priest himself, and more about his views on religion. So far the main story has not entered, and we don't know exactly what's going on. The song is pretty, maybe not the best, but not bad. The guitar playing in this first act feels very epic and foreing, and you can really feel yourself in Jerusalem or Bethlehem. It's quite a nice effect, and very tranquil. 4/5
Heritics and Killers - (3:09)
The guitar playing, while very different from the last song, sounds very similar to the last song. That's one of the problems with this act. Despite all the differences between guitar parts, they all carry a similar sound to them, and makes the songs sound repetitive. THis song is pretty good despite this. I like how at the beginning he sings over top of the acoustic guitars and calm tranquil background noises. In this song, we find out that the priest has used God to fortify his entire life, but now he belives that God has deserted him. He feels like a fake, like a beggar in priests clothes. This leads to the central conflict in the story. This song is pretty good, but not my favourite. 3.5/5
Divinity Within - (4:32)
Protest the Hero were definately thinking about the story when they composed the acts. This is the final song in Act I, and it's a doozy. Once again, the song sounds similar to the rest of the act at the beginning, but that is quickly forgotten. This song is just too awesome to compare to the rest of the Act. The cries of "I watch my temple fall to pieces" is actually line from Heritics and Killers, and is repeated well for dramatic effect. At the end, when the song gets slower and more melodic, every part of me wants to cry. The pure emotion of the ending to this song is overwhelming. And there's a good reason for all the emotion. In this track, we are finally introduced to Kezia, the main character, and find out the priests connection to her. It turns out that she has commited some sort of crime, and is to be executed for it. The priest is the one who has to ask for her final words, and basically condemm her to death. His religious plight returns, and he doesn't know if he can do what he has to do. He feels that he doesn't have the right to decide who lives and who dies. The song ends right as the execution is about to take place, and right as Kezia is about to say her final words. What happens? We don't know. The song ends there. Perhaps the next act will tell us? Overall, the best song in Act I, and a fitting closure song. 5/5
Overall Act Rating: 4/5
Act II: The Prison Guard
Bury The Hatchet - (3:23)
The song starts off fast and hard, and you can tell that this is going to be very different from the last act. The style of guitar is far more aggressive, and truly personifies the type of person the prison guard is. The lyrics are, to say the least, gruesome. We learn that the prison guard is basically the executioner, and is responsible for the killing of prisoners. He does his duty without remorse. Why? Because that's what he has been trained to do. It's as simple as that. The hardest song on the album, this one will really attract metal heads. 4.5/5
Nautical - (2:57)
This is the shortest song on the album, and the least important to the storyline. It's sort of a tribute to their former, more political songs. Although I suppose this could be taken as one of the guard's angry rants, it's more just a throwback to civil unrest. The guitar work is pretty average and boring. Probably the worst song on the album. Still, not terrible. 3/5
Blindfolds Aside - (5:58)
The first single off the album, and God it's catchy. Yes, the guitar work is not quite as impressive as in other songs, it makes up for it with amazing vocals and a soaring emotional climax. The solo is beautiful, and the bridge to the finale is so profound. But the best part has to be the climax. Once again, Protest were thinking while composing this. This is the final part of Act II, and, as in Act I, the climax is so full of emotion and power that you can't help but feel something. Afterwards, there is a bit of beautiful acoustic guitar work, and some singing from the female in the band (I forget her name). The song starts and ends, storywise, in the same place Divinity Within did: the execution. After the ranting that was Nautical, it seems that the guard is beginning to feel some sympathy towards Kezia. He believes that if he murders her, he will cease to be a man, and will become no more the a murderer. The entire song is one great big guilt trip. At the climax, the song is sung from Kezia's perspective. She gives him a choice: kill her and, in the process, kill a part of yourself, or drop the gun, and take control of your life. This is it. The execution is about to happen. The prison guard chooses... who knows? This act sure as heck doesn't tell you. Once again, we are left wondering what has happened. One more act now... maybe the story will finally be resolved. The best track on Act II. 5/5
Overall Act Rating: 4.5/5
Act III: Kezia
She Who Mars The Skin Of Gods - (3:51)
OK, we finally arrive at the story of Kezia herself, and it's a sad story. This is really reflected by the slightly sad style of guitar used in this act. The end of this song really makes the feeling of the rest of the song. The combination of the female vocals, Rody's vocals, and the slow guitar, create a feeling of overwhelming sympathy for the character of Kezia. We learn about her history in this song, and it's not pretty. We learn that her mother died when she was young, and it is implied that it may have been the father who killed her. This is sort of the catalyst for Kezia's actions later in the act. Another great, emotional track. 5/5
Turn Soonest To The Sea - (6:21)
This song is basically about sexism. There are some very obscure references used in this song, including one reference of Vesta, a Greek Goddess that usually represents female empowerment. This track is my second favorite on the album, and at a whopping 6 minutes long, there's a lot to love. The piece goes all over the place, and contains everything you could ever hope for in a song. There's even a sing-along part at the end. It's very catchy, and is a fan favorite. Storywise, this song basically is about the world Kezia grows up it: a sexist, male predominant world. Basically our world on steroids. The song talks about how every women is expected to live up to certain ridiculous standards, such as social obligations and labels from everyone. In fact, it's even implied that Kezia might be in jail because she tried to empower females. It's a very interesting concept, and leads nicely into the final song in Act III. Overall, an amazing track worth listening to over and over again. 5/5
The Divine Suicide Of K - (5:09)
Wow... I... Um... Wow. Without a doubt, THE BEST TRACK ON THE ENTIRE ALBUM. The first time I heard this song, I literally began to cry. I'm serious. This track melts my pants. The ending to every act is always the best in my opinion, and this is no different. I can't truly explain the emotional depth of this song. I can only say that it's mind-blowing. There are so many different parts, and they are all amazing. The tapping vocals are tear-endusing, and the female in the band makes her strongest appearance yet. When the guitars at 2:30 started, I literally felt as if I were floating on a cloud. The climax, is once again, perfection reborn. The perfect combination of overlapping singing and powerful screaming/shouting. At the end, the female finishes the song slowly and quietly. Now, on to the story. The entire song is basically Kezia preparing to be executed. She makes references to the prison guard and the prison priest, and we finally believe that the ending will be cleared up. What will happen? Will the priest neglect his duties towards God? Will the guard spare Kezia's life? What is going to happen? Suspense is built, and the resolution seems in sight... but once again, Protest The Hero tricks you. There is no clear ending. It is a cliffhanger ending if there ever was one. Eventually, you come to realize: There doesn't need to be an ending. It was all about the journey. When you realize that, you realize the point of the entire album. Overall, I this this song is one of my favorite songs of all time. 10/5
Overall Act Rating - 5/5
Grand Finale
A Plateful Of Our Dead - (4:29)
This is basically a message from the band. It basically is a way for them to explain the album. It's a great track, and, if you got lost in the story, it's a good way to clarify what the point of the album was, without spoiling it for you. The outro is one of the high points of the album for me. It's an emotional, acoustic ballad, and you leave the album feeling totally satisfied. 4.5/5
Overall 5/5
This is without a doubt one of the greatest albums I've ever listened to. Protest The Hero are not just one of the greatest Canadian metal acts ever, they are also amazing storytellers and artists. I would strongly recommend this album to metalheads, artists, and anyone who likes to think about what they're listening to. Thank you for reading this uber-long review. Hopefully, you don't feel you've wasted your time, and you've come away from this with a new understanding about a little girl inside of all of us. Kezia.
