Fortress
by Protest the Hero
  • Record Label: Vagrant
  • Release Date: Jan 29, 2008
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 143 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 110 out of 143
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 143
  3. Negative: 26 out of 143

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  1. [Anonymous]
    Apr 1, 2008
    10
    Awesome. Just awesome
  2. Srious
    Mar 23, 2008
    10
    Anyone who calls this album "emo" or clearly has no clue what they are talking about. "Emo" has turned into some sort of blanket insult that covers any type of metal that doesn't meet the precise genre definitions as decreed by some closed-minded metal know-it-all.
  3. EddM.
    Apr 2, 2008
    8
    Although the 90% average is slightly high, this is definately an album well worth listening to for fans of metal, protest, or for people who just want to try something new.
  4. JiminyC.
    Apr 1, 2008
    10
    I'm always confused by those who lash out at this band. I read below that there is not much original in Protest the Hero's music, and I suppose that this is fair. But I assure you, the same is equally true for just about anything in anybody's record collection. Music builds upon that which came before it, so it's a strain to claim that much originality in almost any I'm always confused by those who lash out at this band. I read below that there is not much original in Protest the Hero's music, and I suppose that this is fair. But I assure you, the same is equally true for just about anything in anybody's record collection. Music builds upon that which came before it, so it's a strain to claim that much originality in almost any given record. I'm pretty excited by what I'm hearing in these songs, and I've been dedicated to aggressive music for the better part of 25 years. Even if I didn't really like it, I think that these kids deserve to have me spend my money - their aim is so clearly not trendy Their love for their craft is obvious.… Expand
  5. JordanS.
    Apr 1, 2008
    8
    I love what these guys are doing here. It sounds brilliantly like, you know, 1980's speed-metal, only it's loads more original. The vocals are outstanding, almost to a humorous point sometimes. I'm sure I would have enjoyed "Fortress" more, however, if the drummer could hold back a bit. That doesn't mean I'll discredit it the rating it truly deserves, but it would I love what these guys are doing here. It sounds brilliantly like, you know, 1980's speed-metal, only it's loads more original. The vocals are outstanding, almost to a humorous point sometimes. I'm sure I would have enjoyed "Fortress" more, however, if the drummer could hold back a bit. That doesn't mean I'll discredit it the rating it truly deserves, but it would be easier for me to enjoy if that double bass drum wasn't so incessant. "Blood Meat," the album's first single, is genius and will be on my list of best songs of the year for sure.… Expand
  6. TonyB.
    Apr 1, 2008
    8
    The emo vocals and their approach remind me of Faith No More but they have way much more technical musicianship that sets them on a higher level. The only issue I have with this band is that they have not figured out what they want to say with their music yet. I'll attribute it to them being still relatively young so they can waste their time , for a little while, with mindless The emo vocals and their approach remind me of Faith No More but they have way much more technical musicianship that sets them on a higher level. The only issue I have with this band is that they have not figured out what they want to say with their music yet. I'll attribute it to them being still relatively young so they can waste their time , for a little while, with mindless wandering as long as the music is good (which it kicks @ss in this case!!!). Once they get their heads out of their collectives @sses and take a stand on something other than D&D, medievel battles and video gamelike blood & gore...WATCH OUT!!! Then they will truly be a force to reckon with. Great listen!… Expand
  7. PAbraham
    Apr 3, 2008
    10
    Protest is simply one the most awesome bands ever. 10/10 !!! Those who cannot like this must be making conclusions on a single listen. Complex music deserves a few more spins obviously.
  8. MikeM.
    May 1, 2008
    9
    Great album, if you like metal at all give it a listen. Opinions are like culos, everyone's got one so judge this for yourself. This cd is one that I never leave the house without.
  9. JerM.
    May 8, 2008
    10
    I love how people criticize an album for its "emo" vocals etc. In order to properly judge an album and give it an unbiased rating people can't go into the review expecting something or alreay labelling the artists. Meerely listen, observe, and state your opinions and above all, know what you're talking about before you give something a mediocre rating.
