Raided Land is the latest release from German based epic power metal band Human Fortress, and epic is the perfect word to describe it. After a five year hiatus following their previous release, the band is back and sounds better than ever. The album is rich and layered, with a unique mix of traditional power metal and medieval traditional music.
The album has so many great strengths, and the vocals of newcomer Gus Monsanto truly compliment the tracks so well. Monsanto has vocals that could be compared to that of Bruce Dickinson from Iron Maiden, and adds to the epic nature of the music on Raided Land. The album is well structured and is deeply melodic in nature, often leading into big powerful hooks that tie the songs together. The tracks don't rely solely on Monsanto’s vocal style, but the instrumentation adds the foundation and power of each song, usually containing a shredding solo like that heard on “Shelter” and “Pray for Salvation”. The drums are a standout point as well; drummer Apostolos “Laki” Zaios manages to continuously drive the sound with his energetic and hard hitting performance which really adds to the powerful feeling of the album.
Human Fortress manage to make the power metal genre even more exciting than it already is, while bringing their own fresh take to it and managing to separate themselves from other bands of a similar style. It's not often bands come back from hiatus and manage to release a strong record from the get go, but Human Fortress does so in strides. Raided Land is an epic entry into the Human Fortress discography and fans of the power metal genre and Human Fortress will easily find something to love in the latest release from AFM records.
Dave Edwards, HMS
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