Year : 2013
Style : Melodic Power Metal
Country : Germany
Audio : 320 kbps + all scans + Video
Size : 230 mb
Bio:
Human Fortress is a power metal band that strives for an epic feel with their music, calling their music "epic battle metal". The band is from Hanover, Germany.In 1997, guitarists Torsten Wolf and Volker Trost joined with bassist Pablo J. Tammen to form a band called Timezone. Shortly after recording a demo, however, the band split up. Soon thereafter, the lineup was rounded out with singer Jioti Parcharidis, drummer Apostolos "Laki" Zaios, and keyboardist Dirk Marquardt, and called themselves Human Fortress.After recording a demo in 1999, the band got to work on their debut album, which was completed in the summer of 2000. They entered a talent contest sponsored by a popular German metal magazine. Their song "The Dragons Lair" was released on a compilation CD for the contest, and was subsequently voted "Favorite Track" by online fans. Due to this recognition the band reached a deal with Limb Records, and released their debut album Lord of Earth and Heavens Heir.2003 saw the release of the band's second album Defenders of the Crown, this time on Massacre Records. The recording process included guest performances by members of the bands Galloglass, King Leoric, and Meridian Zero. After this album, guitarist Volker Trost left the band and was replaced by Frank Sawade.In 2007, the face of Human Fortress changed once again, as singer Jioti Parcharidis and drummer Apostolos "Laki" Zaios left the band. They were replaced by Carsten Frank and Arndt Krone, respectively. Human Fortress released their third CD, Eternal Empire, on April 25, 2008.Arndt Krone and Torsten Wolf left the band in the same year, the first being replaced by drummer Vincent Gongala.In 2009 the band announced that Frank Sawade, Pablo J. Tammen, Dirk Marquardt and Vincent Gongala would form a new band called Ember Sea with singer Eva Skamira, continuing the new style adopted for the third album, and that the former band members Jioti Parcharidis, Torsten Wolf, Volker Trost and Apostolos "Laki" Zaios, reinforced by newcomers Ingmar von Berg and Dirk Liehm, would continue as Human Fortress in the style of the first two albums.[3] However, singer Jioti Parcharidis left again due to health problems in the beginning of 2010. The band is currently searching for a new singer.In July 2013, following a 5 year hiatus, Human Fortress signed with German Rock and Metal label AFM Records. According to Gus Monsanto, new singer, the band have completed recordings for their upcoming album, which will be released late in 2013.
Album:
After the train wreck that was Eternal Empire, everything was up in the air for Human Fortress. Key member Torsten Wolf tried to keep the show running, and Jioti Parcharidis would even return for a short stint, only to depart for medical reasons and leave Human Fortress again hanging in the balance. Fortunately Torsten along with former members Volker Trost and Apostolos Zaios would enlist the help of new members, including vocalist Gus Monsanto of Revolution Renaissance and Adagio fame, to record their long awaited fourth album – a promised return to the sound of old.Raided Land sees Human Fortress straddling the lines between their past and present, although admittedly lacking some of the charm that albums like Defenders Of The Crown dished out. This notion is for the most part displayed to a good effect, although in places I can't help feel awash with disappointment. No more is this evident than in "Gladiator Of Rome (Part 2)" which feels cheap and unnecessary, almost like they had to prove they were honoring their past. It isn't a bad a song by any stretch, and I can see what they were going for in re-establishing some of the riffing style as well as aiming to give something back to the fans, but I feel it comes off too blatant, and again unnecessary – as with most sequels arriving years after the original product. I hate to go off on such a tangent, but it's a real niggle.The music across the board is for the most part is solid with the musicianship firmly in touch with the straight-up power metal Human Fortress cut their teeth on, with solid layering and development which I guess isn't too far off mid-period Kamelot in utilization. The guitars are certainly a highlight, and I think they offer a little more than would appear on the surface. With some ace nuance throughout, and inspiring melodic lead lines. I do feel the material could do with really picking up and taking off in places, as the approach for the most part is decidedly middling throughout, and at thirteen tracks it can become a little much to trudge through. Fortunately Gus Monsanto's vocals carry the songs well, and with a bit of luck he'll find some security with Human Fortress. The man boasts a quality set of pipes with good range, and an approach that lends from both the pristine and husky schools of melodic singing.Of course Raided Land isn't without flaws, and as I mentioned earlier there is an air of disappointment housed in some of the songs, particularly "Under Siege" which despite being one of the more up-tempo numbers and featuring some cool riffs doesn't really go anywhere. "Pray For Salvation" comes off as a relatively dull ballad, bare around the bones and lacking in excitement, and obviously there's the issue I have with "Gladiator Of Rome (Part 2)". Some of the issues I have in these songs can be chalked down to personal expectation, as I do particularly enjoy the aforementioned Defenders Of The Crown; and in saying that, their first two albums admittedly did take a little longer than expected to click, so who knows how this might hold up to future listens.For now, I'll say that the first half of the album is certainly strongest with good material like "Child Of War" and "The Chosen One", although the closer "Guard The Blind" is rather nifty, and worth sticking around for. It's good to have Human Fortress back and playing good music again, and Raided Land is definitely a sound platform to further build their career. Fans of Kamelot, Civilization One and Masterplan will likely find a solid dose of enjoyment here, and if you loved the early Human Fortress albums I'd say it's worth giving this a shot. Whilst not as majestic as I might have hoped, there's enough on offer to bring me back in for the odd listen, and sees the band in a good position for the future.
Line Up:
Gus Monsanto - Vocals (2013-present) - See also: Burnt City, Eden Myrrh, Krysaor, Skyeart, ex-Astra, ex-Code of Silence, ex-Revolution Renaissance, ex-Seliger, ex-Symbolica, ex-Jade Lizard, ex-Lord of Mushrooms, Marmor, The Yell, ex-Aria Inferno, ex-Omega Blast, ex-Overdose, ex-Adagio, ex-Lightseekers, ex-Takara
Torsten "Todd" Wolf - Guitars (1999-2008, 2009-present)
Volker Trost - Guitars (1999-2003, 2009-present)
André Hort - Bass (2013-present) - See also: ex-Rough Silk
Apostolos Zaios - Drums (2000-2007, 2009-present) - See also: ex-Medieval Death, ex-Aeons of Hate, ex-In Case of Fyr, ex-Chateau
Dirk Liehm - Keyboards, Orchestration
Tracklist:
01. Raided Land 03:59
02. Child of War 03:45
03. Wasted Years 04:48
04. The Chosen One 03:52
05. Shelter 03:56
06. The Gladiator of Rome (Pt. II) 04:27
07. Dark Knight 05:02
08. Prelude 01:39 instrumental
09. Pray for Salvation 03:53
10. Evil Curse 05:22
11. Restless Souls 05:07
12. Under Siege 04:18
13. Guard the Blind 04:39
+ Video "Wasted Years" (Official Video)
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