Kezia (album)

Kezia ( /kəˈzaɪ.ə/ kə-zy-ə) is the debut full-length release by the Canadian progressive metal band Protest the Hero. It is considered a concept album.

Overview

Production began in late 2004 overseen by Julius "Juice" Butty as their producer-in-chief (known for his work on Alexisonfire's gold-selling album Watch Out!). After mounting anticipation from fans, Kezia was released in Canada on August 30, 2005 selling 500 copies in the first week and went on to sell more than 5000 copies in the next 2–3 weeks, not including off-stage sales at the several release parties and shows the band played the week of release.^[6] The American release on April 4, 2006 debuted with an online contest where the first one hundred album purchases were rewarded with an additional album - A Calculated Use of Sound, the 2004 reissue.

Kezia is a concept album, described by the band members as a "situationist requiem". The lyrics tell the story of a woman named Kezia and her execution by firing squad. The story is chronicled in the perspective of three characters: the priest who presides over her execution, one of the prison guards who is to kill her, and Kezia herself. Each character is designated a section containing three songs, with a single retrospective finale concluding the album. According to the band, each of the three characters represent an aspect of the band members themselves.

Reception

The album achieved universal acclaim with many reviewers praising the album for its technicality and Walker's vocal range. Corey Apar of Allmusic states: "Sounding as if maximum emotion were packed into every second possible, each note of Kezia bleeds urgent passion — from the searing vocals of Rody Walker to blistering guitar leads to acoustic midsong breaks to compelling harmonies and growls alike."^[2] Furthermore, Kezia received a nomination from Toronto based radio station 102.1 the edge for their 2005 CASBY Awards for Favorite New Indie Release,^[7] and received a glowing review in Time Canada magazine.

The song "Bury the Hatchet" is available for download on the Xbox 360 version of Guitar Hero II. "Divinity Within" is also featured on the soundtrack to NHL 07.

Videos

Protest the Hero's second music video, for the song "Blindfolds Aside", was released in November 2005. The video features Protest the Hero as both condemned victims and executioners. The condemned are wearing blindfolds for the majority of the video and playing their instruments whereas the executioners are dressed as soldiers. The video contains the song shortened by 35 seconds, removing some instrumental sections that appear on the album version. "Blindfolds Aside" receives light rotation on the music television station Much Music, but greater exposure on the brother channel Much Loud. The video was filmed in Toronto, Ontario.

The band filmed their third video for the song "Heretics and Killers" in mid-February 2006. It was released in April 2006. The video features the band dressed as the flying monkeys from The Wizard of Oz who have lost their jobs as flying monkeys as a result of the evil witch's death. The video switches from scenes of the band playing together in a small room to individual band members begging and doing street jobs. The video is shot entirely in sepia until an explosive instrumental break-out in which vibrant colours are used for the remainder of the video.

On May 17, 2007, the band shot a video for their final single from Kezia, "The Divine Suicide of K". It features a more gothic setting where the members of the group sing in an imaginary bar for female vampires.

Track listing

All songs written and composed by Protest the Hero. 

Personnel

Band members

• Rody Walker — vocals
• Tim Millar — guitar
• Moe Carlson — drums
• Luke Hoskin — guitar, piano, backing vocals
• Arif Mirabdolbaghi - bass, backing vocals

Other personnel

• Jadea Kelly — vocals
• Paul Distefano — vocals
• Julius Butty — production, recording, mixing, additional vocals
• London Spicoluk — vocals, executive production
• Lucas Venditti - Vocals
• Marco Bressette — additional guitars and string arrangements
• Joao Carvalho — mastering
• Garnet Armstrong — art direction and design
• Ivan Otis — photography

References