'Fortis Ventus' is a Greek symphonic metal formation which was created in 2015 and which underwent a big upheaval in 2018, the duo 'Nancy Mos'/'George Halliwell' finding themselves alone to continue the adventure. With the arrival of the guitarist and bassist 'Grégory Koilakos' in 2019, they offer us their first studio recording 'Vertalia', 'Grigoris Giarelis' officiating as session drummer. It's a concept album written by 'George Halliwell' that tells us a fairy tale about an imaginary planet 'Vertalia' where the main character embarks on a journey to discover his inner truth and the truth of life itself. Musically, they develop a symphonic metal bringing us back to the 2000s, the clear atmospheres highlighting rich orchestrations, the metal often taking second place.
12 titles for one hour of listening, here is the menu of this first opus of the Greeks which begins with 'Between Love and War', composition which slowly gains momentum and which introduces 'Nancy Mos' with a admirable first vocal performance, its register between clear and lyrical reminiscent in certain places of 'Simone Simons' and 'Tarja'. Follows 'Birth of Sadness' which continues with a ballad beginning calmly with orchestral arrangements deploying a certain melancholy, the electric instruments arriving quite late in this very beautiful title, then, the eponymous title 'Vertalia' continues in the same style, the piano accompaniment bringing a very romantic classical atmosphere. Make way for the melodic hit 'Cave of Glass' (see video here),, more stirring, which once again highlights the harmonious lyrical singing of 'Nancy Mos' in a performance of great beauty, then, after the instrumental introduction 'Living Thorns (Prelude)' with a remarkable piano accompaniment, 'Gothecia' deploys a symphonic composition with grandiose choirs and a memorable melody, the whole alternating in a beautiful way powerful sections and others calmer. With the 10 minutes of 'Unveiling Path', the Greeks develop their characteristic symphonic style with sophisticated orchestral arrangements, the guitar being relegated to the background, then, 'My Death Is My Devotion' (see the video above) is another catchy melodic hit that got a single and should work well live. The instrumental 'Door to the Unknown' then serves as an introduction to 'Reflections of Myself' which still deploys an addictive chorus with a new break in the second part of the title highlighting a piano accompanied by a melancholic cello, the album ending with a new melodic jewel, 'The Eagle's Chase' with a lot of imposing choirs and 'Homeland' which is a magnificent ballad in which we let ourselves be lulled by the moving song of 'Nancy Mos'.
In summary, the Greeks of 'Fortis Ventus' release a very beautiful album which brings us back to the beginning of symphonic metal with sumptuous orchestral arrangements, catchy melodic lines and a singer who is as comfortable in a register lyrical than clear, and 'Vertalia' should appeal to an audience favoring the symphonic side to the power of metal... | |
