The Protomen (album)
Encyclopedia
The Protomen is the debut album release by indie rock
band The Protomen
. It is a rock opera
loosely based on the Mega Man video game series, and the first volume of a planned series of albums on this theme. The follow-up, Act II: The Father Of Death, was released on September 8, 2009.
reworking of the games' narrative.
The album begins with a description of a dystopia ruled by Doctor Wily
and his army of robots (Hope Rides Alone). Doctor Light apparently works for Wily's government, but by night he builds a robot to lead a rebellion against Wily -- Proto Man. After twelve years, when Proto Man is finished, he is sent to fight Wily's forces and liberate mankind—however, after defeating many of Wily's robots Proto Man is weakened, and the robot army launches a final assault. The human masses, too frightened of Wily to assist Proto Man, allow him to die.
Years later, Light has built a new robot, Mega Man
, whom he treats as his son (Funeral for a Son). To dissuade Mega Man from attempting to rebel against Wily, Light tells Mega Man Proto Man's story, and explains that the people have "chosen their own end" -- they will not fight to save themselves (Unrest in The House of Light). Mega Man angrily defies Light (The Will of One) and sets out to defeat Wily on his own, seeking to avenge his brother's death and to "finish what was started, the fight of Proto Man" (Vengeance). After crushing many of Wily's robots, however, Mega Man discovers that Proto Man never died—he now defends Wily, who has repaired him. Proto Man declares that mankind does not deserve to be saved if they will not stand for themselves (The Stand), and Mega Man is forced to fight him to get to Wily (Sons of Fate). Encouraged by human onlookers, Mega Man kills his brother, but refuses to attack Wily—instead, enraged and horrified by the fight, Mega Man abandons the humans as Wily orders his robots to murder the crowd.
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
band The Protomen
The Protomen
The Protomen is an American rock band best known for composing original concept albums loosely based on the popular video game series Mega Man...
. It is a rock opera
Rock opera
A rock opera is a work of rock music that presents a storyline told over multiple parts, songs or sections in the manner of opera. A rock opera differs from a conventional rock album, which usually includes songs that are not unified by a common theme or narrative. More recent developments include...
loosely based on the Mega Man video game series, and the first volume of a planned series of albums on this theme. The follow-up, Act II: The Father Of Death, was released on September 8, 2009.
Critical and press reception
While the album has yet to be reviewed by major music publications, it has received favorable press from 1UP and The Escapist (in the form of an interview with the band).Plot summary
While the plot of the album is adapted from the Mega Man games, it takes substantial liberties with the original storyline, functioning as a dystopicDystopia
A dystopia is the idea of a society in a repressive and controlled state, often under the guise of being utopian, as characterized in books like Brave New World and Nineteen Eighty-Four...
reworking of the games' narrative.
The album begins with a description of a dystopia ruled by Doctor Wily
Doctor Wily
, full name Albert W. Wily, is a fictional character and the main antagonist of the original Mega Man series of video games. Designed by Keiji Inafune, he appeared in the first Mega Man video game and later in promotions and other media related to the series...
and his army of robots (Hope Rides Alone). Doctor Light apparently works for Wily's government, but by night he builds a robot to lead a rebellion against Wily -- Proto Man. After twelve years, when Proto Man is finished, he is sent to fight Wily's forces and liberate mankind—however, after defeating many of Wily's robots Proto Man is weakened, and the robot army launches a final assault. The human masses, too frightened of Wily to assist Proto Man, allow him to die.
Years later, Light has built a new robot, Mega Man
Mega Man
Mega Man is a video game franchise from Capcom, starring the eponymous character Mega Man, or one of his many counterparts. The series is well-known and comprises well over fifty releases, easily making it Capcom's most prolific franchise. As of December 31, 2010, the series has sold approximately...
, whom he treats as his son (Funeral for a Son). To dissuade Mega Man from attempting to rebel against Wily, Light tells Mega Man Proto Man's story, and explains that the people have "chosen their own end" -- they will not fight to save themselves (Unrest in The House of Light). Mega Man angrily defies Light (The Will of One) and sets out to defeat Wily on his own, seeking to avenge his brother's death and to "finish what was started, the fight of Proto Man" (Vengeance). After crushing many of Wily's robots, however, Mega Man discovers that Proto Man never died—he now defends Wily, who has repaired him. Proto Man declares that mankind does not deserve to be saved if they will not stand for themselves (The Stand), and Mega Man is forced to fight him to get to Wily (Sons of Fate). Encouraged by human onlookers, Mega Man kills his brother, but refuses to attack Wily—instead, enraged and horrified by the fight, Mega Man abandons the humans as Wily orders his robots to murder the crowd.
Track listing
- I: Hope Rides Alone 5:08
- IIa: Funeral For a Son 2:37
- IIb: Unrest in the House of Light 3:31
- III: The Will of One 4:09
- IV: Vengeance 3:16
- V: The Stand (Man or Machine) 5:57
- VI: Sons of Fate 8:12
- EPILOGUE: Due Vendetta 4:03