Now Playing: Fortress’ ‘Waiting For The Night’

Metal band Fortress is back! The group has released a new album titled Waiting For The Night. But first, for those not yet familiar with the act in question, a bit o’ background.

Fortress

Fortress is a Los Angeles, California-based metal band. The group was a 1980s-era Sunset Strip favorite. The roster includes: Ted Heath (lead vocals); Chris Turbis (keyboards and vocals), Arthur Dominguez (bass and vocals), Chris Silva (drums), and Kevin Reyes (guitar). Turbis recalls that back then "it wasn't uncommon to see the likes of Tommy Lee (from Motley Crue), Ronnie James Dio, or Iron Maiden's Adrian Smith in the crowd, watching us, at any given show."

The band was frequently on the same bill on one of the many Hollywood clubs - Gazzarri's, The Roxy, The Troubadour, and The Whiskey, - with Poison, Warrant, and Alcatrazz. The group was close to scoring a recording contract in the late 1980s when the recording industry went through a near-overnight change due to the emergence of grunge bands such as Nirvana. The Strip changed too, as did the particular palette of the record executives who were still working. The group soon disbanded but reunited for a one-night-only gig in late 2017.

Signature sound

Fortress’s signature sound is a melding of music genres including (but not necessarily limited to) heavy metal, power pop, and rock ‘n’ roll. Their material is often compared to such other acts as Dokken, Europe, Iron Maiden, Pretty Maids, and Savatage, with a tuneful touch of AOR elements.

Waiting For The Night

This disc has been three decades in the making. According to recent press releases, this disc is due, in part, to the help of the popular hostess of the iScream radio show, Christine Tsaprouni, who brought them to the attention of the people at Sonic Age Records/Cult Metal Classics, who actually specialize in recordings from bands popular during “the glory days of metal.” “Waiting For The Night* was born. The CD includes nine tracks

Track by Track

This album opens on“Fire Burning In Me.” It is a strong, energetic intro for those new to the act. The instrumentation checks all the boxes and it is unapologetically unsubtle.

The second selection is "When Will The Fighting End," It’s the first single off the release and deservedly so. Turbis said: "This song was written in 1985/86 but has never been so globally relevant as it is now," Sadly, he’s right. The music contains older images and yet the message may always apply as long as man walks the earth.

The title track, “Waiting For The Night”, is an excellent example of the group’s solid yet fluid signature sound. In that, while each song obviously has its own identity, this cut not only contains all the elements of the precious piece. it also has something individualistic within its layers.

“Feel Your Touch” is an early fan fave. This one is slightly slower which demonstrates the impact of AOR and perhaps even the industry as well. It's good to change things up a little eerie so often anyway,

The next number is “Never Look Away” This one serves not only as another example of the band's instrumental abilities but their songwriting skills as well.

“Changes In Your Mind” has a vague Iron Maiden feel to it. This music is perhaps made more for touring than airplay on most radio stations of the day although today who knows? Fortress was certainly capable of walking the fence and still rocking.

“The Cycle Life” also exhibits a possible Iron Maiden influence. Check out that head-bobbing rhythm. It also has a real conquering-hero-riding-off-into-the-sunset el to it and would sere well as a show closer. The CD itself, however, still has more to over.

“Time To Tell” follows. Listen closely to this added extra and you might notice some Europe-like elements here. This is truly an anthemic audio offering yet another aspect of the act’s efforts.

The raw bonus track “Rock Is My Life (Won’t Let Go)” is also included on the CD version. It offers listeners a mere hint of what this quintet could do live.

Overall…

Overall, this disc is actually a compilation of songs Fortress recorded sometime between 1984 and 1988 when one might say heavy metal was arguably near dominant and truly prolific. The songs indicate the act’s ability to productively pair a (then) “sophisticated” American metal sound with the simplistic fun of rockin’ out in an L.A. club. They offer a mix of west coast ‘80s metal with album-oriented rock. So check out Fortress’ Waiting For The Night on SonicAge Records and experience some “Changes In Your Mind.”

(Images courtesy of​ Doug Deutsch Publicity Services)