Arif From Protest The Hero...

[rary1]

I'm not sure what everybody's opinion here is on metal, and especially this type of progressive metal, but this bass player is, in my opinion, the golden bassist of my generation.
I don't know how to spell his last name, as it's crazy, but his name is Arif, and he plays in the band Protest The Hero.
In Canada, Protest The Hero are really big, and they actually have a song on NHL 09 (you know you've made it big when... lol)
Anyways, here is a link to one of their songs. He plays with his fingers, he uses 5 string Spector basses(although in this video he uses a steinberger which I think is badass) and I think he's a ridiculous player. He doubles guitar lines, he uses tapping and arpeggios in a very unique way.



note: I pretty much expect everyone to say, "I hate that singer" so just pay attention to the bass playing lol. Also, I realize the video is wierd and focuses on the guitar players a lot, so just listen up for the bass playing

 

[Stickk]

He's good, but I wouldn't say the "Golden Bassist of My Generation". He looks pretty BAMF in the video though.<LOL. "Bloodmeat" has way better bass though.

 

[Valerus]

he's one of the reasons why I listen to PTH

 

[rary1]

Haha, is that him showing Brad Pitt his archery skills?

 

[Barkless Dog]

Great & silly band. I enjoy them.

 

[Gawd]

He's great. He also writes all of the lyrics for Protest The Hero, and in case you've never paid attention to their lyrics, they are amazing, kezia is like a novel in the form of song.

I met him when they played at MTV Canada, he was surprised when I told him I played bass, apparently he mostly meets guitards.

 

[Aenima]

note: I pretty much expect everyone to say, "I hate that singer" so just pay attention to the bass playing lol. Also, I realize the video is wierd and focuses on the guitar players a lot, so just listen up for the bass playing

Actually i love Rody's voice, and your right Mirabdolbaghi is one hell of a hard last name to pronounce

Sequoia Throne Ftw man! Blindfolds aside was the song that got me into them for sure

 

[Pedulla?]

OH MY GOD PROTEST IS MY FAVORITE BAND! Everything about them is perfect (imo) Arif is absolutely ridiculous! He has the ability to know when to double the guitar lines, groove in the pocket, or just go off and play crazy counter melodies, and he does it all with amazing technique without taking anything away from the song. Protest The Hero are simply the best (once again imo) and that all goes without mentioning the lyrics which are all crazy concepts about women's rights, and god, and society's general stance on whats right and wrong in this day and age. Actually me and a few buddies just road tripped up to Chicago two weeks ago to see them headline, it was immaculate protools be damned these guys really do deliver just as well live as they doing on recording. Check'em out they'll improve your quality of live. Both cds are perfect (imo) but a key track on each would be:

Turn Soonest To The Sea (Kezia)
Bone Marrow (Fortress)

But really every single song by them is simply incredible, you really can't go wrong.

 

[Daywalker]

I just recently rediscovered this group. I remember seeing the Heretics & Killers (Flying Monkeys) video years ago, and kinda forgot about em sadly. But yes, Arif is a sick, sick player, actually everyone in the band is pretty amazing. And YES, I love Rody's voice, his vocal range is absolutely incredible!!! If you like this band, I'm sure you'll also enjoy BTBAM!!! Dan Briggs is also very inspirational to me...

edit: Blood Meat is another good example of Arif's skillz.....

 

[anthowl]

yeah, he's good. his tone isn't really to my taste, though it goes with the music well.

there's a vid on youtube of the Isolated bass track to Sequoia Throne,
but I think one of the best songs for hearing his bass is Palms Read.
it also has a video, check it out!

 

[f'nar f'nar]

I was actually just listening to PTH and I agree, Arif is astounding. I don't think he's the best of our generation but he's damn close.

His stuff on Fortress blows me away every time I hear it and his tone is amazing.

I'm still foggy though, did he only use the steinberger for the video or did he record with it as well? I'm curious because this song seemed to stand out tonally for some reason, even before I knew about the steinberger possability.

 

[JimmyM]

You have an entire channel devoted to hockey in Canada???

 

[f'nar f'nar]

Isn't NHL 09 a game? Like Fifa 09?

 

[JimmyM]

Oh, a video game. Ya, don't know the first thing about video games.

Anyway, those guys made my brain hurt. All fantastic players and the singer is really good, but man, nobody will be humming those songs as they leave the show.

 

[SMASH]

Good band, good player. I much prefer Beteen The Buried and Me, which I find more complex and without whom I don't think PtH would exist.

Keep on rockin' !

 

[MusicBokonon]

I really like them, but I think they get a lot of crap for being over the top in their instrumentalism and bombastic-ness, much like Dream Theater. If it sounds good, who cares how complicated it is?

 

[JimmyM]

I really like them, but I think they get a lot of crap for being over the top in their instrumentalism and bombastic-ness, much like Dream Theater. If it sounds good, who cares how complicated it is?

I don't care about that. But I do like to be able to sing along. No way I could do it with that

 

[grifff]

Thought this picture was pretty sick:

 

[MusicBokonon]

I don't care about that. But I do like to be able to sing along. No way I could do it with that

I like to sing along...about 4 octaves lower though. Maybe I'm weird like that.

 

[Deluge Of Sound]

I really like them, but I think they get a lot of crap for being over the top in their instrumentalism and bombastic-ness, much like Dream Theater. If it sounds good, who cares how complicated it is?

There are some of us who think that complexity for the sake of complexity doesn't sound good.

I'm pretty shocked to see only one Between The Buried and Me recommendation... and no Opeth at all. What the hell do you progressive dudes listen to now-a-days?