Overly produced studio music is easy to come by nowadays. Bedroom bands are beginning to sound as good any big-wig studio band, equipment pending of course. A lot of bands still opt for the raw sound though. Like something recorded in a tin sardine can. And I’m fully on board with that. There’s nothing like a fresh cut of raw rage bleeding through the speakers (and probably wrecking them. Protestant are a band that have never failed to deliever on giving us a maddening, raw cut of rage that could strip paint right off of walls.
Protestant is a Milwaukee, WI crust band with plenty of hardcore and metal influences to spare. The band has built a lengthy legacy since their formation in 2004 releasing a total of four LPs (including the new one), a variety of splits and singles, and even a few CDrs. The band is solidly punk in their approach with high octane live performances and similarly executed albums. Judgements and Stalemate rank among some of the best the crust genre has to offer.
In Thy Name is the most metallic sounding of Protestant’s discography. Previous pieces like the aforementioned Judgements sound like something recorded back in the 80s. The stripped down nature of the albums make them sound more like they were recorded in a few takes, and less like they went, “Okay, lay down drums. Alright, guitar. Vocals. Bass?” It’s closer to a live recording. In Thy Name has this in full force but the band has become fuzzier, which kicks the feeling up to eleven.
The first booming track “Vengeance” sets the mood for the rest of the album. Pure, stripped, pissed off crust screeching through the speakers. Everything sounds explosive and thundering. The drums especially. The song cuts mercilessly and barely breaks down. The second track “Carrion” has the same push. A wailing guitar lead follows throughout most of the song until a d-beat section kicks in and gives the track even more oomph.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyAn22uEF20[/youtube]
In Thy Name clocks in around thirty minutes with eight tracks (I know Discogs says nine, they’re wrong). The way the album blazes by makes it seem much shorter. There are slowed down sections beyond breakdowns. “Blood” is more akin to a sludge song with twang. It’s downtempo push makes it out to be more of a slow burner. Until you get to the faster parts, which ends up being most of the song. “In Thy Name (Hell’s Insanity)” is blistering mixture of crust that twists into sludge and drone. It's one of Protestant's most fevered songs.
The execution of In Thy Name is where Protestant truly nailed it. The album flow keeps the adrenaline pumping song after song. There aren’t much in the way of transitions. Just one explosive song closes and the next knocks down the door. In Thy Name breaks up tempo changes well. The album actually teeters slowly from the fiery viciousness of “Vengeance” until it gets to the crawl of “In Thy Name.” Only to reverse and smash through the rest of the record with a wrecking ball attitude.
Those that liked The Hate. The Hollow. will enjoy In Thy Name. Though this release sounds more like a buzz saw and previous efforts such as Judgements, it is still an excellent record from an excellent band. In Thy Name is straight forward and does little to let up. I’ve heard some people complain about the drum recording, but I see nothing wrong. They sound perfectly honed with the rest of the album. Like they’re blowing shit up with every strike. This is pure hardcore-punk crust in the vein of Tragedy or His Hero Is Gone. Or just, you know, Protestant. If you haven’t taken the time to check them out, now would be it. In Thy Name kills.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9fXrn7F4Es[/youtube]
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