PROTEST THE HERO
VENUE UNDERGROUND ARTS, PHILADELPHIA, PA, USA
DATE 12/11/2023
SUPPORT MOON TOOTH
It’s been three and a half years since Protest The Hero put out Palimpsest, so their Halloween Is For Always tour focuses entirely on older tracks. That’s not an issue, though, because tonight’s concert showcases why their brand of zany progressive metal never goes out of style. Strengthened by support from the equally frenzied and fun Moon Tooth, it’s an evening full of quirky costumes, banter and music.
Moon Tooth’s tongue-in-cheek vibe is apparent as soon as they walk out to an electronic beat featuring loops of Jeff Goldblum’s laugh from Jurassic Park. Highlights of their 45-minute set include the pop-punk/emo desperation of Nymphaeaceae, the rugged stoner/hard rock tinges of Carry Me Home and The Conduit, and the relatively calm and catchy Alpha Howl.
Protest The Hero offer a wideranging performance, with about as much content coming from Palimpsest as from predecessors Volition, Scurrilous and Fortress. Opener Goddess Bound establishes their penchant for non-stop theatrics, fusing dynamic rhythmic changes, manic guitarwork and Rody Walker’s trademark screams and clean vocals into a grippingly complex and hectic journey. It – as well as Soliloquy, All Hands, and Skies – incorporates slower breakdowns and softer moments, too, but it’s largely a chaotic ride.
None of the other songs are out-andout peaceful, yet some of them (such as C’est la Vie, Bone Marrow and especially The Fireside) put more emphasis on emotional hooks and soothing arrangements. It’s here that Protest The Hero best demonstrate their ability to craft melodically rich songwriting that gets virtually everyone cheering, singing and clapping every step of the way.
The show is further enhanced by Walker’s and Moon Tooth vocalist John Carbone’s humility and joviality, as they frequently make jokes and energise the already animated crowd. Walker spontaneously invites a woman to sing part of Clarity and, later, he eagerly brings someone onstage who’s dressed as the racer from the Hair Trigger video.
On that note, the bands, audience, and venue fully embrace the spooky season. The room is full of flashing coloured lights and fake spider webs; plus, numerous people – including some of the musicians – are dressed in costumes that range from Barbie and Batman to ninjas, hotdogs and skeletons.
In multiple ways, Protest The Hero (and Moon Tooth) provide a delightful prog metal party. Not only do they play some of their greatest material, but they let their fun-loving personas shine between the tracks. Bolstered by the Halloween aesthetic, the night is a wonderfully festive and intense confirmation that both bands are still at the top of their game.