Forte

There's nothing better than cheap thrills. I bought Forte's "Division" in the 90's; I remember I liked it ok and listened to it a few times, but for some reason it's sat on the shelf since. I didn't keep any concrete memories of it.
So the other day I saw it sitting there and gave it a spin, and it kicked my ass! Slightly progressive thrash, with clean power metal vocals. Kinda in there with early Iced Earth, prime Anacrusis "Screams & Whispers", or even Deliverence "Weapons". I can't believe I let this thing gather dust for ten years, but I'm enjoying it now!

Oh, man! I second this motion. In 1996, a guy that lived across the hall from me in the dorm I lived in showed me this album. I bought it immediately. It's one of my all-time favorite discs now! It's killer. I highly recommend Rise Above, too. It's a little more straightforward heavy metal, but a great CD. Unfortunately, Stranger Than Fiction and Destructive have eluded me all these years.

Jeff and Scott disappeared for many years after Rise Above, but about a year and a half ago I asked about a new album and it was supposedly in the works.

http://www.myspace.com/fortemetal

I just sent a new message and asked for an update.

I gottta get Rise Above then...The guy has a great voice for straightforward metal.

SAHB Healer wrote:

I gottta get Rise Above then...The guy has a great voice for straightforward metal.

Different singer on Rise Above, but he's great as well. He's probably a more suitable voice for the style. Check the MySpace page. There's one song from each album.

I have four Forté CDs. I haven't dug them out in a while either. Might have to do that tomorrow.

ult

On my TRADE list DIVISION was on but after reading this post i checked out the cd and i like it now thats why its not for trade anymore. THANKSSSSS.

Not bad, not bad. I think I may have an odd track or two from these guys in my heap of random MP3 discs, but I'm not sure.

Woh!! I read this thread this morning.....put Forte on my LaLa wants right away....leave the house for about 2 hours and I have Forte - Division coming my way!!! WOO!!!! Thanks guys!

scottmitchell74 wrote:

Woh!! I read this thread this morning.....put Forte on my LaLa wants right away....leave the house for about 2 hours and I have Forte - Division coming my way!!! WOO!!!! Thanks guys!

You'll love it. I didn't realize these guys were so unknown. I thought everyone here would know them.

It appears they kinda slipped through the cracks for several people here. Maybe thier timing was a little off commercially (post classic thrash and pre power metal boom?) At this point I can't understand why I might have shelved the thing. It sounds great to me now.

Oh, they definitely missed the mark coming out with their first album in 1992. It's unfortunate, too, because they stuck it out throughout the 90s, but I'd be willing to bet they sold little to no albums.

From Greg:

Quote :

We will be doing vocals, leads and mix, in the next couple of weeks. it will be finished very soon, i will put some songs up real soon.

thanks for giving a Smurf,
cheers....Greg

Sweet! I think an interview is in store. I love interviewing and reviewing bands that you can't find interviewed/reviewed on every review site out there. I'd like to interview Anacrusis, too.

I really hate to admit this, but in the early 90's I was living in the city and into the Lollapalooza and Edgefest type stuff; and I think I was reluctant to embrace stuff that I viewed as "old school" at that time. I think that's why I shelved Forte until now. What a moron I was! Anacrusis is actually one of the bands that helped me grow out of such idiocy.

SAHB Healer wrote:

I really hate to admit this, but in the early 90's I was living in the city and into the Lollapalooza and Edgefest type stuff; and I think I was reluctant to embrace stuff that I viewed as "old school" at that time. I think that's why I shelved Forte until now. What a moron I was! Anacrusis is actually one of the bands that helped me grow out of such idiocy.

Idiocy? Nah, that's human nature, bro. We all do it. Idiocy would be still thinking that way (and also thinking that enjoying that music now is stupid). At least you've seen the light!

By the way, Forte are playing at the Keep It True festival in Germany on the 8th. Anyone going?

That Keep It True festival has the greatest lineup I have ever seen in one place. Ever!!

SAHB Healer wrote:

I gottta get Rise Above then...The guy has a great voice for straightforward metal.

I have this one too. And I like it very much.

For those interested, Sentinel Steel has "Division" in the clearence section for $5.88

Divebomb Records recently reissued their STRANGER THAN FICTION album with a whole mess o' demo stuff as bonus tracks. Sounds pretty bad-ass to me, gonna be reviewing it for Detritus eventually.



Anybody else get a Vicious Rumors kind of vibe or is it just me?

These guys were one of those bands I always heard much about, but never actually heard, back in the day.

That tune showed up on one of the Metal Massacres. Really good song. Ithink that's a bonus track on the re-release? I don't think it was on the original version of Stranger Than Fiction (I've never heard it). Division is a great follow-up and Destructive is good but not as strong. I have yet to hear Rise Above as well.