  10. Chris
    Feb 16, 2008
    9
    Given that I had an extremely high tilt from their debut 'situationist-requiem' Kezia, I had high expectations for their sophomore. I was far from disappointed. I hold this album to the same plateau as their earlier album. With outstanding riffs mixed with melodies, this 'everything-but-the-kitchen-sink' metal album cannot disappoint. If it does, you'd be best to Given that I had an extremely high tilt from their debut 'situationist-requiem' Kezia, I had high expectations for their sophomore. I was far from disappointed. I hold this album to the same plateau as their earlier album. With outstanding riffs mixed with melodies, this 'everything-but-the-kitchen-sink' metal album cannot disappoint. If it does, you'd be best to find another genre all together. Good work boys.… Expand
  11. Neil
    Feb 18, 2008
    10
    This album kicks major ass!! Great job eh...these Canadiens really rock. Excellent musicianship mixed with some really great melodies. I haven't been this pumped about a band since I first heard Killswitch Engage. Great job guys!!
  12. David
    Feb 22, 2008
    10
    This is already in the running for best album of the year from me... and it was only released in January!
  13. AlecMacD.
    Mar 23, 2008
    9
    This album does everything that most relevant metal bands are doing today, but combines all these elements into one package that is not only extremely tech., but also very fun to listen to.
  14. MattH.
    Mar 31, 2008
    10
    Definately different than Kezia, but still totally awesome. I don't understand why people who dont like a certain kind of music, rate a good band poorly. Jerks.
  15. JamesP.
    Apr 1, 2008
    9
    WOW, Rael and Liam must have their ears painted on. The riffage is insane, the vocals are interesting and varied (more than jsut the screaming/melodious style of metalcore), the concept is cool too. I can understand the constant riffing might drive you nuts, and I understand you might have to like mathcore to get into it, but there is no denying these guys are doing something which is WOW, Rael and Liam must have their ears painted on. The riffage is insane, the vocals are interesting and varied (more than jsut the screaming/melodious style of metalcore), the concept is cool too. I can understand the constant riffing might drive you nuts, and I understand you might have to like mathcore to get into it, but there is no denying these guys are doing something which is leaps and bounds ahead of most prog bands. Played it to my mate who doesn't like heavy music and he was even suitably impressed... I believe his words were.. "Jesus Christ!"… Expand
  16. DeclanE.
    Apr 20, 2008
    8
    This album has so far been one of my favorites of 2008, which is saying a lot as this year has seen new albums from some of the best bands around, namely the mars volta and radiohead. They have shown a great deal of maturity over the course of their musical careers and Fortress is no exception. The musicianship is far greater than most bands in not only their genre, but overall. I just This album has so far been one of my favorites of 2008, which is saying a lot as this year has seen new albums from some of the best bands around, namely the mars volta and radiohead. They have shown a great deal of maturity over the course of their musical careers and Fortress is no exception. The musicianship is far greater than most bands in not only their genre, but overall. I just hope they continue down this path and don't stray too far into the realm of hardcore growlings which have become more prevalent since the days of Kezia.… Expand
  17. SethV.
    Apr 2, 2008
    10
    This band is simply AMAZING.
  18. GilbertT.
    Apr 22, 2008
    9
    The emo vocals take a while to get used to , but once I got past that I realized how awesome it is. If you are into technical metal you will love the guitar work on this, and I love how they switch genres so effortlessly without making it sound forced or gimmicky.
  19. ZackB.
    Apr 9, 2008
    9
    Protest have achieved a monolith of a metal album. Creative melodies and catchy hooks, adeptly weave into an insanely technical web of high-energy musicianship. They soar high above the sea of mediocrity that is currently the contemporary metal scene.
  20. TommyR.
    Jun 1, 2008
    8
    Amazing band. Amazing album. Not as good as Kezia in my personal opinion, but still a spectacular record.
