Fate's Warning: FWX

[Kenneth R.]

no, its not the 2nd coming of John Arch.

but good god, this record rocks like nothing else i've heard this year.

it opens quietly and stealthily, and quickly builds into a headbanger's best friend. but all the while, you're thinking about the awesome lyrics, the holy tone quality, the immense DEPTH of sound. this record is what i would describe as being inside Jim Matheos' head. it's amazing. i'm so at a loss for words that i'm sure this review will be far too short. the band tears up the transitions from contemplative to crushing and back again. it can be somewhat compared to A Pleasant Shade of Grey, but more straight forward.

An easy buy for any FW fan, and highly highly recommended to Prog & Metal fans.

[* * * * *]stars

Exceptional highlights:
03- River Wide Ocean Deep (expressive, ambient piece that you have to listen to on repeat, many many times)
04- Another Perfect Day (the token ballad, from a new perspective)
05- Heal Me (ominous, hauntingly powerful)
08- Handful of Doubt (think APSOG)

outdated but still updated bandsite: http://www.fateswarning.com/

 

[Jean-Pierre]

If it doesn't sound like their first four, I wont really bother...

 

[Kenneth R.]

give it a try :Spin:

if i had heard this CD, out of the context of prog metal, out of knowing that it's FW, it's still a great listen at face value. the one 'single' so far (if you can call a free download that) 'Simple Human' is -by far- the weakest track on the album, and although it fits in and has an interesting message (not in the lyrics, so much as the lack of variation of lyrics implying the simplicity of the song, over FW's signature sounding instruments,) it's not the best representation of how good this CD really is.

 

[Jean-Pierre]

I dunno man, would I really find it enjoyable if I pretty much believe they fell apart after "No Exit"?

Ehh, I guess I'll give it a go.

 

[Kenneth R.]

fun metal fact #13432: CDs you bought but didnt like make great coasters or halfassed birthday gifts :Spin:

and i dont think you'd be disappointed anyway

 

[anonymousnick2001]

I agree that Fates warning were once a kick-butt bunch of power metal warriors, but their prog-rock output hasn't been too bad. At it's worst, I'd say they were boring at times, but all the energy comes back in the live setting. APSOG actually sounds ALIVE as opposed to the ded studio recording.

And Ray Alder is the man.

 

[SoundMaster]

I dunno, either.


It's incredibly hard to sit through any of the records with Alder singing. He's a tough pill to swallow.
And, to be fair, their post-Parallels music hasn't been anything to write home about either.

If they canned Alder, they'd have some potential again, but until then....

 

[Jean-Pierre]

I dunno, either.


It's incredibly hard to sit through any of the records with Alder singing. He's a tough pill to swallow.
And, to be fair, their post-Parallels music hasn't been anything to write home about either.

If they canned Alder, they'd have some potential again, but until then....

I fucking LOVE Alder. He's not the problem at all. It's Matheos' songwriting, through and through. That's the reason I haven't liked anything since No Exit.

 

[SoundMaster]

In my view, they both share equal fault. Well no....actually Alder's "singing" would even ruin the likes of classic Maiden or Priest.


He, along with losers James LaBrie & Dave Mustaine have the worst voices in metal history. Heck, most death metal vocalists sound better!

 

[Kenneth R.]

lol wow, our opinions differ on that subject.

back to the reviews:

after "getting" the meaning of the whole album's theme (though its not a concept album) i like it even more, especially tracks 3 and 10.

 

[anonymousnick2001]

Wow, you compared the voices of James LaBrie and Dave Mustaine.


Your complimentary letterbomb should arrive in the mail shortly.

 

[Jean-Pierre]

Well no....actually Alder's "singing" would even ruin the likes of classic Maiden or Priest.

....How? He sounds like a mix of Geoff Tate and Rob Halford, mostly on No Exit. He's very professional and precise, I don't see how you could say that...

Granted, he wasn't and never will be John Arch.

 

[SoundMaster]

....He sounds like a mix of Geoff Tate and Rob Halford,

I strongly disagree.
He has NONE of the 'warmth' of either of these two. To my ears, it's all dreadful high-pitched screeching with Alder.
He RUINS some of the tracks on "Perfect Symmetry", namely Static Acts, with his over-the-top yelping.

I just can't take singers who have no concept of self-control.

When he sings the mellow stuff (Chasing Time), he's tolerable.

 

[anonymousnick2001]

I think he sounds okay on some Perfect Symmetry songs, and amazing on No Exit.

He sounds good on Disconnected as well, and would have sounded better on APSOG had the whole album not had lifeless production and playing.