Markus Fortunato is a self-taught bassist-singer from Lyon, France who has been involved in underground metal since the late 80s. Released at the end of 2012, the concept-album "Fortunato Liberty" is a logical follow-up to his former group "MZ" of which he was the founder-leader and formed in 1999. This group had released seven albums between 2000 and 2010. In the spring of 2015, FORTUNATO released their second album "Restless Fire" under the Brennus label. This opus affirms even more the melodic sense and the maturity of their compositions. On these two recordings and even more on stage, the band's music will take you on a timeless journey through sometimes powerful, sometimes melodic hard rock. After several line-up changes, the band is currently composed of Seb Vallée and Alex Faccinetto on guitars, Sly Tale on drums and of course Markus on bass and vocals. The third album "Insurgency", released in the spring of 2021, further confirms that the band's universe is between neoclassical metal and a very vitaminized AOR! A fine mix of various melodic hard-rock tendencies. The band's fourth album, called "From High Above" is considered a new patchwork of heavy, progressive and symphonic music with powerful and catchy choruses self-released on May 12, 2023.

The album opens on "After The War" with an operatic posture soundtrack before pulling back with hard licks and aggressive tempo as the sulking vocals take over with just a hint of a French accent sneaking out. It's most definitely a melodic hard rock attitude. The third track "Just What We Have" opens up with church bells and an orchestral backdrop of strings and percussion with much lighter, softer vocals featured before a dazzling guitar solo takes command delivering an intensified finish. "My Sky At Night" opens fairly hardcore with hard hitting riffs over a catchy chorus and more ethereal vocals ending strong with an energetic solo complemented by steady drumming and fluid keyboards. A devouring, bruising beat aided by percussion on "Arise!" presenting an unorthodox melody with a more subtle flair of progressive rock, that I really haven't heard until this song. "Storms Can Come" is a welcomed turn to more AOR friendly tempo with a nice powerful, contagious riff with meaty vocals and harmonies portraying an aggressive tone.

I can't remember the last time I reviewed a French band, and I know they have a different, particular way of presenting themselves socially and musically. FORTUNATO did deliver as advertised, a diverse and contrasting sound. "From High Above" is not going to have pure headbangers (like myself) downloading it to our playlists, but this is an enjoyable listen and deserves kudos for a very well-done effort that has enough "la saveur" (sorry, but I couldn't do this review without at least one French word, it means flavor) that should pique your interest.