Scurrilous
Encyclopedia
Scurrilous is the third studio album by Canadian progressive metal band Protest the Hero
. It was released on March 22, 2011 on Vagrant Records
in the US and Underground Operations
in Canada. The word scurrilous is defined as "vulgar verbal abuse; foul-mouthed; coarse, vulgar, abusive, or slanderous."
page on that day: "it has begun" and also on his Facebook page on the 31st that "It is underway", both in reference to the band's next full length album recording. During the recording process, Protest the Hero
posted three studio updates showcasing bass, drums, guitar and vocals. The band has stated that the album will contain a more "progressive" sound compared to their last two albums.
In support of the album, Protest the Hero will embark on a North American tour, with a large number of dates in their native Canada, from March to May 2011.
The band released the first single "C'est La Vie" on February 3, 2011.
Guest musicians
Artwork and packaging
Production and recording
Protest the Hero
Protest the Hero is a Canadian progressive metal band from Whitby, Ontario. Originally named Happy Go Lucky, the band line-up has remained the same since their formation in 1999. The band changed their name to Protest the Hero shortly before releasing their debut EP, Search for the Truth, in 2002...
. It was released on March 22, 2011 on Vagrant Records
Vagrant Records
Vagrant Records is an indie rock label based in Los Angeles, California and is home to such artists as The Hold Steady, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, Active Child, PJ Harvey, Reptar, School of Seven Bells, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Thrice, James Vincent McMorrow, Placebo, and many...
in the US and Underground Operations
Underground Operations
Underground Operations is an independent punk rock record label based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Established in 1995, the label was originally based in Ajax, Ontario....
in Canada. The word scurrilous is defined as "vulgar verbal abuse; foul-mouthed; coarse, vulgar, abusive, or slanderous."
Overview
Recording for Scurrilous began on August 30, 2010. Walker stated on his TwitterTwitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
page on that day: "it has begun" and also on his Facebook page on the 31st that "It is underway", both in reference to the band's next full length album recording. During the recording process, Protest the Hero
Protest the Hero
Protest the Hero is a Canadian progressive metal band from Whitby, Ontario. Originally named Happy Go Lucky, the band line-up has remained the same since their formation in 1999. The band changed their name to Protest the Hero shortly before releasing their debut EP, Search for the Truth, in 2002...
posted three studio updates showcasing bass, drums, guitar and vocals. The band has stated that the album will contain a more "progressive" sound compared to their last two albums.
In support of the album, Protest the Hero will embark on a North American tour, with a large number of dates in their native Canada, from March to May 2011.
The band released the first single "C'est La Vie" on February 3, 2011.
Cover art
The album cover is a picture of a 60-year-old painting by bassist Arif Mirabdolbaghi's grandfather, Jafar Petgar, titled "Scurrilous". The painting was inspired by a disagreement between Petgar and his wife that stemmed from "conjecture and scurrilous lies" being spread by a neighbor. The painting is meant to represent the world fleeing from the lies originating from the human tongue. According to Mirabdolbaghi, the piece was selected by Protest the Hero as the cover art for Scurrilous because they, "thought the wide and varied use of color in the piece reflected the contrasting sonic landscapes of the music on the album."Reception
Critical reception for Scurrilous has generally been positive, with the album receiving four out of five stars from Allmusic, who lauded the band for its shift towards more personal lyrics. Adam Thomas of Sputnikmusic found the album to be "a lot less jarring when compared to their past work, with the transitions between the light speed arpeggio runs, tight modern metal riffing, and mathy stop start sections seamlessly binding it all together." However, Decibel magazine gave the album a five out of ten.Track listing
All music by Protest The HeroPersonnel
Protest the Hero- Moe Carlson – drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
- Luke Hoskin – guitars
- Tim Millar – guitars, keysKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
- Arif Mirabdolbaghi – bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Rody Walker – vocals
Guest musicians
- Julius ButtyJulius ButtyJulius "Juice" Butty is a Canadian record producer. He was a 2007 nominee for the Jack Richardson Producer of the Year Award.- Producer credits :* Kristin Nicholls Band* Alexisonfire* The Gorgeous* Sleeper Set Sail...
– vocals - Chris Hannah – vocals
- Porter Hoskin – vocals
- Jadea KellyJadea KellyJadea Kelly is a folk musician from Whitby, Ontario, Canada. She has released two LPs and two EPs to date. Kelly's 2008 full-length album, Sounds of Spring, produced by Ross Hayes Citrullo, was honoured with the "best country" award at the 2008 Toronto Independent Music Awards.Kelly was given...
– vocals
Artwork and packaging
- Ben Goetting – design, layout
- Jafar Petgar – artwork
Production and recording
- Nick Blagona – engineering
- Marco Bressette – editing
- Julius "The Juice" Butty – engineering, productionRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
- João Carvalho – mastering
- George Hadji-Christou – pre-production
- Jonny Harris – assistant engineering
- Andy Mack – guitar technician
- Darren "Jeter" Magierowski – assistant engineering
- Larry Mazer – management
- Cameron McLellan – pre-production
- Greg Pavlica – guitar technician
- Jeff Zurba – drum technician
External links
- Scurrilous album stream at Myspace Music
- Track-by-track from Rody Walker
- Album Review