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[NotTheGuyYouKill]

And their music is just delightful! Though in the weirdest way. I assume a lot of people know about them, but they're an awesome rock opera/synth rock whatev band outta Nashville most well known for an ongoing series of albums that adapt the story of Megaman into a horrific Orwellian dystopia tale.

Act 1 details Dr Light's efforts to fight Wily's regime and the creation of Megaman. Act 2 details how the world got into such a shitty state. Whenever Act 3 is released, I suppose it'll be the ultimate end of the story. And this shit is dark, but so well done. It's an amazing rendition of the story.

I haven't listened to the Cover Up album yet, but I think it slots in between two songs in Act 2.

Here's a few tracks to get an idea of the vibe:

Unrest in the House of Light
Light Up The Night
The Hounds

The second album (haven't listened to it all yet) is a bit more polished and different in vibe, I guess since it's a prequel...

Anyway, it's basically going from this:

to this

But in a totally legit way.

 

[ColdPizza]

Hope Rides Alone

 

[Vincent Alexander]

Act II is amazing. I can't wait for Act III. I believe guy who wrote with Meatloaf helped them write their songs

 

[Modest Mauser]

The Protomen are so much fun.

I've seen them live a few times. They do a great show.

Been waiting for Act 3 for ages though.

 

[bigkrev]

I just realized they are playing a show in 1 week about 20 mins from where I live. I saw Act 2 at Magfest in 2012 at 1AM and it was my favorite concert experience ever, so I'm pretty excited!

 

[Hindenblewp]

Act II is a real fun album. I don't think I've met anyone who couldn't jam out to Light Up the Night.

 

[PAULINK]

Light up the night is in Rock Band 4, that's how I found out about them

 

[yencid]

i really like the cover up even though its not their regular megaman based music. Super fun band.

 

[Oblivion]

Yeah, I learned of them a few months ago. Pretty talented bunch. Light Up The Night is an absolutely killer track.

 

[andrerobot]

I given everything I can...
There are no heroes left in man!


Edit: yeah, Light up the night is a fantastic track. One of the best of the 2nd act, my favorite though is Here Comes The Arm.

 

[Zapages]

very 80s ish... Very cool. Thanks for sharing about them... I have been listening to Dancing with Dead which really 80ish as well but more techno...

This is cool: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8R8MkEsgf-I

 

[Althane]

From

They watched them beat him, they watched them break them, they watched his last defense deployed

To

Now with one power shot, you'll see what vengeance means!

Good stuff. First album is fantastic, second is just as good. I'm not a fan of their Queen album, but that's because I'm more of a fan of when they make their own stuff.

 

[shaowebb]

Welcome to the ride. I've been a fan for years and been to multiple concerts. I was the 80's as shit dude at the act 2 release concert in Nashville. Crowd was awesome...we were in line for HOURS and these dudes with no tickets who were standup comedians who had traveled cross country in hopes of getting in were there working the crowd. Comedy, sing alongs, you name it...the band came out and gave them tickets to thunderous applause. The pit folks were sending human body tidal waves around and me and a friend were acting as defensive line to hold the tides back and help anyone who fell. I even got to use the line from The Terminator when giving my hand to a girl who fell "Come with me if you want to live" which got her back in the swing and smiling again.

The band is cool throughout their many many changeup of members. Their Queen cover show is amazing and their "Cover Up" album of classic rock covers is equally so.

There are even act 3 songs out right now including my favorite This City Made Us

Have fun. They're a good bunch of dudes.

BONUS: Heres some more act 3. "Hold Back the Night"

 

[tearsofash]

They are from my home town.

 

[Sou Da]

Act 3 songs have been great so far. The ending to Act 1 is movie tier good, truly Orwellian.

I also really like their cover of Under Pressure. Like even more than the original.

 

[NotTheGuyYouKill]

The ending of Act 1 would legitimately make a fantastic film ending.

 

[Persona7]

oh yeah I totally forgot about this band. damn that one album came out in 2009? seems like yesterday.


Is act 3 still coming out?

 

[MasqueradeOverture]

The "Breaking Out / Keep Quiet / Light Up The Night" suite is one of the most awesome moments in all of music in my opinion.

 

[phoenix296]

Oh man, it's been a while. When is act 3 supposed to come out?

 

[ZiZ]

They are amazing. One of my favorite bands of all time.

Is there anything similar? Not necessarily video game related. Just an epic Rock Opera with great lyrics.

 

[Gaston]

Act 2 is just godly. I need Act 3.

 

[NotTheGuyYouKill]

They are amazing. One of my favorite bands of all time.

Is there anything similar? Not necessarily video game related. Just an epic Rock Opera with great lyrics.

Yeah, I'd be down to hear more stuff like this.

Act III will be amazing after these two set it up. Might be the greatest "Fuck yeah" moment in music, or the most downhearted sadness ever. Could go either way.

