Joey Vera/Bobby Jarzombek... one of the best rhythm-sections in all of metal... and Jim Matheos' abilities as a guitarist is only rivalled by his talents as a composer. 👍
I'm so glad you got around to one of my all time favorite bands! Please go back in time to at least the No exit album...the whole side 2 is one song with many movements Or even further back to when John Arch was vocals - Apparition or Exodus is a great place to start! You are the man!
@@jmpsthrufyre "Awaken the Guardian" is one of the greatest pieces of music and vocals of the 20th Century. I somehow STILL hear passages on that album that I haven't heard before, even after 30+ years of listening to it.
Small world, was listening to this CD in the car on my way to work. Great review, and amazing musical memory. I wish I could retain even 5% as much as you do on a first listen, remarkable ability.
Finally! Someone takes time to listen to FW and react to it. And a fine job you do. I appreciate the theory and music appreciation factors. Been a fan of FW since I first heard Silent Cries off of the No Exit album. Want a good epic song to listen too? Do The Ivory Gate or Dreams! Awesome
Ok, you have my attention. I'm really dig your analysis and reaction plus I'm a long time Fates Warning fan. Please do more Fates! I would love to see your reaction to Still Remains.
Lyrics: it seems to me that there were some references to some of the previous records: "A Pleasant Shade of Grey," "Darkness in a Different Light," "Theories of Flight" and this one, "Long Day, Good Night" - the most recent three all rhyme: Light, Flight, Night. For me, the longest shadow of the day comes right before darkness falls, aka the end of the band. The song moves from light, then dives into flight, and finishes with night. That's my .25 analysis.
That would be amazing if that was their intention. It's amazing regardless, but it'd be even cooler if it were intentional. Especially since, as you said elsewhere, this is the penultimate track on their final album. This is the longest shadow before night, with the final song being the true night. Wild stuff!
Uhhh... I read about this issue in the comments under 'Monuments' and your inference gives me goosebumps 😮 that would perfectly fit (unfortunately!!!, since it means there won't be more FW stuff!).
@@CriticalReactions the last song on the album is "The Last Song", and definitely has a feeling of reference to the band and the singer's journey, having replaced the original singer in the late 80's. Especially the lines "Looking back upon the years, I never dreamt that fate would show its hand and a life spent walking down the only road I've ever known". He wrote and recorded his lyrics in Spain, where he lives, during lockdown. You weren't even allowed to come and go to work, but you could move. So he got a moving truck, took a mattress and moved into the studio for a couple of weeks, sleeping in the vocal booth. This band has been in my life since their first album was released in 1984. I will be sad if this is truly the last album. btw, the album features a few guests: Gavin Harrison plays drums on the track "When Snow Falls", and Raphael Weinroth-Browne, the cellist who tours with Leprous, appears on the track "Under the Sun"
@@paulfromjupiter It was also either prophetic or "known" that this would be the LAST album by FW :(. I'm still not over it as they were my FAVE Prog Metal band.
When I mentioned yesterday I would've introduced you to FW via a song from a recent album, I had no idea such a thing was coming the next day! In any case, it's a welcome surprise. I won't repeat my FW intro I offered yesterday, but I will say this song is representative of the high quality of music on their last three albums with this lineup. I'm not sure this is the best song on their last album--I think it has some phenomenal highs, especially the opening and solo sections; but its transitions are rough and I agree the vocal melodies are sub-par, which is strange given vocal melodies are typically a strong-suit of FW--but it's definitely one of the best. I think The Destination Onward and The Way Home are just as good, and better in some respects; not to mention all of the solid, more "traditional" songs/tracks like Scars (a really good choice for their lead single!) and Shuttered World. FW lineups have definitely changed over time. The only consistent member has been guitarist and principle songwriter Jim Matheos. Vocalist Ray Alder joined on their fourth album and is the second-longest tenured member. Current basis Joy Vera joined on '97s A Pleasant Shade of Gray (perhaps their best album), and current drummer Bobby Jarzombek joined for their last three albums. They had some other long-tenured members throughout their career as well. The cool thing is that I think with each member change the band has actually gotten better, which is a real rarity among rock/metal bands! I think Alder was a better vocalist than John Arch (though Matheos and Arch have actually reunited for a pair of killer albums themselves recently), that Vera is the best bassist they've had, and that Jarzombek has elevated the band to a new level. The only real "loss" I think they had was when Kevin Moore (who was Dream Theater's original keyboardist and had a huge impact on their original sound/style) left: he was with FW on three of their best albums, and he and Matheos have another band called OSI with drummer Mike Portnoy (later Gavin Harrison). Also, this is indeed prog metal rather than hard/prog rock. FW were, as I said yesterday, one of the OG prog metal bands along with Queensryche and even Iron Maiden (if we count Somewhere in Time and Seventh Son of a Seventh Son).
The whole prog rock/metal thing to me is confusing but I probably just need more familiarity with them. To me, prog metal is more the modern stuff, your BTBAM. Prog Rock anything lighter than that. Thanks for all the FW info though. It's interesting that they've changed members so much but have retained the same core sound. Bands can often drastically change their sound with just one new member
@@CriticalReactions It's only confusing because you haven't traced the lineages of both. It helps to recognize that early prog metal was an extension of classic metal like Maiden and Priest, but simply featured more ambitious compositions, playing, and conceptual elements (there's not a ton that separates a band like Queensryche from Maiden and Priest musically apart from their theatrical ambitions: "thinking man's metal" it was initially called). Modern/contemporary metal cranked up the distortion/heaviness, put more emphasis on complex rhythms, and minimized (or eliminated) vocal/guitar melodies. It's just all part of the genre's evolution, with FW being more of the old-school style. Prog rock, by contrast, is rooted more in the Yes, King Crimson, Genesis, etc. side of things. There is some overlap between prog rock and prog metal as the genres got repeatedly hybridized. As for FW's "retaining a core sound," I actually think their core sound has changed a lot of over the years, they've just been consistently excellent at whatever sound they were going for from era to era. If you checked out some of their 80s work, especially No Exit, you'd even see a pronounced thrash/Metallica influence. I think they've always stayed in the "prog metal" lane, but have experimented with a lot of different flavorings of prog metal.
