Fates Warning Performance?

[TwizstedJesus]

Bar none, the best band ever to touch the stage of ProgPower. They are not an energetic, make the fans go crazy balls to the wall metal band. They are technical, progressive genius. That set was awesome from start to finish, and Still Remains was mind blowing!Ivory Gate was stellar once again. Maybe Ray doesn't hit the high notes, but he doesn't make the old songs a joke with poor representation either. This is the most professional progressive metal band there is, with maybe Dream Theater on equal footing.

Superb job Glenn! Fates was awesome, as was the whole fest. Next years line-up is finally going to lure my son to Atlanta after I've tried for 3 consecutive years without luck. See you in 2010!

 

[Metal_King]

Yes, I remember you guys, although I'm not sure which one you were. What's your name?

Hey Eric, I am Jason...the one from Los Angeles. I talked with you for a little bit. But, the one you really talked quite a bit with was Jeff. Jeff is an outstanding person.

I must say, it is just completely outstanding that you took yourself all the way from the great state of New York to see your heroes in Fates Warning. In my humble opinion, you picked the best prog metal band on the planet. They can do no wrong in my book either. And I am delighted that you got to meet the guys.

I have a funny story also. I noticed that Ray Alder and Joey Vera were on the same plane as I was back to Los Angeles. I told myself I would try to meet up with them off the plane to try to get a picture with them. I caught up with them at baggage claim, but noticed that some loved ones caught up with them and I hesitated. I really did not want to interfere with their families so I left them alone.

I am sure they would have been pleasant, but Joey's wife was excited to see him. I couldn't break that up.

 

[LunaTEKKE]

Also, worth noting, was Ray's long hair. Glad to see it back.

Quoted for Truth.

 

[Berek2000]

I am sure they would have been pleasant, but Joey's wife was excited to see him. I couldn't break that up.

As only a true Progpower attendee would do. very respectful buddy.

 

[Metal Priest]

Thank you for being so cool and not making me feel shittier than I do Eric.

I hope I didn't make you feel shitty with the "out of my element" bit of my first post yesterday. I thought about asking for your cell before I left, but didn't want to "crowd" you, plus like I said I'm sure you were busy.

 

[Yippee38]

Also, worth noting, was Ray's long hair. Glad to see it back.

I want to know how he grew it so long, so fast!

 

[Cheiron]

I want to know how he grew it so long, so fast!

He's Mexican.

But yah I did a double take as well.

 

[kellsco]

I hope I didn't make you feel shitty with the "out of my element" bit of my first post yesterday. I thought about asking for your cell before I left, but didn't want to "crowd" you, plus like I said I'm sure you were busy.

Not at all. I just wanted you to have the best time that you could at your first PP, and it seems that you did.

 

[Mullmuzzler]

any insight on the second part of the art of prog interview with ray alder? supposedly the 2nd part would be on the ppusa program...

 

[KYF_Cincinnati]

I tried numerous times to try to like Fates' over the years. Now that I've matured, I may go back and try again.

I really love Ray's voice when he is "on",.... .

I've read all the previous posts and wondered...has anyone out there actually listened and understood the greatness of the "NO EXIT" release??? No Exit began the Ray Alder era when Jim Metheos was auditioning singers. There are only 6 songs on "NO EXIT", but it rocks harder than any Ray Alder has ever released. The vocals are young, high, powerful, dynamic, and breaching genius levels. "NO EXIT" is the bands last "METAL" album and it is no doubt their heaviest. Something horrible happened to the band after the "NO EXIT" release, and I wish all of their CD's were just like it. I'm not saying the releases following "NO EXIT" don't have their moments but I'm just saying... IMO, the "NO EXIT" release is, by far, the best release Ray Alder has ever done.

