What makes Palimpsest by Protest the Hero notable?

Palimpsest received critical acclaim for its ambitious structure and thematic depth, debuting at number 24 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album was noted for its exploration of social issues and personal narratives, contributing to discussions within the progressive metal scene and earning accolades from multiple music publications. Released on June 18, 2020, Palimpsest is Protest the Hero's fifth studio album, following their 2018 EP, Pacific Myth. This record marks a significant return after a five-year hiatus, showcasing the band’s evolution in songwriting and musicianship while maintaining their signature complexity.

Who is Palimpsest for?

Palimpsest works well if you're into dynamic emotional journeys, gradual builds and payoffs and immersive storytelling experience.

How many songs are on Palimpsest?

Palimpsest has 13 tracks, running approximately 52 minutes.

Palimpsest

Protest the Hero · 2020

52 min · 13 tracks · progressive metal

Progressive metalcore intricately weaves complex rhythms and soaring melodies, reflecting on themes of identity and memory.

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Top tracks — play these first

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The Migrant Mother — Opening with haunting melodies and intricate instrumentation, this track encapsulates the album's themes of displacement and perseverance, setting a powerful tone.
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All Hands — This track showcases the band's ability to blend aggressive riffs with melodic passages, effectively representing their progressive metalcore sound while tackling themes of societal responsibility.
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Little Snakes — With its dynamic shifts and emotional delivery, this song captures the internal struggles of identity and self-perception, making it a poignant highlight of the album.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

60 /100

Treeline

Higher than 66% of albums we've rated

The album showcases intricate compositions and varied vocal styles, but its cohesion suffers slightly from its ambitious structure.

What we noticed

Vocals alternate between clean singing and aggressive screams, often layered to create a dense vocal texture across tracks.
Several tracks incorporate interludes or transitions that shift the mood dramatically, such as the calm piano in 'Soliloquy' followed by intense instrumentation.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

dynamic emotional journeys
gradual builds and payoffs
immersive storytelling experience
wave-like pacing dynamics

Where this album fits

Career context: Released on June 18, 2020, Palimpsest is Protest the Hero's fifth studio album, following their 2018 EP, Pacific Myth. This record marks a significant return after a five-year hiatus, showcasing the band’s evolution in songwriting and musicianship while maintaining their signature complexity.
Stylistic neighbors: Between the Buried and Me· The Contortionist· August Burns Red

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Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

All Hands

The verses shift from collective blame to personal accountability, revealing a deeper introspection about one's role in societal issues.

This progression in perspective amplifies the urgency of the message, moving from a broad critique to intimate reflection on individual impact.