According to a recent press release: "Melodic progressive metal project FORTIS AMOR has been a passion project for guitarist/vocalist/composer/producer Ryan Duke since its inception. After spending years carefully crafting and perfecting his music and releasing two EP's of more modern takes on the genre (2009's Passage and 2012's Seismic), Duke is releasing his earlier musings out into the world. The self-titled full-length FORTIS AMOR album is scheduled to be released on May 19 and is available for pre-order via Bandcamp." We get Ryan Duke to answer our 10 Quick Ones about the upcoming release and more...

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets the band put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

There atmospheric synths throughout the album. They are quieter in the mix and help fill out the sound and add color to the songs. I did a lot of vocal harmonies, specifically very low range bass and baritone harmonies that are not noticeable due to the fact that most people don’t notice low pitches as well as higher ones. They really are depth, fullness, and a mysterious feel to many of the tracks.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

When I was 13 I started to play guitar. My father had bought me an acoustic for Christmas when I was 12. He played his whole life and was it passing down to me. It was a year before I delved into it. Prior to that I listened to a lot of rap and would rap and freestyle myself. Even before that I was really into art for a few years. Music too its place. I connected on a much more personal level with music, it was art you interacted with and experienced in real time. I’m a very visual person, but I found music was more mysterious and intriguing than visual art. I wrote 2 songs the first week I was playing guitar, they were terrible, but I couldn’t stop creating. I was hooked.

3. Who would be your main five musical influences?

It depends on the time period of my life, it changes all the time, but I’ll start in the beginning when things were fresh and had a lasting impact. Mike Patton(Faith No More, Mr. Bungle, Fantomas, Tomahawk, etc.), Tori Amos, Bjork, Deftones, and Tool.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be?

Mike Patton of course

5. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before?

Unconventional passionate metal

6. What’s the best thing about being a musician?

Creating sounds that directly effect the emotions and life of anyone who truly listens to them.

7. When the band are all hanging out together, who cooks; who gets the drinks in; and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

I am the band, so me. lol

8. If you weren’t a musician, what would be your dream job?

Being a life coach. Sounds cheesy, but I love listening to what people are going through and helping to bring clarity and an outside viewpoint to empower others to overcome struggles and reach goals.

9. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over”?

I don’t live in regret, but I would have taken singing lessons at a younger age.

10. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

Oh, wow that’s a tough question. Maybe Disco Volante by Mr. Bungle. There is so much happening on that album, I’d love to see how to they got it all to fit together in a cohesive way.

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