Protest The Hero Homecoming Full Of Screams And Projectiles

Chants of "Protest! Protest!" echoed through the walls of the Sound Academy from the second the doors opened for Protest The Hero's show. I don't know if people were more impatient or impressed that Protest were headliners for the show with Chiodos on Friday night.

Rumours had circulated on the internet that Protest were going to be the first band on stage, so fans rushed to pack the building shortly after the doors opened. They were probably disappointed when they saw who was on the stage.

These were Protest's new labelmates on Underground Operations, Lights, rocking out on the keytar and synthesizers — something that I don't think the assembled headbangers appreciated.

Chiodos were unfazed by all the "Protest" chants. I don't like Chiodos' albums whatsoever, but they burned through their set and proved to be amazing live — especially their lead singer Craig Owens — who may actually be a vampire.

When the curtain opened and revealed Protest The Hero, fans went absolutely insane. The familiar sound of their fast-paced, unpredictable metal hit the speakers and I immediately got hit by a full bottle of water somebody had thrown. Throwing things was a consistent theme throughout the night, whether it was shoes, people or other projectiles.

Lead singer Rody Walker claimed he was sick and his throat was extremely sore, but that didn't stop him from screaming and bellowing at the top of his lungs. He's one of the nicest guys in the world, but he looks like he'll kill you if you get in his way when he's in concert mode.

Protest's unique take on progressive metal has obviously garnered them a lot of followers, because the Sound Academy was packed with rabid fans who chanted along with them and thrust their fists in support of the band's rage and sheer volume.

They mostly played new material, with "Bloodmeat" and the guitar frenzy of "Sequoia Throne" drawing the largest reaction from the crowd, measured by the amount of stuff thrown at the stage. Protest responded by throwing a few of their own cherry tomatoes playfully back at the audience.

The Protest was about an hour long, with no encore, which disappointed some fans. But their pure energy was enough to make up for the modest set. The show was the bright spot on a night that left many concert-goers stuck in the streets. The Toronto Transit Commission decided to go on strike on less than two hours notice at midnight, which left a lot of us doing our best Rody Walker impersonation and screaming at the top of our lungs.