The Shattered Fortress discussion thread

[Nic35]

The only song of the album which doesn't have its thread. So here it is !

I love that song, the best of the album IMO. I love the riff at 1 min 37 sec. This might be one of their best metal riff ever. I love how they managed to put parts of the other 12 steps suite and make even better (Repentance, This Dying Soul).

The keyboard solo is of my favourites by Rudess, especially at 6 min 08 sec.

5/5

[Pyroph]

The slowed down TDS riff is killer, as is JP's ending solo. Ultimately disappointed it wasn't a brand new song, but the presentation is great so I can't complain.

I never have a problem with Mike's vocals, but they just sound so weird in this. Sounds like there's something in his mouth.

[GuineaPig]

It's a big meh.  The starting couple minutes is great, and the early chorus is awesome, but it just drags post-Repentance rehash.

[zmazar]

Probably the weakest song on the album.  It seems kind of disjointed, and it doesn't flow as well as the other songs on the album.  I like the reuse of the lyrical melodies with different lyrics, but I was disappointed with the lack of NEW music.  Not a bad song, but it's definitely not as strong as the rest of the songs on the album in my opinion.

[ariich]

Really good song, and some absolutely fantastic moments. I love the way they've taken loads of ideas from the previous songs but done really clever things with them.

One of my favourites is the soft bit from Repentance being made bigger and heavier, followed not too long after by a heavy bit from TGP made soft.

[Blind_FaithX]

I'm not a fan of the twelves step suite at all. I think a lot of their weakest songs are part of that.

Still, it's a good song; better than a lot of the twelve step suite.

[Pierced Brosnan]

JLB owns this song, he sounds so evil at parts, and there's the FLY NOW BE FREEEE! line, which is awesome.

In fact, I think JLB is maybe the star of the album quite possibly, sounds great on every song, and nails every delivery. Although JP has some incredible moments too.

[zmazar]

JLB owns this song, he sounds so evil at parts, and there's the FLY NOW BE FREEEE! line, which is awesome.

In fact, I think JLB is maybe the star of the album quite possibly, sounds great on every song, and nails every delivery. Although JP has some incredible moments too.

I think this one of JR's best albums as well.  Hell.... everyone's pretty effing awesome on this album lol.

[nightmare_cinema]

This is probably my favourite song on the album so far, god it's just so good, the riff at 5.22 makes me tingle. I love the whole AA thing and how all the songs relate to each other. By far the best bit though is 10.54, first time I heard that was incredible. The perfect climax to the suite..

[HarlequinForest]

Probably the weakest song on the album.  It seems kind of disjointed, and it doesn't flow as well as the other songs on the album.  I like the reuse of the lyrical melodies with different lyrics, but I was disappointed with the lack of NEW music.  Not a bad song, but it's definitely not as strong as the rest of the songs on the album in my opinion.

This, except it's still my second favorite song on the album, behind TCoT.  It's extremely disjointed and flows as smoothly as rotten milk, but all the riffs are awesome, all of Jordan's keyboard parts are awesome, it has what I think is JP's second best solo on the album, and the rehashes, while inferior to the originals, to me, sound great together since they changed the tones of them to match.

[AtmosphericV]

The first step of the song is definately the best, where they revisit TGP and add some more to it. AWESOME. Its probably the most badass ever from DT, however the song gets a little weaker at the end and the last step is kind of a let down comparde to the first 6-7mins.

[tri.ad]

I wasn't too excited when I heard that it's basically a rehash of the four previous 12SS songs, but it didn't disappoint at all. It flows surprisingly well (except the kinda awkward transition to the TROAE reprise), and the TGP bass riff reprise left me with a big smile on my face. Really nice wrap-up to the suite.

[emindead]

Worst song in the album. I'm really happy the Suite is finally over.
Like it has been discussed before in other parts, the verse at 3:40 and onwards it's Britney Spears - "Toxic".

I do like the "I'm responsible!!!" part. It's cool.

[Nic35]

One of my favourites is the soft bit from Repentance being made bigger and heavier, followed not too long after by a heavy bit from TGP made soft.

I couldn't say better.

[nightmare_cinema]

Worst song in the album. I'm really happy the Suite is finally over.
Like it has been discussed before in other parts, the verse at 3:40 and onwards it's Britney Spears - "Toxic".

