THE PROTOMEN - HOLD BACK THE NIGHT 

Waiting for Act III, 2019 update: Starting to have doubts that a hero will come

2016, I remember....

The hero who rose to save the people failed. The second hero tried to prove the people could be saved, and it was all he could do to make them *want* to be saved. The third hero must be a new kind: a kind of hero who teaches the people to save themselves.

I love Gambler's voice. I don't get when people say she's out of her range on this one - she sounds awesome to me! Then again, I'm not a musical person, but even so, if she's out of her range, if she's screaming her lines, it serves to show just how dire their situation is and how passionately her character believes in the need to save her home.

It’s not that we don’t deserve a hero. It’s the very fact that we *believe* that we need one that’s holding us back from freedom. We are made to believe that we won’t be strong enough. That a single person can save us. We are poisoned with that belief so we stay silent. In reality, we can *all* be heroes. Together, we can start that fire to light the endless night.

I'm not sure how much longer we can hold it back.

Protoman was right. The fact that we wait on heroes is why we deserve none.

imagine dr light and the girl just yelling these lyrics at eachother, seeing who's louder. "AND I KNOW A HERO WILL CO-" "ALL OF YOUR HEROES ARE GOOOOOOONE!"

Oh god it's like the first time hearing REAL music all over again. This made me stand up and go "YES! YES! MORE!" Move over, other music. You've been replaced.

Prediction - best way for this story to end at this point is a large-scale cultural shift in the city. Heroes like Mega Man matter not for what they do, but for how they can inspire the common people, and revive spirit of those who are the dead. It's not the Proto Man that matters, it's the Protomen. After all, a hero is just a man who knows he is free.

I'm overjoyed that music like this is still being made.

"No one.. Will come... This city is dead!" Of course it is. "This city, she's been dead... For years now..."

Listening to this song in 2020 really hits differently

Seen some comments questioning whether this is out of the vocalist’s range. As a singer, I can say; She’s RIGHT at the edge of her voice’s range. Not struggling, but at her limit. And then she pushes it even further with the “keeps me alive” phrase. That’s why this is such a powerful performance, that urgency of being on the edge. She is probably what we would call a Mezzo-Soprano, maybe even an Alto, so not the highest pitch type of female voice. But that’s why her voice is more meaty, more full and holding that heavy, strong tone which gives her belting such a great quality and honestly it makes the song.

That final choir brings me to tears every time. Their voices fit so nice, it's beyond beautiful.

The second half of this song is the single most epic thing I have ever heard.

"I know a hero will come." I hope so. I really do.

apparently this is rock opera. that voice though: beastly

" *All a fire needs is a single spark!* "

Can't wait to hear the whole album when it releases in 2032.

Anyone else kind of worry that this is the last song in Act 3 and they plan to leave us on a cliff hanger? I have legit lost sleep over this.

2022 has arrived and only embers of hope remain. Will a hero truly come?

Wow, first time I heard this I thought it was a song that just flew under the radar in the 80s or something. Very classy sound.

It's so great hearing the studio version of this!

Found The Protomen through TWRP's Phantom Racer, and my life will never be the same

2022 checking in. The great algorithm recommended this song to me today. Absolutely amazing!

i know the lyrics are "I know we won't fight alone" but i can't stop hearing it as "I know hope rides alone"

we need more gambler. asap. i love this.

I’ve held back the night well enough to have made it through the darkness of 2020. Now it’s 2021, and though we’ve done well enough for many of us to make it to this point alive, still we ask: will a hero ever come?

It's like I've rediscovered music again. Been a fan for 20 years, please don't stop making music.

Whats up with the hate for Gambler? She's awesome.

The animation in this video is making me love these two songs even more...

Holy damn, has it already been almost exactly four years? I didn't even know, just clicked on this a second ago for today's listen

As someone commented years ago:This song is pure logos

Man, it's been a while since I heard a new song and got so amped up just listening to it. Now *this* is an example of why I love The Protomen, and why I'm damn glad they're still going strong.

I feel like an idiot for taking so long to notice that the towers forum the roman numeral for 3.

Chart Pop fans: Who's listening to this in 2020? Protomen fans: Those who defer, to tyrants and saviors, the responsibility to muster the courage needed to assert their inherent, natural right to liberty never truly live and deserve to be oppressed by their rulers and abandoned by their heroes.

Dude, when they played this in Irving, the Gambler held out her hand for me to come up to the stage!!! I Shit you not, I fistpumped the hell outta this song and stage dived right at the end. Thank you Gambler.