 

[raising_iron]

^^^ I disagree, No Exit was a great album, but I still put Parallels above it as far as Ray's performance. As far as the set, the band was amazing to watch, perfectly representing their later material, BUT, no Arch era material is a travesty. It doesn't matter that Ray can't hit the highs, the melodies can be rearranged to sing in an octave lower where the highs are too high for him now. That said, I know Jim unfortunately looks upon the early output with increasing indifference, he really should embrace the roots of the band regardless, there are plenty of us who first discovered FW in the '80's, and their tapes would often find their way into our players as a great change up to all the Slayer/Metallica/Venom we were listening to, those albums were so unique for the time...guess you had to be there...overall, I was disappointed, but still pleased with the performance aspect.

 

[TwizstedJesus]

No Exit truly stands as a masterpiece, but I look at it like this... Fates Warning is not in Atlanta and playing PP 10 without Perfect Symettry, Paralells, Inside Out, APSOG, etc...without the change in style after No Exit, Fates Warning will not be known as a "Progressive" act.

On that subject...I remember the day that No Exit came out. A friend and I stopped at Record Country to pick the new Fates up. I couldn't wait to hear how they were gonna top Awaken The Guardian! We were riding the bus to go to the mall, and we had a boombox with us. I remember hearing the vocals and I said something along the lines of...this guy sucks! Why did they replace Arch with this mexican dude? What a total bummer!!! So after spinning the cassette a few times, I'm sitting in my room trying to replicate the vocals for Silent Cries and Ivory Gate of Dreams,thinking to myself...Ray Alder is God! Even though they gave up on a great one like Arch, they did replace him with one of the best Progressive metal singers of all time.

 

[AirGuitarLoonhouse]

1. Mostly Power < No Exit
2. Power/Prog = No Exit
3. Prog > No Exit

Simple math. It's safe to say those griping about the performance fit #1 and maybe #2. The rest of us were more than happy. Those with an open musical mind (who like 1, 2, 3) were happy with whatever we got. I am one that have been smiling since.

 

[fatesmiles]

I became a fan during the Arch era. For those of you who don't seem to realize, Fates was very progressive during those years, especially with "Awaken the Guardian." AND it is important to note that Jim, according to Glenn H., DID try to get Arch to make an appearance. It just did not happen. So those of you knocking Fates for not playing it, it was not for trying.

I truly only expected Quietus from No Exit. Was beyond pleased (as my brother was...hi Chris) that they playd ALL of IGOD. For the "power" metal people out there who left, you missed quite possibly the heaviest song of the night. It is truly a song that can take you emotionally all over the place with the change of pace during its roughly 20 minute time.

Fates are far and above truly different sounding than any other band, and if others do resemble them its only because of the groundwork Fates set. Amazing musicians. Hope to see them again, as I have seen them since the days (1989 & 1990) when Ray could hit those notes AND did play Arch era stuff. Its not needed anymore. Just keep going and the solo/side projects as well.

And Glenn, thank you for your persistence in asking them practically every year to play. It was very fitting they finished the 10th year anniversary and did it so well.

 

[Pellaz]

I became a fan during the Arch era. For those of you who don't seem to realize, Fates was very progressive during those years, especially with "Awaken the Guardian." AND it is important to note that Jim, according to Glenn H., DID try to get Arch to make an appearance. It just did not happen. So those of you knocking Fates for not playing it, it was not for trying.

I had a feeling there had been something going on 'in the wings,' as it were.

Glenn's a very honest guy and some of us couldn't help but notice that, when a possible appearance by John Arch was mentioned on the Forum, Glenn very carefully did not rule it out. If it had been a flat-out impossibility, he'd have said something to nip the thought in the bud.

It's really cool to see that, indeed, there WERE Forces in Motion that didn't quite pan out.

 

[AirGuitarLoonhouse]

I became a fan during the Arch era. For those of you who don't seem to realize, Fates was very progressive during those years, especially with "Awaken the Guardian." AND it is important to note that Jim, according to Glenn H., DID try to get Arch to make an appearance. It just did not happen. So those of you knocking Fates for not playing it, it was not for trying.

Agreed. I tend to think that a factor in Arch's decision was he did not want to overshadow what the band has been for nearly the past 20 years. Would be nice if it works out someday somehow. I just believe those that are so upset that the Arch era was left untouched are more into power, which is fine as everyone has their own tastes. I just think we should all appreciate what we got.