Fortress

Protest The Hero | Format: MP3 Download

Product Details

• Original Release Date: February 11, 2008
• Label: Vagrant Records
• Total Length: 41:10
• Genres: Hard Rock & Metal/Alternative Metal
• ASIN: B0012KLIRG
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Protest The Hero returns with a blistering new album, February 24, 2008

By 

Anthony M. Rock - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fortress (Audio CD)

Protest The Hero came into the light a few years ago with their sophomore album, "Kezia", to much fanfare and much polarizing of several fanbases. The boys from Canada had matured much from their debut album "A Calculated Use of Sound", juxtaposing slithering leads, blazing double-tap sections, crushing riffs, and catchy hooks all together to form their own version of the now ubiquitous mathcore style, but with enough signature style to stand out, for better or for worse.

Two years after "Kezia" made its splash (Three counting the original Canadian release), PTH has returned with "Fortress", in the hopes of recapturing some of that intial glory. For the most part, these five extremely talented musicians (The average age of the band is under 21 years old) have yet again carved out a sonic masterpiece. If you liked "Kezia", you will love "Fortress".

From the get-go, PTH is ready to show they aren't simply a one-trick pony: The blistering leads are there, enforced, and even more complex than before. Their presence isn't as saturated as it was in previous albums, but they are used to greater effect. The chugging riffs have even disappated somewhat, and in the place of these PTH has brought out the big chords: Massive-sounding, epic, legato chords that give the songs on "Fortress" a much more epic feel than any of the previous albums. The bass has taken a much higher priority in the mix this time as well, and that is extremely fortunate: The bass lines slide and wiggle inbetween the guitars and drums, rarely mimicing the two young virtuosos as it creates another layer to the overall sonic blast.

The sticking point is the same as it was before: The falsetto wails of Rody Walker, while much more controlled and somewhat more spaced out, are still present. If you couldn't get past him before, don't bother this time.

As PTH has progressed musically, their comparisons have as well: The fact that Rush and Queen comparisons are now surfacing as opposed to Dillinger Escape Plan and Thursday are a testament to this band shedding their inexperience and finding their own sound.

The progressive world is better for this album. Highly recommended.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's hard to believe how good it is...., February 13, 2008

By 

Bill Allison "Bill Allison" (Southwest Missouri, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fortress (Audio CD)

While it may be early in the year, after listening to "Fortress" nonstop for the last two weeks, I think I can safely say that this will end up in my top three for the year. It's not very often that an album comes along, that is so good that it shatters all preconceptions that you had about a particular genre and creates its own.This becomes clear in the first 60 seconds of "Bloodmeat". Everything that is thrown into the blender really would look like a mess on paper, but it all comes through so clear and perfect. Think of the Mars Volta with Coheed and Cambria, rocking out with Iron Maiden and Dream Theater, all conducted by Frank Zappa with his trademark sense of humor surfacing here and there. There's also a strong pop sensibility that runs throughout the whole album that lets you know these guys haven't forgotten that this is indeed a rock album. It may be proggy and dense, but never to the point where it is completely impenetrable. Vocals range from clean, nasal, screaming and grunting. Very diverse, but every style is right for the part. And the guitars...my god, the guitars.

While describing an album that you're really excited about, it's hard not to throw around adjectives like "amazing" and "mind-blowing", and "stunning", but after one listen, I think you'll agree with me. The musicianship is top-notch, to say the least. The song structures are other-worldly. There is not one wasted note in the whole mix. It also has to be said that it never sounds the same twice.

Without any reservation whatsoever, it gets a 10/10 from me. Ignore the samples here and just get the album. If you're already here looking and you've managed to get all the way through my review, then it's almost a guarantee that you've found your album. Enjoy.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars simply awesome!, January 29, 2008

By 

Todd SE "Todd" (CT) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fortress (Audio CD)

It is incredible that anyone at any time in their life can accomplish what these guys do, but the fact that these guys are doing it in their early 20s is even more fascinating. Seriously, this album is so well thought out, the lyrics are really crazy and far out there, the things they sing about have the most bizarre metaphors and they always give off a feeling as though they are in a battle, VERY EPIC! That's not even about how awesome these musicians actually are, which is what I love most about this band, the instrumentals, odd time measures, and a hefty dose of insanity that they throw into the mix for every song allows you to be able to interpret this band as one of the best out there today! Great great album and an improvement from Kezia!