When I was young, couldn't stand to believe it Somewhere there was a sun left to shine Now my heart won't be still till I've seen it Won't be still till I've made it mine There's a fear, can't be seen, it surrounds me As afraid of the dark as the light Was a time, long ago, these were safe streets Now I'm the only one that keeps me alive Keep me alive! But I know a hero will come There's a face that I've seen in the windows There's a face of a stronger man When I turn, as a leaf when the wind blows Gone away is the will in his hand You've been fed what they wanted to feed you You've been bled of the will to survive Now you stand just as long as they need you But you're the only one that keeps you alive Keep you alive But I know a hero will come And the night, the night will be torn apart And I know we won't fight alone And the spark that we carry will turn the dark into A flame, a fire, a light There must be an end to the darkness No one will come. This City is dead But all of your heroes are gone And the blood that they spilled is on my hands A darkness will block out the sun Not a thing can be done with so few men That a hero couldn't do! When the voice from the shadows calls you When the wind whips past your ears Will you stand when the weight is upon you Or will you go to your knees in fear? There's a chance, though I know it's a long shot And the City is out of time All for naught if your heart stops beating 'Cause you're the only one that keeps it alive God, keep it alive! But I know a hero will come And all of your heroes are gone Someone's got to No one left to Bring back the light Bring back the light And I know we won't fight alone A darkness will block out the sun if we can't Find a way to hold back the night Find a way to hold back the night We can hold out past the endless dark All a fire needs is a single spark

Still patiently waiting for that hero to come...

Absolutely love the themes touched on in this song, and it was absolutely amazing hearing this live in the pouring rain on the 19th. Holy shit 10/10 want moar.

Killing it with the vocals on this one. Love it

Just discovered this band. What the epic fuck?! Love this

Acts I and II are good but this is my favorite Protomen song because it’s the only song that can always give me strength, no matter the size of the enemy

2021, and no signal from our hero, i think he's got stuck somewere.

DAMN! THAT VOICE WOMAN! You make my soul fly!

2024 The Hero's Journey is nearly complete.

It's almost been a decade. Anyone ever think this album is coming out

Yea, you’re never alone

a transformers comic dub introduced me to the protomen, and I am so grateful for it. I didn't know that this existed, but I love it all the same.

This is the most epic god damn song ever made....good god man. Can't listen to it without ending up in a Rambo prepping montage.

I prefer the live version I think. "And the blood that they spilled is on my hands" sounds a lot more epic in that version.

Its Act III the equivalent for Half Life 3?

The breakdown bit with the Pink Floyd Momentary Lapse of Reason synth sound was really well done. The vocals are amazing. I love the guitar harmonies and chorus, too.

2021...we getting a hero, or no?

They performed this live in London, her voice is amazing.

The Guardian of the Rune sent me.

Listing to this in quarantine, hopefully this CoVid-19 pandemic will end soon

her vocals are amazinggg

Everyone saying negative things about The Gambler: Fight me. I will punch you. /in the nose/.

Masterpiece. Actual 80's.

I legit have tears in my eyes listening to this

Loving the vocals the Gambler is giving us. Almost reminds me of Ann or Nancy from Heart. That could just be me hearing it though.

2022 still no act III looks like we dont deserve the hero lmao

Sitting in 2022 with borders full of soldiers and a pandemic, we could really use a hero guys.

This is really fucking powerful.

This song is so good if Act III was never released and we just had this, I'd still be happy.

Vocals send shivers everytime

Can't believe I've been sleeping on this song. This is fantastic!

2021 here... still waiting for Act 3.

So many people here think Protoman was completely right even though Joe proved him wrong. Expecting everyone to rise up and meet the qualities of a hero is foolish but while not everyone is cut out to be a hero, they can be support. People wait on for a hero to come, so they can lead the way and provide the hero with their support. Only then will the light of justice shine.

This band is getting increasingly more 80s and *I love it.*

my god this song bops

i love it so much. can't wait for the album!

Absolutely love it. Can't wait for Act III.

this song reminds me so much of Meatloaf. I love it.

This sounds kinda like they're covering the Rime of the Ancient Mariner...which is a good thing...

A darkness will block out the son.

2021 and A Hero still hasnt came lol

This is officially the next Tool album. Definitely, totally, most definitely being made, and certainly coming out at the end of the year every year.

WOW. That was absolutely amazing!! Super impressed.

Who is here for 2024?

I can't wait for Act III any longer, plleeeaaaaase Protomen :'(

Stunning vocals! Glad I have found this. It's stunning to hear. Wow!

Fucking sent shivers down my spine.

I've been waiting so long for this! Oh my god the goosebumps!

You guys never cease to amaze me. Excellent song!!!!

"This city made us hold back the night"

we've done it america. the night was held back

Sounds like the 80s.

Really love the vocals on this one.

To those who think that this song is about Trump, I have something to say: N- no. This song was originally unveiled to the public on August 31, 2012. Trump didn't announce his campaign until June of 2015. There is simply no way on Earth that the song was originally conceived as a Trump anthem of any sort in any sense. And honestly, as a lover of The Protomen, I hate to see their music being politicized without their knowledge. It does a disservice to the band and its audience.

How AWESOME would it be if Wily got another song in act 3?!

Great music to be playing while working on sci-fi art! Thanks!

almost 5 years now :(

Oh look a Protomen song I haven't heard before *scrolls down to comments and sees everyone arguing about politics*. Well alright then that's enough of that.

"...BUT ALL OF YOUR HEROES ARE GONE!!! .... " see ya at PAX!!!

if the Protomen was ever turned into a movie, I could see Anthony Head playing Dr.Light. Anyone else see that?

Am I the only one here who came here because I'm hyped for Act 3 of the Protomen's story? Like, damn. This is a song based off of a darker version of Mega Man. A video game. And people have gone and made political statements with it. Nothing is sacred anymore.

I prefer the murdoch video. One of the most inspiring I've seen.