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Visit product page →. Special Deluxe Collector's Edition
. Fully remastered sound shaped from 24 BIT digital technology
. Cult AOR Melodic Rock album / Contains 'Hands In The Till, 'How Do I Exist' and 'Requiem'
. 12 page full colour booklet ' 3,000 word essay, enhanced artwork, rare photos and new band interview.
The Music Business is littered with sob stories. Those that shoulda', coulda', woulda' made it if matters hadn't conspired against them. It's a familiar tale of woe alright and one that we've heard a million times before yet the strangest thing is some of the world's greatest recordings have been cruelly thrown to the kerb by a simple twist of fate. Step forward Fortress, an act that really ought to have made a much bigger splash than they did.
Although the band came and went in the wink of an eye, they're members had actually been active for a number of years, even rubbing musical shoulders with several prestigious outfits during the 70's, including Tom Petty's Mudcrutch and cult hard rock act White Witch. The big break came with the formation of Fortress yet, sadly, through no fault of their own, success failed to materialise.
Based in Los Angeles, the band attracted the ears of Freddie Piro a producer who had already made a big splash recording the progressive rock band Ambrosia. Prio's Fortress demos attracted the attention of Atlantic Records who promptly signed them, resulting in 'Hands In The Till', one of the most impressive heavy and melodic rock albums of the early 80s, attracting eager comparisons to the likes of Journey, Roadmaster, Foreigner and Boston. Sadly, like many other stunning examples, changes in the hierarchy at their label put paid to their dreams.
1. Hands In The Till2. How Do I Exist3. Comin' After You4. Requiem5. Kisses6. Let's Do It Again7. Breakin' Free8. Carry Me Back9. Back On The Path10. Mystery -
Visit product page →. Special Limited Deluxe Collector's Edition
. Fully remastered sound shaped from 24 BIT digital technology
. Features Adrian Vandenberg from Whitesnake and MoonKings
. 12 page full colour booklet ' 3,000 word essay, enhanced artwork, memorabilia, rare photos and new interview with Adrian Vandenberg
Adrian Vandenberg has been, quite rightly, hailed as one of the world's best rock guitar players, carving out a first class reputation for himself since the early 1970s. His band Vandenberg, formed in Holland in 1981, became one of the surprise attractions during the early eighties, storming the US charts and stylistically rivalling the cream of hard rock contenders such as Ratt, Dokken and Def Leppard. With the right looks and hooks it appeared that they could have gone on to bigger and even better things. Sadly, however, it was not to be.
'Alibi' was their third and final album. Recorded back in Holland, and issued in 1985, the record showcased all that was good about the band, with its powerful riffs, melodic hooks and well-crafted arrangements. Once Again, it was Adrian who stole the show, writing all the songs, designing the artwork and providing a remarkable selection of guitar solos, contributions that would not go unnoticed amongst his contemporaries. Indeed, once Adrian had disbanded the band, David Coverdale approached him to join Whitesnake for their hugely successful '1987' album.
Produced by former Golden Earring drummer Jaap Eggermont, 'Alibi', despite its relative commercial failure, still holds firm as a record that combines all the great elements of Vandenberg's all too brief day in the sun, leaving behind a vapour trail that still impresses to this day.
1. All The Way2. Pedal To The Metal3. Once In A Lifetime4. Voodoo5. Dressed To Kill6. Fighting Against The World7. How Long8. Prelude Mortale9. Alibi10. Kamikaze