Fates Warning is a name that needs no introduction. They may have gotten a great deal of acclaim for their time with vocalist Ray Alder but their three albums with original singer John Arch have acquired a godlike status in the prog metal lexicon. This apparently hasn’t gone unnoticed by Fates mastermind Jim Matheos as the pair finally reunited in 2003 to work on Arch’s solo EP comeback.
Now, in a way similar to the tragically short-lived Heaven and Hell, Jim and John have put together Arch/Matheos and brought some notable figures along for the ride. The resulting release doesn’t have the same sound as the old Fates Warning material but it does offer something that is just as enjoyable.
Why Do We Remember The Cold November Rain?
Seeing as how this project is essentially the current Fates Warning lineup with Arch in place of Alder (the latter is even thanked in the liner notes “for understanding”) and how much of this material was intended for that band, it wouldn’t be too foolish for one to assume that this album is driven by the mystical sound that was present on classic releases such as “Awaken the Guardian.” However, it turns out to be a completely different beast…
For starters, this album has an incredibly modern feel and fits in with the current prog metal mindset much more than it does with any old school mentality. The production comes out loud and clear while the band’s performance aesthetics seem to have a lot in common with the recent releases put out by Dream Theater or Symphony X.
But while some may brand this new project as having a rather generic presentation, the group itself does manage to stand out thanks to their individual performances. The atmosphere is still pretty dark, the song structures are complex, and everyone gets plenty of chances to show off their technical skills. The guitars show off the most dexterity as the riffs express some tricky rhythms and sweet melodic moments while the drums also get some cool patterns in.
As subconsciously expected, John Arch is the real star on this release. In a way similar to Anthrax’s Joey Belladonna, Arch truly defies his age as he effortlessly moves up and down his range while refusing to simplify his vocal lines. One thing that has changed is the lack of the whimsy that popped up on past songs like “Fata Morgana” but it could be argued that such an approach wouldn’t really fit a tone like this. That and his accent and mannerisms are enough to let you know that the man hasn’t really changed a bit…
Shadows Are Dancing, Spirits Romancing
The song variety on this album seems to have a thing or two in common with modern Dream Theater as the six songs on here consist of three songs that are less than eight minutes long and three that are longer than ten.
Having a large number of longer songs may prove to be a bit exhausting for some but the ones on here manage to be quite enjoyable. “Stained Glass Sky” is one of the strongest songs on here, if not the strongest thanks to the tricky guitar play during the verses, awesome chorus transitions, and the acoustic segment towards the end though the instrumental segments may dance on the long-winded side. “Neurotically Wired” also does a good job of starting things off while “Any Given Day (Strangers Like Me)” is probably the fastest track on here.
The shorter songs also manage to be quite good as well. “Midnight Serenade” is probably the best song on here and easily its most accessible due to the building verses and sweeping chorus that are put on display. In addition, “On The Fence” is probably the heaviest track on here with its chugging riffs while “Incense And Myrrh” closes the album out with another smooth chorus and melodic solo work.
When looking at this album overall in context to the Fates Warning discography, the number of longer songs on here is quite an unusual move. That band certainly has their share of lengthy tracks but only one or two were recorded with Arch and even the ones with Alder’s vocals were cut up into different sections half the time! Fortunately everything’s written well enough to keep this from being a grating complaint but it does make one wonder if they could’ve spared an extra song or two…
A Candle’s Flame Unwavering
Overall, this is one of the most well put-together albums that 2011 has to offer but there is no denying that it can be a hard release to get a feel for. The modern feel and rather long songs may enough to put some off, but the band members’ persistence does make it another good example of the older crop showing the young just how it’s done. That and there’s no denying that Fates Warning was pretty tricky to begin with…
But as someone who hasn’t listened to much of their main band’s material since Perfect Symmetry, I’m not really sure how this album fits in their overall discography. All I can say is that it does make one hope that Matheos will be able to transfer this energy to his next big project. And if this ensemble doesn’t have another full-length up its sleeve, will someone at least recruit Arch for a full-time endeavor? This man has so much more ass to kick!
Current Highlights:
- “Midnight Serenade”
- “Stained Glass Sky”
- “On The Fence”
Christopher Latta - I am the lead singer/bassist of Psychic Faith and the writer of many hard rock and heavy metal reviews
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