Protest The Hero Announce New Album “Within” – Share Lead Single “Mouthpiece”
Canadian prog metal veterans Protest The Hero have announced their long-awaited new album, “Within”, which is set for release on July 17th. The eight-track record serves as the band’s first full-length effort since 2020’s “Palimpsest” and was co-produced by Derya Nagle (Good Tiger), Milen Petzlet-Sorace, and Protest The Hero’s Cameron McLellan. Mixing duties were handled by Adam “Nolly” Getgood, known for his work with Periphery.
After teasing new material throughout the week on social media, the band have now premiered the album’s opening track, “Mouthpiece”, alongside a music video directed by Troy Maher.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=videoseries
Speaking about the new album, guitarist Tim MacMillar said:
“This record is us putting our foot down. We’re not interested in participating in that system anymore. We’re focused on the future. And for the first time, it’s completely in our hands.”
The band also elaborated on the meaning behind the album’s title and overarching themes:
“Most people are pretty familiar with hermetic maxim ‘as above so below’ but the entire passage isn’t quite as well known. ‘As above so below, as within so without, as the universe so the soul.’ Obviously, I focused on the middle portion of the quote. ‘Within’ represents the individual inner world, which is largely defined by our thoughts, emotions, and beliefs. The songs are all representative of how external factors affect our inner world. With that being said it’s probably the most personal stuff we’ve ever released.”
Vocalist Rody Walker offered additional insight into “Mouthpiece”, noting that it stands apart from the rest of the record:
“On the record focused on the micro, ‘Mouthpiece’ is the only song from a macro perspective. This is not without reason. It is about the controlling powers that have convinced us that everything needs to be divided into binaries despite the fact that very few things truly exist within them. It describes a world of brilliant colour reduced to black and white by charlatans like podcasters and corporate media. It suggests the only true binary we should pay attention to is the very wealthy and everyone else.”
“Within” Track Listing:
“Mouthpiece”
“Fishhook”
“I. Above”
“Grandfather’s Axe”
“The Orchard”
“II. Below”
“Liberty Spike”
“The Mariner”
With “Within”, the prog metal outfit appear poised to deliver one of their most personal and introspective releases to date while continuing to push the technical and creative boundaries that have defined their career.
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