The Protomen - The Will of One

[Lunarvx22]

HOPE RIDES... ALOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO­OONE

[Lunarvx22]

Just realized that this song has major similarities to Flash Man's theme, go look it up.

[WinglessRain]

Hope. Rides. AlooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO­OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO-A­AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA­AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH-OOOOOOOOOO­OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNN­NNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

[deepjew]

can someone tab this? few chords i simply can't make out

[xLammy]

Even now there is hope for man.

I live my life every day by these words.

[Archonful]

We Are Con Trol We Keep You Safe We Are Your Hope

[HammerBrute]

the 8-bit sounding synth gets me every time.

[DIGITALHATREDFACE]

MEGA-FUCKING-MAN!!!!

'nuff said

[Ackbano]

Goosebumps every time...

[nibblz82]

this and light up the night are my personal favs. for real tough..... hope... rides alone.....

[Megafan96Owns]

You know how Megaman was made with some of Joe's parts? It reflects in this song. Joe "Lights up The night" by setting fire to Wily's building, killling himself in the process. Also, minor other things like wording, and other things.

God I love the Protomen.

[PowercordTripper2]

@Megafan96Owns But Joe was human, or so I was led to believe.

[Megafan96Owns]

@PowercordTripper2

I thought Joe was Light's first creation

[PowercordTripper2]

@Megafan96Owns

No, that was the G.U.T.S unit described in the notes to Intermission. Joe was just a boy, given power by Light, but not created by him.

[Megafan96Owns]

@PowercordTripper2

Ah. I got confused because of Joe's helmet. It looks like Protomans...

Still though. It's weird that Megaman still kind of reflects Joe.

[TheMagicMan333]

@Megafan96Owns I for one believe that Light eventually altered Joe's helmet and gave it to Protoman when he went to fight. I also believe that both Protoman and Megaman were built somewhat in Joe's image, for a variety of possible reasons.

[moneydude496]

@PowercordTripper2 but the prototypes that hold firearms are the Sniper Joes

[PowercordTripper2]

@moneydude496 That was Wily being a dick. Laugh in Light's face.

[WhiteTriceratops]

You will do no better than the fools of this burning city.

[TheNerdabilly]

I've heard this song...a thousand times

[MattyTheTurner]

HOPE... RIDES... ALOOO-AHHHHHHHHHH-OOOONNNNNNEE­E!!!!!!!!

[SplinterInYourEye]

My claim to fame is that Commander told me at the PAX Q&A this year, that I was a member of the band after a comment I made. He promptly asked me if I had beat Megaman 2, and I had not. So he kicked me out of the band. I'm an ex member of The Protomen! It feels so damn good!

[jumperjacket]

when he got to the "stay here with you" part I had a blood rush. These guys kick ass!

[MiniViper666]

Oh god this music is so addicting 0.0 I just can't stop... its been like 5 months now *explodes*

[wigglyface]

I derped on the name. Comment should say Light instead of Wily. My bad.

I still think it could be Emily's grave. Makes sense in my head.

[TerradudeV2]

@wigglyface Makes more sense for it to be Proto's, I think. You can hear Light's voiceover while Mega's at the grave, which I think is probably the inscription on the grave. "You've heard me tell this story many times before you sleep. No matter how dark this city gets...even now, there's hope for man." I like to think it was Light's parting message to Proto, and the "story" he had told him was Joe's. Proto responded by carving "HOPE RIDES ALONE" into it. Just my theory though.

[wigglyface]

could the grave in this song be Emily's grave?

and the writing be Wily's from his exile?

I think so.

[HalestromPunchkiller]

@wigglyface It's protoman's monument, and wily didn't get exiled, light did. The exile happened before protoman did, as well.

[TechUnadept]

CANNED! ORDERS! OVER! LOUDSPEAKER!

[KazumoShun]

I want them to then go on to tell X and Zero's story. They could go on, and on with this you realize. THIS IS A LEGACY.

[michaeldim1]

@KazumoShun Unfortunately, Commander is not a fan of the X series. Tis a shame, really.

[StateQuoable]

Does he say "You do no better than the fools.." or "You do know better than the fools.."?

I can't figure it out, it's shocking how that makes no difference either way.