  21. SamY
    Aug 16, 2008
    10
    This album is spectacular. As a singer versed in a variety of different genres and styles, I give this album a ten because rody has an amazing range, luke and tim shred relentlessly, and arif and moe keep the beat popping like nobody's business. Before you rate this album low or dismiss it entirely, I would like to ask that you try and hit all the notes he does esp the growls and This album is spectacular. As a singer versed in a variety of different genres and styles, I give this album a ten because rody has an amazing range, luke and tim shred relentlessly, and arif and moe keep the beat popping like nobody's business. Before you rate this album low or dismiss it entirely, I would like to ask that you try and hit all the notes he does esp the growls and screams. Not so easy is it? What makes him even more remarkable is that he has developed enough vocal endurance to sing this style of music for a long time (during shows he rarely falters). Arif writes all the lyrics and can keep up with luke's shred with his own tapping and sweeps which garners a lot of respect from me. Protest would not be the metal onslaught it is today without arif and rody, two of the youngest powerhouse rockers of the new millenium.… Expand
  22. AgustínL.
    Feb 16, 2008
    10
    I had to give it a 10 to balance out the mess that diediedie hard did but overall this is a great album sometimes i have my doubts of some transitions as some one before said, and the voice its not precisely my cup of tea, but in a whole the album is awesome.
  23. JoshB.
    Feb 19, 2008
    10
    Being a big fan of Kezia, I had high expectations for this album. They were met and exceeded.
  24. TobyW.
    Feb 22, 2008
    9
    I had never heard of this band but I picked up the album based on the reviews. I really like it. I find a lot of metal heads tend to be extremely closed-minded, listening only to their one or two little niche sub-sub-genres and proclaiming every other kind of metal to be "crap". I suspect as this album stradles quite a few different sub-genres that it will get panned by a lot of these people.
  25. Evan
    Feb 27, 2008
    10
    I liked most of Protest's first album, Kezia, and was quite hopeful that Fortress would be pretty good too. However, I was actually blown away by how much the band had changed, for the better, and it was almost like listening to a different band altogether. Already a player for my favorite CD of the year.
  26. BrandonS.
    Feb 27, 2008
    7
    These guys are great instrumentalists, but the dio type singing destroys this album for me, I just can't get into it.
  27. FranklinT.
    Mar 18, 2008
    10
    When a band comes out with an album like this at their age, you don't sit on your mediocre asses and guffaw at "emo vocals". This album is visionary, you sons of bitches. Bow your heads in shame. The Metal Divines are sending us an invention--invention relies on the furious creativity of return (to old Metal) and abandon (the New Sound)--of Sound. If you can't see or accept that When a band comes out with an album like this at their age, you don't sit on your mediocre asses and guffaw at "emo vocals". This album is visionary, you sons of bitches. Bow your heads in shame. The Metal Divines are sending us an invention--invention relies on the furious creativity of return (to old Metal) and abandon (the New Sound)--of Sound. If you can't see or accept that then you're either deaf to the music of the spheres or, as is typical of you mortal dirt-bags, jealous.… Expand
  28. XavierL.
    Mar 18, 2008
    10
    If you give lower then a perfect score then you should never listen to music again. This is not only the best album of the year, but is the greatest album of all time.
  29. A.A.
    Mar 19, 2008
    10
    Epic enough said.
  30. NickC.
    Mar 24, 2008
    10
    Anyone who cannot appreciate this album is quite unfortunate. This is by far one of the most talented bands on the planet whether you like this style of music or not.
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Awards & Rankings

13
#13 Best Album of 2008
28
#28 Most Discussed Album of 2008

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
86

Universal acclaim - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 7
  3. Negative: 1 out of 7
  1. Sputnikmusic
    90
    It's a scarily mature album for a bunch of 21 year olds to have recorded, and the pairing of its ambitious lyrical concepts and motivated songwriting is something to be admired.
    Read full review
  2. AllMusic
    80
    Protest the Hero is having fun with their creativity here, and Fortress is a better album for it.
    Read full review
  3. NOW Magazine
    80
    Fortress stands out as gratifyingly heavy and heady.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »