Protest The Hero has confirmed a November 13, 2007 release date for Fortress, their second full-length album on Vagrant. The 10-song set was produced by Julius "Juice" Butty and recorded at Silo Studios in Hamilton, Ontario.
"This album is nothing to be intellectualized," stated lead singer Rody Walker. "All talk of wonder, pathos and optimism (blindfolded) aside (hink). I feel it's a very natural progression for us. A natural progression into further obscurity. I am of the belief a lot of the people who work for us were hoping for a stab at a more commercially viable album, however we wrote what we wanted without linear boundaries and created something less commercial than ever. Some fans of the band will hate it. And some people who hate the band will love it. All others can rot."
The band has not revealed any further details, other than to indicate that Fortress will not revolve around a single concept, like Kezia, their 2006 debut but is instead more closely akin to "
goddess worship in the tradition of Robert Graves," according to lyricist and bassist,
Arif Mirabdolbaghi.
The band will begin touring immediately and is set to open five dates with Shadows Fall followed by a string of dates with All That Remains. More dates will be announced shortly.
Protest The Hero formed seven years ago when the members were just 14-years old and released their highly acclaimed debut, Kezia, in early 2006. Decibel said of the disc, "Kezia is one of the most exciting start-to-finish amalgamations of thrash/power metal and punk/hardcore I've stumbled across in ages. Possibly ever. The musicianship here dazzles."Â Revolver added, "With its bombastic bohemian rhapsodies, electrifying flashes of tech virtuosity, eviscerating thrash attacks, and dreamy acoustic refrains, Kezia might be the year's most magnificent debut."
Protest The Hero is: Rody Walker (lead vocals), Tim Millar (guitar, vocals), Luke Hoskin (lead guitar, vocals, piano), Moe Carlson (drums), and Arif Mirabdolbaghi (bass, vocals).
Tour dates are below:
09/11 - Portland, ME @ The Station *
09/12 - So. Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground *
09/13 - Poughkeepsie, NY @ The Chance *
09/14 - London, ON @ Fanshawe College
09/16 - Springfield, VA @ Jaxx *
09/18 - Louisville, KY @ Headliner's Music Hall #
09/20 - Fargo, ND @ House of Rock at Playmakers #
09/29 - Spokane, WA @ Big Easy #
09/30 - Bend, OR @ The Domino Room at Midtown #
10/02 - Las Vegas, NV @ Jillian's #
10/03 - Tucson, AZ @ The Rock #
10/05 - Austin, TX @ Emo's #
10/06 - Oklahoma City, OK @ Conservatory #
10/07 - Little Rock, AR @ Juanita's Cantina Ballroom #
10/08 - Memphis, TN @ New Daisy Theatre #
10/09 - Knoxville, TN @ Blue Cats #
10/10 - Raleigh, NC @ Lincoln Theatre #
* - w/ Shadows Fall
# - w/ All That Remains
/ my profile 
