Formed in 1997 Human Fortress, formerly known as Timezone, return to the fray with a new line up featuring one time Gallowglass vocalist Carsten Frank in their ranks, the only surviving members from the band's formative years being guitarist Torsten Wolf and bassist Pablo Tammen. Being a clever boy Frank is also ensconced in the producer’s chair for this, their first release for Massacre Records.  

If nothing else, Human Fortress have undergone somewhat of a make over for this CD. Out go the frilly shirts and almost Quaker style dress of yore and now they look like a band from this century. There is much to recommend on Eternal Empire. It is quite Gothic in places and the un-named female vocals on Contrast er, contrast nicely with Carsten Frank. 

There’s also quite an aggressive streak running through the album but good old Mr Melody is never far away either,  Borders of Insanity being a good example. Occasionally the band seem to drift from genre to genre or band to band in their sound. Rhapsody (of Fire) are a touchstone, Blind Guardian must be an influence, ditto Iron Maiden. There’s even some newer reference points. At times I was led into thinking about In Flames and even Soilwork and it's also  pleasing to note that When Love and Hate Collide isn't a cover version of the old Def Leppard chestnut - thank god!.  

Whilst Mr Melody does indeed make an appearance, as is too often the way these days, the tunes aren’t strong enough to stand up to repeated scrutiny. For instance, as I type I’m listening to Lion’s Den for the umpteenth time but I know that in ten minutes time I won’t be able to recall the song or much about it. Eternal Empire is a pleasant enough way to pass the time but as the recession eats into even the most metal of budgets it isn’t exactly essential listening.

Simon Bray