Year: 2021
Total Time: 102:45
Label: Massacre Records
In 1997, guitarists Torsten Wolf and Volker Trost joined along with bassist Pablo J. Tammen to form a band called Timezone. Shortly after recording their first 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. This new lineup called themselves Human Fortress. After many changes, both in the line-up of the band and in the record companies (Limb Records, Massacre Records, AFM Records), they have already released 5 complete albums with the latest being “Reign In Gold” in 2019.
In less than a month and specifically on January 22, HUMAN FORTRESS will release a collection entitled “Epic Tales & Untold Stories”. This is a double cd, which will contain new, rare but also old unreleased songs (on the first cd), while on the second we will find a selection of favorite songs of the band.
Regarding the new release of HUMAN FORTRESS, it is impossible not to notice the long duration (over 1.5 hours). It starts with an interesting composition, “The Grimoire” with beautiful melodies on keyboards and guitars. Unfortunately the sequel is not of equivalent level and the first cd passes with alternations between loose ballad tracks (“Dissapear In Dark Shadows”, “Free”, “Pray for Salvation”) and some faster and louder ones (“Vain Endeavor”, “Fernweh »,« We Are Legion »,« Cruel Fantasy »). These ups and downs in tempo are a bit tedious, as they do not allow the listener to get into a pure Power Metal mood. Personally, I think that even if the first cd was missing, it would not bother me at all.
Things change on the second cd. There we will now meet louder and faster songs, that justify at some point the Epic/Power Metal style of the band. It starts with “Lord Of Earth And Heavens Heir”, a clearly faster track, which of course if it was of shorter duration , it could comfortably stand in a Eurovision song contest (…). Then we will listen to two slightly faster / louder songs, “The Dragons Lair” and “Defenders Of The Crown”, followed by “Border Raid In Lions March” which is really a very strong moment of the CD. Folk melody in combination with a strong galloping sound, as the title promises. We continue with “Gladiator Pt.1 and Pt2.” and finally a ray of hope becomes apparent on the horizon. Loud and speedy songs that fully justify their title. Finally some real Power Metal! In the following songs (“Wasted years”, “The Chosen One”, “Thieves Of The Night”, “Rise Or Fall”) we meet classic Power Metal, not something special. “Dark Knight” is a very strong moment, perhaps the strongest moment of this release. Fast tempo on the drums, fast guitars… It just stands out!! “Thrice Blessed”, “Lucifer’s Waltz” and “Surrender” follow with loud sound in mid-tempo rhythm. The second cd closes with “Thunder”, another strong and fast song, so as to leave us with a taste of classic power at the end.
The production by Tommy 7 Newton and Seeb Levermann at Area 51 Recording Studios and Greenman Studios respectively is very good with precise and clear sound. For the fans of the genre and the band, this collection will be an interesting release, but for newcomers to the scene, there are definitely more representative bands. Familiar sounds, on the paths of HELLOWEEN, STRATOVARIUS and HAMMERFALL….
Rating: N/A
Editor: Tasos Varelas
Related Link: HUMAN FORTRESS – Official Page
