#steve saylor

Alright, so in light of the amazing show I had the pleasure of attending this past Friday night at the Opera House in Toronto, I’m going to be doing this weeks album analysis on one of my favourite albums from Canadian progressive metal band, Protest The Hero. I got to see Protest for the second time on very last minute, yet extremely successful plans. One of my favourite parts about the show on Friday was the fact that the Opera House is a rather small venue which creates an extremely intimate atmosphere with not only the band but all the fans attending. Because there are so many people in such a small space all for one specific reason it almost feels as though you have a personal connection with them, even though most are complete strangers.

This show was special in that, Rody and the boys decided to play Kezia front to back (as well as a special 2 song encore, finishing off the show with Bloodmeat from their 2008 album Fortress). Kezia is a ten track album released in 2005 and displays various songs with intricate, melodic and entrancing guitar shredding and chant worthy lyrics. 

I’m going to handle this album review a little differently because there is one particular song on the album that I have much to say about that I feel deserves a whole post.

This song is first song that really got me interested in buying Protest’s albums, “Turn Soonest to The Sea” is track eight on Kezia. Protest has a way with their guitars in that, especially during the intro of this song, it sounds as though the guitars are speaking, rather, fighting, back and fourth with each other. While one takes the spot light, flowing freely over the frets and strings, the second follows right after but not intrusively, so slightly that it feels as though they are communicating on a human level to each other. The complex guitar licks and phrases infused with the heavy metal riffs in this song, the entire album, and their entire discography for that matter, is truly one of the things that, being a guitarist, stands out to me and really makes me appreciate the hard work and pure, raw talent it requires to get music like this together.

I actually discovered this song in a rather random way. I was in grade 6 and had just discovered this game on the internet called “Flash FlashRevolution.” Basically, it was a version of Dance Dance Revolution but using keyboard keys on the computer. Back when Myspace was used by most people and especially musicians, I went on Protest’s Myspace curious to check out their music after seeing the music video for “Blindfolds Aside” track six. I noticed they had an embedded link to this game and I instantly got addicted.. to the game and the band! The game also featured more songs like “No Stars Over Bethlehem” track one and “The Divine Suicide of K” track nine.

The last point I want to bring up about this song is the possibility of it containing one of my favourite lyrics of all time. About two and a half minutes into the song the intense vocal screams and heavy guitar cuts, and lingering guitars overtop of military-esque drumming come to the forefront as Rody speaks a phrase of lyrics, my favourite being “dignity is not physical and your flesh means more than you”, the line “your flesh means more than you” is then repeated three times after with background accompaniment vocals giving is a chant-like feel. I have had the pleasure of seeing this particular song live twice, and I can say from the bottom of my heart that there is no other more cathartic feeling than screaming lyrics like those and launching yourself straight into the mosh pit as soon as the breakdown begins and the whole room begins to chant “your flesh means more than you.” 

I will never feel so connected to complete strangers anywhere else other than a metal show at a small venue. Overall I love this band, this album and will continue to buy tickets to their shows as long as they tour.

Thanks for reading, I’m going to post a link to the song “Turn Soonest to The Sea” in a following blog post because I am currently not Tumblr Savvy..

I’ll see you guys next week!

As I begin a new project of what will be a few that I want to accomplish throughout the year, I wanted to write this.  I saw the idea of writing a letter to oneself about the things I would want to do in 2014.  Some changes I wanted to happen in my life and some encouraging words I can go back to if things get tough.  It's not a list of resolutions, it's a document of what I hope 2014 to be.  

Listen to the audio above, or on YouTube, if you want to hear me read the letter out loud, otherwise you can read it below.

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Dear Steve,

You're 30 now.  By all intents and purposes you're an adult.  It's scary I know.  Living three decades on this beautiful blue and green marble is a feat not easily accomplished, but you did it.  2013 was an amazing year for you.  Without even realizing it, you spent your last year of your twenties doing things you never thought possible.  You've created new friendships that have become the closest you've had in years.  Remember those times you sat in your room by yourself wondering why no one wanted to hang out with you?  That's all changed buddy.  You are loved not only by family but by friends who deeply care for you.  Remember that in 2014.  You don't have to sit in a corner anymore feeling sorry for yourself.  Your friends are there for you.  They live busy lives as much as you do, but all it takes is a text or an email, or a Facebook message or even a phone call for crying out loud, and they are there for you.  That shyness you had about yourself is gone now.  Be proud of who you are.  Be proud of what God made you out to be.  As someone once told you the way you are when you're 30 is the way you're going to be for the rest of your life.  So take this year and with God's, your family's and your friend's help, kick it in the balls!  I know you have a deep fear that because 2013 was amazing that 2014 will be horrible.  What once was up, must come down.  Why the hell are you thinking that way?  2014 is what you make of it.  Not of some worry that it's going to suck.  You seek out that fear and you will find it.  So don't even bother.

You have big plans, you always do.  You build up this expectation of things to come in your head that whatever happens gets you discouraged.  Don't be.  The fact that you accomplished any goal is amazing!  Love the act of finishing things.  It's far better than the accolades you will get for that thing.  You made something out of nothing.  Be happy about that!  Remember your own words, THINK BIG, scale small.

Be kind, be fun, be generous, still carry that large heart of yours and never let it shrink because you think the cynical world expects you to.  Be courageous.  Do things you only dreamed about.  Be positive.  The world can put you down for who you are, don't let it.  There is much good in this world, you've seen it.  Keep that goodness and share it with others around you.  Be spontaneous.  Do more things on a whim.  It's never about "Why?"  It's about "Why Not?"  Be assertive.  Make the first move.  You never know where it may lead.  Just be AMAZING!  It's not hard, just help make the world around you suck less and you've literally changed the world.  Also be yourself.  That sounds cliche, but the secrets in life are found in cliches.  

In summary, let 2014 be just a year on a calendar that you fill with many memories.  That is what makes up a year.  Not a list of accomplishments, but with amazing memories.

As always I remain obediently yours

Steve