[NaipesInk]

@StateQuoable its You do no better than the fools of this BURNING CITY!

[StateQuoable]

Act III BETTER have a good ending, I'm getting depressed from constant books about futuristic dystopias that end on a sad note.

[NaipesInk]

@StateQuoable Well, Act II didnt end on that sad note.. it was just sour. Light decided to do a good to mankind by creating Protoman which isnt that all that sad. Though we have Joe's death...

[ThePaulnessable]

Hope died alone.

[burzum56]

Megaman will become the next dominate religion

[Biomergeactivate]

All of you talking about a happy or sad ending. You know what kind of ending it's going to have?

Well, it's not going to be pretty.

Absolutely, Megaman will win. But all that was sacrificed, all that was lost, it's gone forever.

The world will be safe, but the scars will forever remain.

[TheDoujinshiDude]

I want IT to have a happy ending. Doctor Light, Joe, Megaman, Protoman, Emily...THEY deserve their happy ending, they've certainly gone through enough hell to deserve it, eh American McGee? WHY should it have a sad ending? With Wily winning and the world being doomed to hell?

That would defeat the purpose, of the sufferings of the sons of Light, their mother, their father, and the man who inspired their creation. And it'd be, hate to quote TvTropes, a Shoot the Shaggy Dog story. AKA pointless.

[AminalCrusader]

@TheDoujinshiDude Sorry too burst your bubble but from interviews and the like all weve gotten is that "Act III is in the works, and we doubt its gonna end well for humanity".

But honestly, some people just don't deserver the blessings they recieve, and i'd at least like too see a story where its not just another dime a dozen "AND THEN HUMANITY GREW A HEART AND A PAIR AND FOUGHT FOR ITSELF" story.

[nvshd]

I want Act 3 to break my heart (and everyone else's) so we don't make the same mistakes that the people in this fictional world did.

[lochbaum123]

INCOMING PENIS!!!

[TheClefto]

i've seen this city....a thousands times....THROUGH THE GLASS 20 STORIES HIGH

[PowercordTripper2]

Infinite replays.

[ZaneHitsurugi]

I wonder if Act 3 will be a little happier. Act 1 and 2 made me wanna cry

[Celdrach]

@ZaneHitsurugi I remember once reading that they don't think humanity will have a happy ending in Act 3. Let's hope it does have some manner of happy ending.

[nvshd]

@Celdrach It better not have a happy ending!

[Renma2010]

Whats up with the downgraded player youtube...I'm trying to enjoy something.

[zekeichiwara]

It's a same great bands like this arn't given enough credit! If we had more mainstream music like this music in general would be so much better!

[RealEntertainmentguy]

I laugh at this whole "if you're mainstream you suck" comments,total hipsters

[TheSkunkCat]

@RealEntertainmentguy

Actually I think both Mainstream and Indie music as many thing, fall under Sturgeon's Law (I think that's what it's called.) The one that says 95% of anything is crap.

Still I kinda like these Protomen guys. They're definitly unique, and in a good way I think.

[TheDarkMoogle]

@Christerray

We don't want them going mainstream. We want good music, with love and work put into it, not sellouts.

[TheVinssi]

@TheDarkMoogle

But they deserve more fans and more money. Theyre not gonna keep doing this forever you know.

[MarknessMonster23]

i've noticed their music resembles the style of the von bodies a little

[IAMCOPYROBOTMEGAMAN]

hey megaman, we are your hope....

[Blelbinem]

Anyone notice the similarities to Flash Man's theme?

[ragemishima]

@Blelbinem Yeah I do actually.  ANd for some reason, I hear the Bionic Commando theme when the singer is whispering.

[Fuchs414]

WE HAVE CON-TROL

WE KEEP YOU SAFE

WE ARE YOUR HOPE

love that shit

[smnoy23]

Wait... Who wrote on the gravestone? Maybe there is a hero left in man...

[Zeithri]

@smnoy23 - It was either Dr. Light or -x x x x x-

[DrBreakfastMachine]

I used to think the Mega Man games were pretty dark for the NES area, being about a virtual war machine hunting down forcibly reprogrammed terrorist bots to stop the violent takeover of the planet by an insane freak....and then there's this.

