Fortify release their latest EP ‘Valhalla’ on October 27 and to prepare you for the release, the band have prepared a track-by-track guide to the subject of each song. You can pre-order ‘Valhalla’ now at iTunes.
1. What About Us
This was the second track Fortify wrote together since the band’s formation in January 2015. This song is about overcoming a deep and meaningful relationship whilst dealing with self-doubt and constantly questioning everything; hence the title. This track is meant to empower the listener with a strong sense of self determination as well as putting across a powerful statement which is achieved with how the song is lyrically and musically structured. Each verse explores the concept of letting go and self-empowerment whilst the chorus goes back to questioning everything that’s led to this point. The choruses also revolved around a half-time groove which emphasises the idea of slowing down the individual’s thought process and the self-doubt that they feel. The bridge begins with a more clean, ambient feel to emphasise the emotion and the constant battle within the person’s mind.
2. Survivors
This song is about the band as individuals conquering our demons and finding strength as a unit. Equally, this track portrays a hidden history within the band. Through all the arguments and conflicts that we overcome, we always find ourselves stronger afterwards. However, the song can also be interpreted as an individual simply attempting to overcome obstacles and battles in life. This is achieved by comparing the situation to that of a literal battle with discussing fights, falling and being merciful to others whilst sometimes questioning what the right thing is at that point in time. This is the only track to have a more ballad-esque feel due to the 6/8 time signature and has a huge contrast in clean and distorted guitars throughout each section which also emphasises the emotional roller-coaster of the individual. This is further accentuated in the outro with the line “They won’t take us down” and gives the sense of accomplishment in overcoming those obstacles.
3. Rumours
As the first song Fortify wrote since formation, ‘Rumours’ is a track about overcoming the odds when they are stacked against you. At the time of composition, ‘Rumours’ were being spread about a member of the band which inspired the idea of composing a track around the topic. The band wanted to capture the angst and frustration of someone having their world crumble through lies that people spread about them. This is the only track to maintain a full-time groove throughout most of the track and is also the only one to feature a guitar solo. We felt like the constant distorted guitars and aforementioned tempo emphasises the anger from the individual.
4. Emergency Exit
As most of the band members are heavily into gaming, the track ‘Emergency Exit’ was inspired by Skyrim from The Elder Scrolls games. Whilst using literal gaming language such as levelling up, the song also has a much deeper meaning. We decided to use the idea of comparing life to a video game where you begin and have no skills or attributes. However, over time you begin to become better at the levels you found difficult before as you progress throughout the game. This can be compared to everyday life struggles such as things you found difficult when you were a child seem easy now you’ve grown older and this philosophy will continue as time goes on. Although times may be hard, you should always see things through to the bitter end.
5. Strangers
This song was written for a dear friend of the band in mind and thus holds special meaning within Fortify. The song utilises the creation of opposite characters within the music and tells the story of someone watching their best friend go through hell and back because of a toxic person in their life (hence the constant contrast of roses and thorns mentioned throughout). This is arguably one of the more experimental tracks on the EP as the musicality seems to compliment the lyricism. For example, the verses discuss the heartbreak the friend is going through, the choruses talk about the anger the individual feels towards the person who’s making their friend’s life a misery and the bridge/outro of the track dives into how that individual will always be there to aid their friend in need and help them pick up the pieces.
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