Within (Protest the Hero album)
| Within | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
.jpg) | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | July 17, 2026 | |||
| Genres | ||||
| Length | 35:56 | |||
| Label | Self-released | |||
| Protest the Hero chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from Within | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Boolin Tunes | 8.5/10[3] |
| Distorted Sound | 9/10[4] |
| Kerrang! | 4/5[5] |
| New Noise Magazine | 4.5/5[6] |
| Sonic Perspectives | 8.5/10[7] |
Within is the sixth studio album by Canadian progressive metal band, Protest the Hero released July 17, 2026. The album marks as the group's first truly independent release, in contrast to their fourth studio album, 2013's Volition which was independently financed through crowdfunding by fans via IndieGogo.[8][9]
Following six years since their previous album, Palimpsest in 2021, Within is also notable as Protest The Hero's shortest full-length, to date (despite being less than a minute longer than their 2016 subscription-based EP, Pacific Myth). [10]
Although it hasn't been officially confirmed by the group, Within has been widely speculated to be the first half of a two-part project, with the second half; their presumed consecutive seventh studio album intended for release at a later date. The theory stemming primarily from the album's painted artwork following its release, which was revealed to form part of a much larger mural that depicts a pair of rams framed against a central setting sun; imagery that plays into the album's themes of duality.[11] Within was preceded by the album's only single, "Mouthpiece" on June 4, 2026. [12] Upon its release, The album was met with critical acclaim from critics and fans alike. [13][14]
Background
Vocalist Rody Walker explained, "There is definitely a theme on the album about a return to nature. It's referenced in almost every song. Truthfully, water and ocean metaphors are just so fucking easy. Pacific Myth is all about how easy and kind of cheap it is. And it's so easy and cheap that I accidentally continue to do it over and over again."[15]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Mouthpiece" |
| 05:05 |
| 2. | "Fishhook" |
| 05:14 |
| 3. | "i. above" |
| 01:30 |
| 4. | "Grandfather's Axe" |
| 05:09 |
| 5. | "The Orchard" (featuring Jadea Kelly and Chris Cresswell) |
| 04:40 |
| 6. | "ii. below" |
| 01:02 |
| 7. | "Liberty Spike" |
| 05:42 |
| 8. | "The Mariner" |
| 07:29 |
| Total length: | 35:56 | ||
Personnel
Protest The Hero
- Rody Walker – lead vocals, writing, lyrics
- Luke Hoskin — lead guitar, backing vocals, writing
- Tim MacMillar – rhythm guitar, backing vocals, writing (tracks 5, 8)
Additional session musicians
- Cameron McLellan – bass, production, engineering, editing
- Milen Petzelt-Sorace – vocal production, editing, arrangement, backing vocals (tracks 1, 2, 5, 8), writing
- Nathan Bulla – drums, percussion (tracks 1-2, 4-8)
- Jadea Kelly – additional vocals (track 5)
- Chris Cresswell – additional vocals (track 5)
- William Lamoureux – violin, cello, producer (tracks 3, 6), writing (track 3)
- Mike Ieradi – additional writing (track 5)
- Dylan Ryche – acoustic guitar (tracks 2, 4, 8)
- Jill Sauerteig – additional cello (tracks 3, 8)
- Nat Andres — backing vocals (tracks 1, 2, 5)
- Jordan Bernard — backing vocals (track 5)
- Kaitlin Bernard — backing vocals (track 5)
- Rylie Ewing — backing vocals (tracks 1, 2, 5)
- Sandy MacMillar — backing vocals (track 5)
- Megan Marsh — backing vocals (track 5)
- Tyler Parish — backing vocals (tracks 1, 2, 5, 8)
Technical
- Derya Nagle – guitar production
- Adam "Nolly" Getgood – mixing
- João Carvalho – mastering
- Sebastian Sendon – mixing assistant
- Darren "Jeter" Magierowski – additional drum engineering
- Jill Zimmermann – additional drum engineering
- Martin A. Wittfooth – album artwork
Charts
| Chart (2026) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Album Downloads (Official Charts)[16] | 24 |
| UK Independent Albums Breakers (Official Charts)[17] | 20 |
References
- ↑ "INTERVIEW: PROTEST THE HERO Get Aggressively Personal 'Within' New Record". MetalInjection.net. July 17, 2026. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
- ↑ "Protest The Hero - Within - review". Metal Storm. Retrieved 23 July 2026.
- ↑ Kiera Falke (2026-07-16). "ALBUM REVIEW: Protest The Hero - Within - Boolin Tunes". Boolin Tunes. Retrieved 2026-07-23.
- ↑ Dan McHugh (2026-07-18). "ALBUM REVIEW: Within – Protest The Hero". Distorted Sound. Retrieved 2026-07-23.
- ↑ "Album Review: Protest The Hero – Within". Kerrang!. Retrieved July 23, 2026.
- ↑ "ALBUM REVIEW: PROTEST THE HERO - WITHIN". New Noise Magazine. Retrieved July 23, 2026.
- ↑ Smith, Jonathan (July 15, 2026). "PROTEST THE HERO – Within (Album Review)". Sonic Perspectives.
- ↑ https://dyinscene.com/archive/protest-the-hero-to-release-upcoming-full-length-on-razor-tie-records/
- ↑ https://idioteq.com/protest-the-hero-on-within-growing-older-without-growing-bitter-and-keeping-the-ship-alive/
- ↑ https://metal.academy/releases/69850
- ↑ https://www.reddit.com/r/protest_the_hero/comments/1v11ecx/withinwithout_double_album_theory_megathread/
- ↑ https://www.theprp.com/2026/06/04/news/protest-the-heros-long-awaited-new-album-within-due-in-july-mouthpiece-music-video-launched/
- ↑ https://newnoisemagazine.com/reviews/album-review-protest-the-hero-within/
- ↑ https://www.kerrang.com/album-review-protest-the-hero-within
- ↑ "Latest NewsINTERVIEW: PROTEST THE HERO Get Aggressively Personal 'Within' New Record". MetalInjection.net. July 17, 2026. Retrieved July 23, 2026.
- ↑ "Official Album Downloads Chart on 24/7/2026 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 25, 2026.
- ↑ "Official Independent Albums Breakers Chart on 24/7/2026 – Top 20". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 25, 2026.
| Albums | |
|---|---|
| EPs |
|
| Live albums | |
| Labels | |
| Songs | |
