Canadian prog metallers Protest The Hero are ringing in 20 years of their 2005 debut album “Kezia” with an elaborate new vinyl set. In addition to remastered audio, this outing features live footage and audio, a zoetrope pressing and more. Reflecting on that milestone and detailing this new release, the band offered:
“It’s hard to believe, and honestly a little terrifying, that Kezia was released over twenty years ago.
Working on it after school in our parents’ basements for what felt like an eternity now feels like another lifetime. It’s pretty wild what five little cheesedicks can create when they hunker down with a common goal. Sure, we took some breaks to organize and run a small fight-club operation where our friends would come and lay hands on us, but for the most part, we kept our heads down!
Anyway, twenty years felt like a milestone worth commemorating. Following in the footsteps of the 20th Anniversary Edition of A Calculated Use of Sound, we wanted to create something truly collectible, and part of a “set”. So we did!
What you’re seeing here is a hardcover-housed 3xLP edition of Kezia. Discs AB and CD feature the original album, remastered for vinyl by our longtime friend João Carvalho. The third disc is a live recording of the album, captured during the 10th anniversary shows with the original lineup.
For the first time ever, we’ve also created a zoetrope picture disc in collaboration with Animated Record Company, who were an absolute joy to work with. Inspired by the firing squad theme from the album’s concept and the video for Blindfolds Aside, it’s a fitting and, we think, very cool addition to this deluxe set.
Inside the hardcover you’ll find a 24-page booklet featuring lyrics, credits, and additional artwork by the inimitable Jeff Jordan, all designed and laid out by our friend and now live PTH drummer, Matt Kidby.
Tucked into the back cover are the final collectible pieces: a newly designed CD featuring the original album audio, and a Blu-ray disc of the full Kezia 10-Year Anniversary performance.
This pressing is limited to only 1,000 copies, and each is individually numbered in handsome red foil on the back of the book.
When they’re gone, that’s it. We will never press it in this format again. So now is your chance to own a little piece of our history, and yours.”
You can place your pre-order for it now via sheethappenspublishing.com. The group have also issued the below live video for “Blindfolds Aside“, as featured on the included “Kezia Live” Blu-ray. Orders are expected to begin shipping on February 27th.
