Album review: HUMAN FORTRESS – Thieves Of The Night

AFM Records [Release date 18.03.16]

“Thieves of the Night” is German melodic metal band Human Fortress’s follow up to the well-received “Raided Land”. The band deal in a genre populated by bands such as Kamelot, Avantasia and Virgin Steele according to the press release.

Formed back in the late 1990’s in Hanover, Torsten Wolf, Volker Trost (both guitars) and drummer Apostolos Zaios remain from the their debut release “Lord of Earth and Heavens Heir” back in 2001. Several line-up changes later…plus an ill-advised venture into pure power metal with traces of metalcore for 2008’s “Eternal Empire”…the band returned with new vocalist Gus Monsanto for 2013’s “Raided Land”. The current line-up is completed by bassist Andre Hort and Dirk Liehm on keyboards.

Amberstow kicks off the proceedings with a medieval-like introduction of harpsichord and violin before launching into an early Kamelot-like number. Enjoyable but lacking a bit of class.

The same has to be said for most tracks…Last Prayer to the Lord, Rise or Fall, Thrice Blessed etc…all solid enough but the magical spark is missing.

The final third shows an improvement starting with Smite on the Anvil which is much more atmospheric and could easily be featured in Game of Thrones but disappointedly it is only a short instrumental piece leading into Dungeons of Doom.

Gift of Prophecy starts with an acoustic introduction and then builds nicely…quite catchy chorus on this one. Alone brings things to a close with an impressive orchestral power ballad.

Not bad but lacking that special bit of something to rise above other bands peddling this style of music. ***

Review by Phil Berisford

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 6 October 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 8 October 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 28 October 2024

IZZY REIGN Spooky Scary Skeletons (FiXT)
THE RASMUS Rest In Pieces (Better Noise Music)
THE PLAGUE What Else Can I Do (FiXT)
STAR CIRCUS Turn The Tide (indie)
DEFENCES Breathe It In (Long Branch Records)

Featured Albums w/c 28 October 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)