The Protest serve up metal-tipped hard rock with a minimum of excess and a maximum of Christian faith on their debut album, Game Changer. The quartet finds success by sticking to intense vocals, aggressive instrumental work, and an overall sense of spiritual urgency. The Protest celebrates the constant struggle between sin and salvation with terse, vivid songs meant to energize the faithful. Tracks like “Reinvention,” “Don’t Waste Time," and “We Will Rise” seethe with conflict without sacrificing melody or ear-snagging hooks. Lead singer Josh Bramlett snarls, gasps, and roars his way through these and similar tunes with a sincerity that suggests an ordinary believer facing down the forces of darkness. Adam Sadler proves a worthy comrade on lead guitar, unleashing volleys of torrid fretwork on such tunes as “Throw the Roses” (a song celebrating victory over death), “Chambers” (a defiant anthem featuring Pillar guitarist Noah Henson), and “Spotlight” (a hard-charging number with Disciple’s Brad Noah on hand to add extra riffage). Producer Travis Wyrick (Pillar, Disciple, P.O.D.) lends the tracks a bold, clear sound, enhancing the impact throughout.