 

[XANDER CAGE]

I've met them a few times, great folks. Love their shows. I was lucky to cop the Act I vinyl.

 

[NotTheGuyYouKill]

Sons of Fate is one of the coolest album climaxes ever.

Also heartbreaking.

 

[SolVanderlyn]

Light up the Night is now my favorite song.

No hyperbole. Thank you for this thread.

 

[GotchaForce]

Rock Band 4 bummed me out but hooked me on them. Was talking to my best friend today whom I got to listen to and he saw them in concert the other night.

I'm really surprised there's no fan animation of the whole albums, I'd Kickstart that.

 

[SoulUnison]

Rock Band 4 bummed me out but hooked me on them. Was talking to my best friend today whom I got to listen to and he saw them in concert the other night.

I'm really surprised there's no fan animation of the whole albums, I'd Kickstart that.

I'll probably get kicked in the face for dropping the name here, but I'd love for the Protomen albums to be Homestuck'd.

Full-length, synced-to-the-music animations would be beautiful.

EDIT: Maybe a better term would be "Interstella 555'd."

 

[greycolumbus]

The Cover Up is great cover album.

Silent Running might be my favorite song of theirs.

 

[Noisepurge]

The Cover Up is great cover album.

Silent Running might be my favorite song of theirs.

yeah was about to say that it's "just" a cover album and not really related eagerly waiting on Act 3 though.

 

[NotTheGuyYouKill]

I wonder what other classic games could be adapted in this style.

 

[CreeperBlocks]

I wonder what other classic games could be adapted in this style.

Castlevania?

 

[Lebron]

Spotify introduced me to them in one of my Discover Weekly playlists. Really liked them.

 

[Pai Pai Master]

Welcome to greatness

 

[Weetrick]

They are great! Both albums are really fun and achieve a different mood.
I've been waiting for Act 3 (and Act 2 vinyl) for quite a while. Can't wait!

 

[aBarreras]

Light up the night is such a good song.

 

[MacGurcules]

This is a great day to be you, OP. Their game-related/synth stuff is great, but check out their Queen live album, too. It is amazing. Catches all of the right energy. I actually like their version Hammer to Fall better than the original. I wish I could have seen that show live.

 

[JC Lately]

Can we all now agree that “The Hounds” is the best villain song ever?

Yes, even better than that one you’re thinking of.

 

[M0nochromatic]

I just stumbled across them browsing through video game related music, and they're fantastic.

Light Up The Night is sincerely one of my favorite songs.

 

[CreeperBlocks]

Light up the night is such a good song.

It's so fucking good. Ugh. I would love to see these guys live.

 

[ultron87]

Really happy to see some Protomen love. They're the band I've seen most live. They're awesome. I hope the full Act 3 comes out some time this decade; the two songs they've released from it are great.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNtXuKBu3gE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNtXuKBu3gE

 

[SolVanderlyn]

Oh no

 

[NotTheGuyYouKill]

Here comes the arm...

 

[NotTheGuyYouKill]

I have listened to Act 2 in its entirety several times now.

I'm fully convinced this is one of the best albums recorded post-2000. It's so good. Just oozes skill and drama and emotion.

 

[NotTheGuyYouKill]

'Intermission/The Good Doctor' is one of the best album openers I've heard. Forgot it as a Mega Man rock opera. It's just a beautiful song. So bittersweet, filled with hope borne of hubris and need.

'The Hounds' is one of the coolest villain songs ever. Like a dark Disney villain song, amped up on its nastiness.

'Father of Death' I'm not so fond of.

'Breaking Out', 'Keep Quiet', and 'Light Up The Night' might be one of the coolest sets of songs I've had three joy of listening to. Such high energy, gets you pumped up like you wouldn't believe.

 

[Disgraced]

Hell yes, they're a badass band.

'Father of Death' I'm not so fond of.

Disagreed! I love that rockabilly shit.

I love their cover of 'In the Air Tonight.' Unnnnff.

A stage adaptation could be so god damn cool.

 

[ZoronMaro]

Congrats OP. I've been a big fan for a while, ever since I heard The Megas mention them randomly, but I've never seen them live it's on my bucket list.

Overall I prefer Act I to Act II, but their best songs all come from Act II. I can't wait for Act III.

 

[MetroidPrimeRib]

If these people
Tell this story
To their children
As they sleep
Then maybe someday
They'll see a hero
Is just a man...
Who knows he is free

 

[NotTheGuyYouKill]

If these people
Tell this story
To their children
As they sleep
Then maybe someday
They'll see a hero
Is just a man...
Who knows he is free

 

[bigkrev]

Currently waiting for them to come on stage in Philly. Warm up act they are traveling with, The Bit Brigade, is awesome

 

[gwiz210]

Opened for these dudes a couple times a few years ago. Sweetest people I've ever met.