[lochbaum123]

@DrBreakfastMachine Well at least the NES has some redeemable games: Custer's Revenge being one of them...

[UnusualNumber]

@lochbaum123 I think that was Atari actually.

[lochbaum123]

@UnusualNumber haha yeah i realized that after i said it...

[ILikeBlackMage]

The lyrics are pretty Batmanish.

I like it.

[Mario1999X]

"We have control. We keep you safe. We are your hope. We are in control." So good.

[Rastaanparta]

After listening The Protomen, Mega Man games have never been the same for me as they used to be. They're not just singe player action platformers. They are the legend of a robot who stands against many, who rides alone.

[Nuclearmouse]

@Rastaanparta It was always about that. That was always the plot, well of what little there was in the early games.

It was a fairly common plotline at the time to amongst videogames.

Protomen didn't change that, you just didn't notice it until they hyped it up to incredible levels.

[TehConqueror]

this + rainymood

[kyseth87]

4 people are still stuck behind the glass 20 stories high

[Tripp426]

This song is beyond amazing I can't get enough of it.

[ILIKECEREALX]

For giggles, I once tried writing "HOPE RIDES ALONE!" on a board at my school. Then people started questioning my sanity.

[hellozombie5150]

@TheEndKing That's because this entire album is based off of Megaman's story.

Atleast I've heard such.

[3Gyro]

So as it turns out, they're fucking amazing in concert.

[slightlyskitso]

@3Gyro

Were you at PAX East too?

[3Gyro]

@slightlyskitso

Yep. That's exactly what I'm referring to.

I got a poster with the entire band's autographs on it. :D

[slightlyskitso]

@3Gyro

Same here, man. They were great

[PikeWarp]

God, and I thought Mega Man could never become an epic character.

I was wrong.

[XVultimaVX]

>Protomen coming to MTAC this year.

Okay, who wants to let me sleep in their vehicle for this?

[LunasCraincloud]

FUUUUUUUUUCK YEAH I GET TO SEE THEM AT PAX East!!

[Zarcius17]

Just a thought: if Protoman is the blues, and Rockman is rock and roll, then what is Bass? How about Zero? I suppose Wily is jazz, so what did jazz create?

[tetryst]

Ok, let's go through this. Rockman and Roll, that's obvious. Protoman's name (in japan) was Blues. Dr. Light, well, that might not be a musical reference at all. Wily sure isn't. Bass has his dog Treble, and in japan their names were Forte and Gospel. Then there are Eddy, Beat, and Tango, to name a few side characters.

By the time X came out, that pretense was thrown out the window completely. Best I can tell their only influence at that point were symbols: X, 0, Sigma, etc.

[thoraxtimpaler]

This whole X people are stupid cause *insert bad joke referencing song* thing is stupid, can we stop lol?

[phantomatt502]

The 3 Hope Rides Alone's in the middle of the song are the greatest part of the song. Does anyone else try to sing along and feel accomplished if they can hit the high note on the third one?

[Phosis9]

@phantomatt502 I tried but the cat attacked me

[vera881]

@phantomatt502 It's a F#5. Really painful to sing. That's the highest note I can reach with my voice.

[crapadotol]

We are your hope, We keep you safe, We have control

[dantesecondevangel]

Act III will more than likely have either Bass of Zero.

I'm hoping Bass.

[hayesman24]

act 3 will probably begin will dr.light dying and megaman getting very angry and just pwning dr wily

[elephantsjizz]

Sparx hahahahahahaah. If this song was a guy I'd let it touch my nono spot....btw imma man XD

[vera881]

Nice chiptune use

[benjaminnieves11]

and kills all of us>.>

[benjaminnieves11]

i hope Willy does win!!!!:)

[xxxskat34lifexxx]

i like em =D there playing at anime punch cant wait xD

[Himax9]

I have to admit, this rock opera impressed me. (the ending sucked, but hey, its opera; what do you expect, a happy ending?)

One thing I think they did really well here; Protoman was built to fight,and had no other desire or motivation. while Megaman CHOSE to fight, because he wanted to protect his father. And in the end, that is what made all the difference in which one could take down Wily. I think that says something important.

[ElMoss64]

@Himax9

You have to remember it hasn't ended yet. There's still Act III to be released which follows this, and I think with that considered the ending is brilliant as it allows you to theorise what happens afterwards.

