Antagonist, the latest album from the Chicago-based band Protestant, is a brutal and unrelenting assault on the senses. From the opening track, "Vengeance," to the closing moments of "Reprisal," the band delivers a relentless barrage of crushing riffs, thundering drums, and guttural vocals that leave the listener gasping for air.
The album's production is raw and unpolished, lending an added sense of urgency and intensity to the already ferocious music. Each track is a blistering blast of hardcore punk and metal, infused with elements of crust and d-beat that give the music an abrasive edge.
Lyrically, Antagonist is a scathing critique of modern society and its many injustices. The songs are filled with anger and frustration, calling out the powers that be for their greed, corruption, and callous disregard for human life.
Despite its unrelenting aggression, Antagonist is not without its moments of nuance and subtlety. Tracks like "Influence" and "The Sound and the Fury" showcase the band's ability to shift gears and incorporate more melodic elements into their sound, without sacrificing any of their trademark intensity.