FORTRESS UNDER SIEGE – Atlantis (2020)
On their new album “Atlantis” to be released next month, Greek outfit FORTRESS UNDER SIEGE presents a familiar brand of power metal that has become popular lately: commercial and accessible. You get catchy riffs, competent and effective singing, dueling guitars and a strong focus on melodies with a pinch of Prog.
Formed in 1992, Fortress Under Siege’s story is an Odyssey of its own accord. The band has released a first mini-CD recorded in 1996, later splitting up in 1998, only to reunite in 2010 and finally releasing their full-length debut ‘The Mortal Flesh of Love’ in 2011, and ‘Phoenix Rising’ in 2014.
The recordings for ”Atlantis”, the group’s third and latest outing, were no less challenging, with the band going through 3 different vocalists during the process, culminating on Tasos Lazaris stepping down from his guitar duties to focus on singing as the band’s new front man.
Fortress Under Siege also added rhythm guitarist Themis Gourlis to the formation.
In ”Atlantis”, the band’s style is presented through a catalog of 12 songs with competent production that reveals the six-piece energy. While it does feel like a rather long listen based on the variety on offer, the album definitely has its high moments. With lyrical themes ranging from Hellenic mythology to Conan the Barbarian and Vikings, but also addressing social-sensitive subjects such as bullying and overprotecting mothers, ”Atlantis” shows more versatility on the lyrical side than it does in the compositions.
The opening track, “Love Enforcer,” presents a banger of a riff, building upon it with incredible momentum, and showcasing the band’s ability to create inspired melodies. The title track, “Atlantis” adds spice by throwing in some elements of Progressive Metal, without ever going fully prog, but offering interesting dissonant harmonies and epic orchestration.
While the German 80s/90s metal influence is perhaps the strongest presence throughout the record, also more modern Power / Prog greats come to mind while listening to ”Atlantis”. Fortunately, Fortress Under Siege never gives in to the temptation of simply copying their influences, offering their own spin of the formula.
Other highlights include “Lords of Death” with its multi-layered and unique sounding vocal harmonies, or the joyful “Seventh Son”, featuring one of the best vocal performances on the album by singer Tasos Lazaris.
The ballad “The Road Unknown” offers a much-needed break from the band’s bombastic double bass drum and twin guitars assault, showing a different side of Fortress Under Siege’s songwriting.
Fortress Under Siege’s prior work is more heavy in its delivery. It’s clear that for ”Atlantis”the approach is different: clean, commercial 2YK power metal with catchy choruses and easy to the ears melodies.
While ”Atlantis” shies away from experimentation more than its predecessors, it finds the band succeeding more often at creating music that will please a wider audience.
01. Love Enforcer
02. Lords of Death
03. Atlantis
04. Holding a Breath
05. Silence of Our Words
06. Vengeance
07. Seventh Son
08. Lethe
09. Spartacus
10. Hector’s Last Fight
11. Time For Rage
12. The Road Unknown
Tasos Lazaris – Vocals
Fotis Sotiropoulos – Lead Guitars
Themis Gourlis – Rhythm Guitars
George Georgiou – Keyboards
Alex Stavrakas – Bass
Dimitris Kapoukakis – Drums
Pre Order:
www.amazon.co.uk/Atlantis-Fortress-Under-Siege/dp/B08CM89N17