[Celdrach]

@ElMoss64 According to wikipedia, The Protomen don't think the finale to Act III will turn out very well for the humans.

But then again, it's wikipedia, any shmuck can log in and post whatever they want.

We'll just hafta wait 'till they actually release Act III.

Any idea when that'll be?

[ElMoss64]

@Celdrach I don't recall seeing any press where the Protomen confirmed anything about Act III. :|

I may be wrong though.

As to when it's coming out I have no idea. They've said that they're working on it but I think they're focusing more on touring at the moment, so it could be a quite a while.

[TheJinxrr]

@Celdrach I tend to think that Wily will win. I mean, by this point... Emily, Joe, Proto... Mega more or less gives up at the end, and Light has to be have lost all heart by now. Either way, though, it's gonna be awesome.

[authressintraining]

My favorite part is 2:50 to the end. Not that the whole song isn't glorious. I just really like the chanting.

[Sableneko]

Do not say "This is how it has to be"...

[MynameisRoxas]

I presonally like The Megas better but The Protomen are cool too.

[TwoBoredWhiteKids]

HOPE RIDES ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLooooooooooooooo­ooOOOOOOOOOOOoooOoOooooooooooo­ooone

[Goatmon]

@TwoBoredWhiteKids I think this line, with Panther's incredible vocals, is the most beautiful rock I have ever rocked out to in my entire 28 years.

[Christerray]

How can we make this band go viral?

How can we get them mainstream?

[RachelAlucard7]

@Christerray We don't want them to go mainstream. That would pretty much require them to change their sound to appeal to the mases. Do you want that?

[Exodiaobliteratebwaa]

@RachelAlucard7

Believe me pal, if this went mainstream it would essentially annihlate modern pop singer's album sales due to the fact that it's excellent and virtually everyone would go with this and once again music has something good. And why the (BLEEP) would they change their sound?! The Rolling Stones, Meat Loaf, The Beatles, Van Halen, and all the classics never changed their sound and because of that their music still kicks ass.

[Celdrach]

@Exodiaobliteratebwaa

I heard one of Meat Loaf's producers helped them with Act II. Dunno if it's true, but it'd be pretty cool if it was.

[DropKickEddy]

@RachelAlucard7

I miss Pendulum

[oars44]

@Christerray what they need to do is is turn their music into a film or stage production

[Kryp7K33p3r]

@oars44 hell yeah i predict instant Tony/Oscar nomination

[Zeithri]

@Christerray - Erhm.. We really do not want them mainstream..

Or do you want to hear how they sing about say.. -shrugs- InsertrandompopsonghereANDTHAT­iswhywedonotwantthemmainstream­.

[Vivalarocknroll]

@Christerray We don't want them mainstream per se, just known and accepted by the mainstream, so they get played more.  :3

[ByronicWriter]

@Christerray

the mainstream are the dead,

we are the light

[randomstuff529]

@Christerray make an awesome megaman game and incorparate this music

[Lucavii]

@Christerray

You don't. If they go mainstream then their music will be consumed by mainstream greed and we won't have this AMAZING work of art every time they make an album

That being said. I love the Protomen so freaking much!

[Zaverexus]

@Lucavii Ditto.

[Friedcabbooge]

@Christerray you cant

[Sasoriemo]

@Christerray Promote the hell out of them , dress like them at Comic Cons . Fuck if The Megas can get a deal with Capcom , allgedly doing some of the Soundtracks for the cancaled Megaman game they were gonna make , The Protomen can . Christ Father Of Death > The Message From Dr. Light

[Liokae]

@Sasoriemo You must have a pretty drugged out source for your "allegedly doing some of the soundtracks", seeing as they just got slapped with a Cease & Desist.

[Sasoriemo]

@Liokae Lights Out Got thrown in for the Promo mate, wether or not Capcom felt the desire to kill off another Megaman Project s'aint the issue here . The fact they got looked at , and hired for a gig , is what really matters . To an extent anyways

[PowercordTripper2]

@Liokae They didn't actually get a C&D. That's just one of those rumors somebody started to get more people to hate Capcom

[openlor2]

@Christerray give them motivation and money

[Slaanash]

@Christerray Headlining PAX 3 years in a row isn't mainstream?

