The concept album is an art that isn’t exercised nearly as much as we would like, but Nashville based musicians The Protomen are taking the notion of a story and blowing it up to absolutely epic proportions. This band, which really is more of a cast of characters, has created an entire world of alter-egos and recently released the second installment in their story, aptly titled Act II.
The work of The Protomen is based on elements of the NES game Mega Man, but twists the plot with their own take the story, which paints a largely dark and foreboding Orwellian nightmare. Those who are familiar with the video game will understand this plot with no trouble, but for those who are less informed, The Protomen may go over your heads.
In this version of the tale instead of wreaking small time havoc with six robot masters, Dr. Wily has effectively crushed the spirit of mankind with his mass of machines. Dr. Light still creates the character Protoman, but over the course of twelve years and in secret. Protoman is symbolic as a savior, given the title “the son of Light.” Protoman is created to stand up against the leaders of Dr. Wily’s robot army, but is defeated. Though at first his spirit is broken, instead of standing down Dr. Light creates a second robot, Megaman, who takes it upon himself to continue the fight. What we learn next is that the previously thought to be destroyed Protoman is indeed alive, but now leading the robot army because of his belief that “there are no heroes left in Man.”
The story continues to paint a contrast between hope and loss of faith, with an eventual defeat and the conclusion that “…a hero is just a man who knows he is free”.
Though the story is clearly much more detailed than that, we simply cannot divulge all the details in their entirety here- its something that has to be gleamed from listening to the epic two-part tale the band has created.
In the 2009 released Act II the saga continues, and while we’re hearing about the same story, musically it is a departure from Act I. With the stories focus now being on the time before society had been shrouded in darkness, this second installment brings in a larger variety of musical elements. Produced by Alan Sacklock (Meatloaf, The Alarm, Bonnie Tyler, Roger Daltry) and mastered with Richard Dodd (Tom Petty, Roy Orbison, George Harrison), with additional production input from the band, Act II is a record with much more backing behind it than the genre “video game music” probably leads people to expect.
From the instrumental intro and Johnny Cash-esque voice heard in the half-spoken track ‘The Good Doctor’ to the epic choir and crashing cymbals of tracks like ‘Give Us The Rope’, the dark, brooding story of Act I is still present. However we hear examples of the bands Nashville roots in songs like ‘Father of Death’ and a rocking n’ rolling vibe of Psychobilly in ‘The Hounds’- a divergence from the darkness of previous Protomen work.
There’s also an undeniable allusion to 80’s metal throughout all of The Protomen’s tracks, with the addition of a horn section, oodles of synth, and strings backing up their sound. With theatrical qualities in their vocals akin to the likes of Franz Nicolay at some points, and at others of a more epic hair metal quality, The Protomen are without a doubt one of the most unique and complex acts we’ve come across.
Though we know our job here at Reviewsic is to pick apart albums in order to properly explain them to new listeners, this is one that pushes even our comprehension. The Protomen are simply a band that needs to be heard in order to be understood, because of the combination of theme, character, and over all composition. Fortunately the band is currently on tour, so curious listeners far and wide will have the chance to experience The Protomen live, just as they are meant to be heard.
Chicagoans can experience The Protomen for themselves this Thursday, April 1st at the Beatkitchen along with Super 8 Bit Brothers and Alter Eagle. Show at starts 8pm, 17+ $8 advanced, $10 at the door.
Tags: Artist Review, Music News, New Music, Upcoming Show, Video
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