for the uninformed:

Quote:

The Protomen is an American rock band best known for composing an original rock opera based on the popular video game, Mega Man. Because of the group's insistence on wearing costumes and using code-names, even when being interviewed[1], The Protomen remain a mysterious entity within the video game music scene. Despite often being classified as a niche, the Protomen have achieved a cult following[2] thanks, in part, to frequent mentions in popular video game web sites as well as a dedicated fan-base.

for the curious:

Quote:

he story told by the Protomen takes place in a dystopian future ruled by Wily. No one would oppose Wily's rule except for Dr. Light, who worked in secret to create a robot who would fight back against Wily's robot soldiers. This robot, Protoman, stood up against the leaders of the robot army, but was destroyed. No one would help Protoman; all they could do was stand by and watch helplessly. Not too long after, Light created Megaman and told him the story of Protoman's fight and death, ending with a warning to his son that he cannot win against Wily's robots and that humanity was doomed. Megaman, however, is reluctant to stand by and watch as humanity is enslaved by Wily, so he takes it upon himself to fight back against the robotic army, now lead by Protoman, who survived his battle with Wily's forces. The two brothers then argue about humanity: Megaman claims that there is hope for humanity, and that they are just not ready to fight. Protoman believes they never will be ready to fight and that they are as good as dead. The masses then call for Protoman's death. There is a sudden flash of light, and Protoman falls. As he dies in Megaman's arms, Protoman tells him that if this story is passed on, they will find that "...a hero is just a man who knows he is free." The masses try to comfort Megaman over the death of his brother, but Megaman, enraged by the people his brother fought and died for, leaves but a few parting words, "You are the dead", then tosses his helmet aside and walks away. Wily then orders for the execution of the people. No one is spared. As Megaman walks away, he doesn't turn back at the cries of the people as they die until he hears them cry out in unison, "We are the dead". While the plot of the album is adapted from the Mega Man games, it takes substantial liberties with the original storyline, functioning as a dystopic reworking of the games' thinly developed 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. 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 Protoman'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 (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 (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.[3] Act II will be the sophomore album by indie rock band The Protomen, and the follow-up to the band's self-titled debut. The album will also revisit the Mega Man-inspired rock opera concept from the band's first album, and will function as a prequel to the first release, focusing on the relationship between Thomas Light and Albert Wily before Wily's takeover of the city that functions as the story's primary setting. Details on the album's plot are still scarce. The staging associated with "Father of Death" at live shows [4], as well as its promotional poster [5], suggest that the character of Emily Stanton is the love interest of both Light and Wily, that Wily murders her using a Sniper Joe robot when she refuses to reject Light, and that Light is subsequently framed for the murder.

for those who wish to listen:
http://www.myspace.com/theprotomen

unrest in teh house of light, hope rides alone, and the sons of fate are my favorite songs so far. you can hear that last one here:

http://www.myspace.com/protomenband

I think most of the posters here can appreciate this.