West Coast America seems to be growing in the traditional metal scene, as is the country as a whole. Fortress came to my attention via a debut EP and split single release with Haunt. The band name should not be confused with the other three US bands that I know (there are many more!) and own material by of the same name, I wonder if that is why the Facebook site has the guitarists name (Fili Bibiano) included for clarity.

Riot, Rainbow, Dio, and similar artists feature as major influences, there is a prominent keyboard addition on the album and a classic high range male vocal. The keyboards give the release a slight 70’s feel, a warmth that came from that era. I get the latter Rainbow vibe with the opener ‘Lost Forever’. The quality, the juggernaut, the pure class, a truly magical start to the album. Oh, and I must point out the obscene vocal rage of Chris Scott Nunez. ‘Devil’s Wheel’ is up there with some of the respected Dio monster tracks. The start is captivating, the lead break, in fact, when the vocal starts I’m immediately drawn to ‘License to Kill’ era Malice. ‘Red Light Runner’ gives a Priest and Riot workout, the vocals phrase just like all those classic US metal bands from the glorious past. For all its speed, the lead breaks (I’m thinking Richie Blackmore in places), the emotion, its drawing comparisons to some real classic revered songs that have filled metal heads with joy for decades.

Galloping metal comes at you with ‘Find Yourself’, the formula by now is in your brain the sheer joy I personally feel from this record is amazing, its taking me back to the 80’s and growing up listening and finding out all these great songs. The keyboard solo with the tiddly dial thing is a bit odd, or is it a guitar, I’m convinced it’s both, but I know it’s not! ‘Children of the Night’ is a great tune, I’m not keen on the massive keyboard sound here, but the track really works with it to be fair, I’m taking you back to early Queensryche by comparison here for the record. The closer by the press material is a fitting end to the album, the money shot, in some places it’s a pure Virgin Steele, Riot, even Malmsteen assault. Again augmented by the keyboard, and a super special breakdown for the chorus. There are acoustic passages that leads into another dexterous fretboard shredding solo completing with the art of melody.

I feel amazed by this release, its most of the things I want from a real metal album. Its devoid of gimmick, its diverse, has diverse arrangements and is silky smooth. For me, one of the top albums of the year.

(9/10 Paul Maddison)

https://www.facebook.com/Fortressheavymetal

https://fortressofficial.bandcamp.com/album/dont-spare-the-wicked