by James Zalucky
Sometimes it's hard to separate awesome underground bands from crappy ones. Contributor James Zalucky is willing to take one for the team and go through our massive collection of demos from unsigned artists and every now and then, pick one he likes and pitch you on why you should like them. Here is the third installment:
Protean Collective
Protean Collective is a progressive metal/hard rock band from Boston, MA. While their music roams through intricate arrangements and thoughtful modes of expression, the band maintains a raw, aggressive attack on the senses. With expressions both “cerebral and emotive”, the band’s unique sound brings the unity of the two concepts into sharp relief. Their influences include bands like Porcupine Tree, Soundgarden, Meshuggah, Pain of Salvation, Rush, Queens of the Stone Age, Mastodon, Tool, King Crimson, and Opeth. Hell, with taste like that, how can you go wrong?
The Band:
Graham Bacher- Vocals, Guitar
Steph Goyer- Guitar, Vocals
Dan Ehramjin- Bass
Matt Zappa- Drums
Why You Should Care
Talented, driven, and incredibly underrated; Protean Collective has spent the past 6 years pushing their name, building a reputation throughout the Northeast, but the time has come to spread the word further. Shakefist Magazine fittingly remarked that “In Boston, when there are twenty bands for every one show-goer, it’s hard to stand out. Protean Collective does not have this problem.” One might assume that, due to their various influences and themes, their music could sound erratic and unfocused. To the contrary, Protean Collective takes well constructed, memorable melodies and brands them into your mind with a stark and foreboding sense of power and aggression. Graham's unique voice is matched by dizzying riffs that crash into massive Meshuggah-style grooves, bolstered by a versatile and captivating rhythm section. A challenging style like progressive metal rarely wins the listener over so quickly, but with a sound both thought provoking and exhilarating, Protean Collective does so at an instant. If you're looking for an intelligent, yet forceful sound, you definitely need to check these guys out.
Convinced?
Protean Collective is currently playing shows in support of their self-released album “Divided” and is seeking out official management for more extensive touring. If you want to give the band a try or just want to know a little more, follow the links below.
Official Site: http://www.proteancollective.com/
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/proteancollective
Twitter: http://twitter.com/procollective
