Interview With Fotis Sotirpoulos Of Greek Power Metal Icons "Fortress Under Siege"

FORTRESS UNDER SIEGE formed back in 1992 by Fotis Sotirpoulos (Guitars) and John Vasilakis (Guitars) after the split up of the traditional heavy metal band GLADIATORS. With the addition of Michael Smeros on vocals and Nick Dedes on drums and guest musician Aris Matheakakis on bass, on December 1996 released their debut, self-titled mini CD, a release that had a great impact at that time and still considered to be one of the best progressive power metal releases from a Greek band.

In the meantime, Vangelis Hatziandreou (Bass) and George Georgiou (Keyboards) had joined the band and, therefore, started promoting their new release with live performances but unexpectedly the band split up in 1998. Although inactive as a band since then, FORTRESS UNDER SIEGE continued composing and finally reunited in 2010. On July 1st, 2011 their debut full length cd “The Mortal Flesh Of Love” was released.

2012 found the band alive and kicking, trying to book as many shows as possible with pre-production for a second album having just started, but suddenly, in December 2012 Michael Smeros left the band. Immediately Alex “Hannibal” Balakakis (ex-SPITFIRE) took his place as the band’s new singer and started working with the rest of the band on preparing their sophomore album. On October 10, 2014, Steel Gallery Records announced a contract deal with the band for releasing “Phoenix Rising” on December 15, 2014.

The period from 2015 to 2020, was marked by several successes like being chosen as main support on mighty ACCEPT Athenian gig on May, 2015, and headlining “Hermoupolis Indie Rock Festival” and “Athens Wreck Festival” in 2016, efforts to find the right person to handle the vocals after Alex departure and a decision to have Tasos Lazaris as a second guitarist on their arsenal.

Overcoming all drawbacks, FORTRESS UNDER SIEGE, entered Devasoundz Studios, Athens Greece, with producer Fotis Benardo, and although the tough decision to replace the singer Mike Livas almost at the end of the recordings and record all vocals right from the beginning had to be taken, the band manage to deliver the heaviest album of its history. In this album entitled “Atlantis”, Tasos Lazaris shifted from guitars to vocals while Themis Gourlis joined the band as the new rhythm guitarist. “Atlantis”released through ROAR Rock Of Angels Records, on October 9, 2020.

It was a great pleasure to have Fotis to talk on Atlantis and revealing the upcoming details of the forthcoming album, Check out the amazing Fotis on the below interview.