[Maximillian9709]

@Christerray it's simple. You must throw the cheese.

[thecomedymaker]

@Christerray but do you want them viral? that kind of ruins their theme ,because more people willingly listen to shitty music, than these works of art!!

[CriticsConfession]

@thecomedymaker Don't be a hipster.

[thecomedymaker]

@CriticsConfession Hahaha i'm not a Hipster! :P

[PallatontheBeta]

@killerkirbydude we do! but I think if they do they should combine the two albums

[HarkinsX]

Probably the most underrated band in existence.

[Sparx1]

3 people are no better than the fools of this burning city.

[TheOrangeBro]

@Sparx1 make that 4 XD

[CriticsConfession]

hope rides......ALONNNNNNEEEEEEE!!!­!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[yewiyewiya3]

I thought I was the only one who thought up an idea for a musical.

Even the lyric book has basically hints to make a musical. Or movie.

[killerkirbydude]

I never cared about justice, and I don't recall ever calling myself a hero. I have always only fought for the people I believe in. I won't hesitate... If an enemy appears in front of me, I will destroy it!

Zero

[Wyatt11Walton11]

I have this entire album in playlist form on my channel, along with act: II, so feel free to scope it out. -Wyatt

[PatternistSlave]

Movie is what needs to be done. Think The Wall but with Megaman.

[killerkirbydude]

@PatternistSlave

NO. Unthink that. We need a fking musical.

[Rinulus11]

I just love how many people comment on these video's wanting to see a musical or a video game, even a movie or music video. Im fanatic about what this band has done and I hope it inspires more people to make music focused on the epic stories of many of my favorite other video games.

[AnonCount]

HOPE RIDES ALONE

[alakazam9891]

I like megaman a lot but I really don't get the appeal of this

[magicpizzaman]

@alakazam9891

Different strokes for different folks, maybe someday you'll learn that.

[alakazam9891]

@magicpizzaman yeah I get that I'm just saying

[YF23BWII]

Hope rides... ALOOOOOOOOOOOOO-OOOOOOOOOO-OOO­OOOOOOONE

[theskabat717]

HOPE RIDES ALONE!

[DjOnition]

@theskabat717 HOPE RIDES ALONE! 

[theskabat717]

@DjOnition HOPE RIDES ALONE!

[Infamous5230]

If a movie based of this album never happens. I will seriously do whatever i can too make sure it happens . Cuz these guys need to known. Cuz this rap\hip hop shit has dominated the music industry to long. ITS TIME FOR THE REIGN OF THE PROTOMEN!!!!

[TheProNoobGuy]

Uh... no thank you. -Infensive ARITI

[cohcamluvr]

genius. 

[vinnyconundrum]

The one person who disliked deserves a crash bomb to the face

[drhikarisan]

@vinnyconundrum and a guts punch to the kidney

[TempestDacine]

@drhikarisan And a GENESIC EMERALD TAGER BUSTER!

[RaWrZ1901]

<3 This Song Nd His Voice

[kindthrone]

One year later after this became my favorite song in the world and it remains fucking awesome.

There's so much emotion in Act I, Good God.

[thealmightymetallist]

this song makes me want to do a huge workout routine and become a masked crime fighter

[philosopherted]

I'll be there for an Edmonton Alberta show! I'll tell all my friends and make them come out too! EDMONTON PLEASE!

[ModelHX]

This. Is. AMAZING.

[adam3088]

Are they working on an act 3-4? Not seen any info on it, but would gladly buy one without a second thought if a third was made.

[SamEighteen]

@lot3kness Its supposed to be immediately after Act I. Doesn't come out till at least late 2011 though.

[lot3kness]

@SamEighteen You are correct, thanks for correcting the post as I had forgot about it and not deleted it. After talking to kilroy about it, I gotta say I'm pretty pumped for it.

[AliveStorm93]

@adam3088 Act III is in the works. It's confirmed to take place after Act I, and if the ending of Act II is any indication, it'll be a return to the chiptune rocking style of Act I.

[TheEndKing]

This is like Alan Moore's Megaman.

[litlmutt]

@TheEndKing Best comment EVER.

[TheEndKing]

@litlmutt: Thanks.