On January 23, 2006, the band signed with Vagrant Records for Kezia's American release on April 4, 2006. Their second full-length album, Fortress was released by Underground Operations in Canada and by Vagrant Records worldwide on January 29, 2008. The band released their third studio album, Scurrilous, on March 22, 2011.
The band released their independent and latest album, Volition on October 29. 2013.
Members
Rody Walker – lead vocals
Tim Millar – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
Luke Hoskin – lead guitar, backing vocals, piano
Arif Mirabdolbaghi – bass guitar, backing vocals
Mike Ieradi – drums, percussion
The Divine Suicide Of K.
Protest the Hero Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like if I brought the joy I found in the confessions of a mask
The tip of my tongue's already touching the top of my mouth
It's meaning manifest in mercy burning down the house
It's true that tactless teem totem-poles turn tolerance to tired taboos
It's true that a bullet never knocks on the door, it's about to come crashing through
Walking one last mile in big steps as your alter-wine
Doing it in tattered shoes that aren't even mine
Like the gunman with his future and the prison priest's golden calf
Blindfolds aside I'd probably still close my eyes
And try to feel a trembling fetal life inside that shotgun barrel that's about to make me bleed
Like an ulcer in the stomach of the beast
Like a little girl on a bed that was years ago deceased
Resurrected last night with a letter she can't trace
Resurrected to be killed and maybe born again
I'll always be Kezia so long as any hope remains
The Divine Suicide Of K. by Protest the Hero is a song that speaks of sacrifice, empathy, and social justice. The lyrics begin by pondering the questions that will be asked before delving into the specific circumstances that led to K.'s demise. The confessions of a mask refer to the therapeutic and cathartic nature of sharing one's innermost thoughts anonymously. K.'s mercy is juxtaposed against his metaphorical burning down of the house. He has made an impactful decision to end his life to bring attention to the societal problems he vehemently opposes. The song later touches on society's double standards as demonstrated by the taboos surrounding tactless teem totem-poles, which turn tolerance into tiredness.
The second half of the song speaks to the act of sacrifice from a personal perspective. It highlights the pains and discomfort that one can endure while walking towards such sacrifice. The chorus emphasizes the strength of one's own identity and its steadfastness even in the face of death. Even with a blindfold on, Kezia would close her eyes and attempt to empathize with the shooter's supposed internal turmoil. Kezia would place herself in harm's way to end societal injustices and bring desired change.
Line by Line Meaning
Better think of my answers now because I know the questions with be asked
I need to anticipate what others might ask me and prepare my answers ahead of time
Like if I brought the joy I found in the confessions of a mask
For example, did I derive pleasure from wearing a mask and bearing my soul?
The tip of my tongue's already touching the top of my mouth
I'm ready to speak my truth, and I can feel the words forming on my tongue
It's meaning manifest in mercy burning down the house
My message is powerful and transformative, even if it causes destruction or upheaval
It's true that tactless teem totem-poles turn tolerance to tired taboos
It's unfortunate, but when people express their views in a crass or insensitive way, it can make others less receptive to their message
It's true that a bullet never knocks on the door, it's about to come crashing through
Bad things can happen suddenly and without warning, and we need to be ready for them
Walking one last mile in big steps as your alter-wine
As I approach the end of my journey, I am walking with confidence and purpose
Doing it in tattered shoes that aren't even mine
Even though my resources and circumstances are limited, I am determined to press on
Because my own are in a box locked up with possessions I can't have
I am restricted by circumstances beyond my control, and am forced to make do with what I have
Like the gunman with his future and the prison priest's golden calf
I am like someone who is fixated on something they cannot have or attain, much like the gunman who knows he has no future or the prison priest who covets a forbidden item
Blindfolds aside I'd probably still close my eyes
Even if I could see, I would still be inclined to hide from the harsh realities of the world
And try to feel a trembling fetal life inside that shotgun barrel that's about to make me bleed
I would try to seek out something meaningful or positive, even in the face of danger or violence
Like an ulcer in the stomach of the beast
My presence and message are like a painful reminder of an illness or problem that needs to be addressed
Like a little girl on a bed that was years ago deceased
My message is haunting and unsettling, much like the memory of a deceased child who never got the chance to grow up
Resurrected last night with a letter she can't trace
The memory of this child has come back to me, but I don't know why or how
Resurrected to be killed and maybe born again
Even though the child is long gone, I still carry the memory with me and it has shaped who I am today
I'll always be Kezia so long as any hope remains
No matter what happens, I will stay true to myself and hold on to hope for a better future
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ARIF MIRABODLBAGHI, LUCAS HOSKIN, MORGAN CARLSON, RODY WALKER, TIM MILLAR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mac_records
It's kind of scary to think that these guys wrote this album in high school.
@DoenerDuesentrieb
wtf... and its still awesome
@metalluchakingluden6584
Still listening after all these years and never fails to make me feel better when I listen to this band
@lejanni
a friend of mine committed suicide a few days ago....he was a big PTH fan...I hope he will be resurrected one day
@LWDIII
The big chorus at the end of this song is one of the catchiest things I've ever heard. Probably in my Top 5 for favorite songs of all time.
@MournInEvProductions
One of the best songs of any genre that I've ever heard in my life, struggle for hope, and a hope for the right answers, so much emotions running through this song anger helplessness, and dignity. PTH is something else, mad props
@xxnarnarnarxx
Kezia is the main character of the story that the album tells. She is jailed for an untold crime and the album is about her conviction and jail time I believe
@Chaosweaver667
The girl's voice is so beautiful.
@Zsmart
Blindfolds aside, I'd probably still close my eyes..
@SolarGrooving
Not only is this metal, but this is some of the most well-written music written by some of the most technically proficient metal musicians alive