I do like the "I'm responsible!!!" part. It's cool.

Haha, I just tried singing that along to it, you're right. It's a pretty common chord progression though, isn't it? I actually like toxic! *loses all credibility*

[ariich]

(except the kinda awkward transition to the TROAE reprise)

Yeah that's the only bit I'm not so keen on, feels a little forced. The rest is brilliantly crafted though.

[j]

Haha, I just tried singing that along to it, you're right. It's a pretty common chord progression though, isn't it? I actually like toxic! *loses all credibility*

In your defense, it's probably one of the better Britney Spears songs I've heard.  Take from that what you will.   

-J

[nightmare_cinema]

lol...despite my otherwise impeccable musical taste I can't help myself gravitating towards a few britney songs. i don't own them or really listen to them, but now and then when I'm slightly tipsy before going out drinking I'll find myself putting baby one more time on youtube or something.

[emindead]

"The Shattered Fortress" is about Britney Spears. Well done, everyone.

[TimmyHiggy]

I love this song. Maybe even more than TGP... hard to tell at this stage. definitely going to be top 2 of the saga.

The riff under the (ridiculously complex, to the point that it just makes me grin) keyboard solo has to be my fave adaptation of all.

Only thing im not a fan of, like others, is the TROAE section. it just doesnt really flow into it very well...

[bmc]

I agree, worst song on the album, but that being said its still great even though its basically just a reprise.  Horrible stand alone song, awesome closer to the 12 step suite.

[perfectchaos180]

I love the song and it was so awesome but the fact that 1/6 of a new album is a medley is kinda annoying...

[SeRoX]

I agree, worst song on the album

WTF?

is there any sensible sentences I can read?

[bmc]

I agree, worst song on the album

WTF?

is there any sensible sentences I can read?

what do you mean? i meant to quote emindead's post

[SeRoX]

Commonly said! 

[Phoenix]

Am I the only person who finds the "INVENTORY!!" line in the first verse to be really out of place?

JUSTICE!!
COURTESY!!
KINDNESS!!
SELF-RESTRAINT!!
INVENTORY!!

[perfectchaos180]

btw would someone who has the actual copy like to share the names of the steps in this song?

[faemir]

I love the song and it was so awesome but the fact that 1/6 of a new album is a medley is kinda annoying...

You say it's a medley, but imo there is plenty of new lyrical content and song to warrant it's awesomeness too. And it's actually more than 1/6  

[perfectchaos180]

I love the song and it was so awesome but the fact that 1/6 of a new album is a medley is kinda annoying...

You say it's a medley, but imo there is plenty of new lyrical content and song to warrant it's awesomeness too. And it's actually more than 1/6  

I think the lyric changes are really what makes the song so great. It shows the transformation the character has gone through very well

[skydivingninja]

My second favorite from the album.  Yeah its not a completely new song, but its great both by itself and in context with the whole suite.  Bringing all four main themes together into a big pot was a risky move, but it works great.  I really hope they open with it on ProgNation.  Hell, I just want to see it at all, especially if James can nail the "FLY NOW BE FREEEEE!"

[faemir]

My second favorite from the album.  Yeah its not a completely new song, but its great both by itself and in context with the whole suite.  Bringing all four main themes together into a big pot was a risky move, but it works great.  I really hope they open with it on ProgNation.  Hell, I just want to see it at all, especially if James can nail the "FLY NOW BE FREEEEE!"

Especially after the barrage of the rest of the AA suite! I just listened to them all back to back, and I'm now smiling in my pants.

edit: is smiling in my pants referring to the american or the british use of the word pants?

[Scurvy!Dreams]

Except for a couple of weird transitions, it's really good. On first listen it sounded like a straight-up medley, but it overcomes that. Most of the transitions actually work well, and the old riffs and lyrics are reworked enough that they dont feel like rehashes. The slowed-down, more groovin TDS riff is lovely. The original content is cool too.

[brakkum]

it's very good. and people that say it is just a copy/past of other songs need to realize the purpose this song serves in the great scheme of the 12 step songs. not to mention when you do hear an old riff, it is most likely altered, and put in different context in the song itself.

[emindead]

Oh, and did anyone else thought JLB was going to attempt an F# at the end of the song?

[SeRoX]

Oh, and did anyone else thought JLB was going to attempt an F# at the end of the song?

attempt? actually he did!