The drummer in Fates Warning since 2007 has been Bobby Jarzombek. He's played with Riot, Sebastian Bach, the Halford band, Zierler, and others, but his current gig is with country music legend George Strait, if you can believe that. He's also done a lot of crazy prog metal stuff with his brother, Watchtower guitarist Ron Jarzombek.
Fates Warning sounds different on each album, sometimes so much that they don't even sound like the same band (ie- somehow, and tough to believe, "The Sorceress"(1986), "Anarchy Divine"(1988), "At Fates Hands"(1989), & "Eye to Eye"(1991) are all the same band, albeit with some different members, and probably represent the creative peak of the band) Their output since has had their share of peaks and valleys, but their dedication to their craft is truly unmatched. I'm trying to think of another band who consistently put out music for over 35 years, and yet, nobody has ever heard of them. A sad tragedy of the industry, itself, sad to say.
Its great to see FW fans with the same passion. Hopefully Bryan has seen this comment and checks out *OSI, Redemption, A-Z* and their sister band *Arch/Matheos* :).
@@CriticalReactions AMEN! Been a fan since "No Exit", then went into their 3 previous albums (with the original vocalist John Arch), into the future. Seen them only 4 times unfortunately and missed all the tours after Pleasant Shade of Gray. Makes it sadder that Jim Matheos put a cap in the band almost a year ago :(. They never got the attention they deserved. You'll need to hear their sister band with the original vocalist; "Arch/Matheos". But this track introduced a different style, even within their unique sound of Prog Metal (which they are the co-Fathers of with Queensrÿche). A few months ago I put this in a themed playlist, and listening to it in the dark on headphones, I didn't recognize that it was FW until I heard Ray Alder singing . . . . Most of their catalogue changes its sound every other album. Maybe that's why they were not as popular as other bands, because they were not afraid to experiment.
Progressive Metal not Hard Rock... Fates Warning has always been Metal... It really dosen't matter but it kind of does (Labeling sucks but it has a place)... Cool reaction 🤘 Have you heard Jazz Fusion bands like Mahavishnu Orchestra (Inner Mounting Flame)
@@CriticalReactions Hey Bryan! If you want to hear some mind blowing fusion, check out Return to forever - The Sorceress...or anything from The Romantic Knight album!
@@chrisdepp7665 Hehe . . . and for a mash of Fusion and Progressive Rock . . . *UK* (their debut with Bill Bruford, John Wetton, Eddie Jobson & Allan Holdsworth).
Such an underrated band.
Joey Vera/Bobby Jarzombek... one of the best rhythm-sections in all of metal... and Jim Matheos' abilities as a guitarist is only rivalled by his talents as a composer. 👍
The Light And Shade Of Things is another must from Fates!
Probably my favorite track on that album.
The bass player for Fates Warning since 1997 has been Joey Vera, most well-known for his work in Armored Saint. He's a super versatile player.
hes actually still in Armored Saint at the same time. And I think he may be in a third band
He’s in Armored Saint, Motor Sister, and touring with Mercyful Fate this summer.
I'm so glad you got around to one of my all time favorite bands! Please go back in time to at least the No exit album...the whole side 2 is one song with many movements Or even further back to when John Arch was vocals - Apparition or Exodus is a great place to start! You are the man!
Awaken still amazes me.
Every song
@@jmpsthrufyre probably my favorite album of all time
@@jmpsthrufyre "Awaken the Guardian" is one of the greatest pieces of music and vocals of the 20th Century. I somehow STILL hear passages on that album that I haven't heard before, even after 30+ years of listening to it.
This is the epic that I've been waiting for years for the band to release. Amazing!
Small world, was listening to this CD in the car on my way to work. Great review, and amazing musical memory. I wish I could retain even 5% as much as you do on a first listen, remarkable ability.
Finally! Someone takes time to listen to FW and react to it. And a fine job you do. I appreciate the theory and music appreciation factors. Been a fan of FW since I first heard Silent Cries off of the No Exit album. Want a good epic song to listen too? Do The Ivory Gate or Dreams! Awesome
HAHA Same. Saw the video on Headbanger's Ball and bought the record at Tower Records, in Bellevue, Wa. the next day. Favorite band since then.
This kid isn't ready for The Ivory Gate of Dreams. ;)
You should check out The Ivory Gates Of Dreams. A 21 minute epic that I think you would enjoy.
Joey Vera is a very musical bass player and a great musician all-around.
Ok, you have my attention. I'm really dig your analysis and reaction plus I'm a long time Fates Warning fan.
Please do more Fates!
I would love to see your reaction to Still Remains.
Lyrics: it seems to me that there were some references to some of the previous records: "A Pleasant Shade of Grey," "Darkness in a Different Light," "Theories of Flight" and this one, "Long Day, Good Night" - the most recent three all rhyme: Light, Flight, Night. For me, the longest shadow of the day comes right before darkness falls, aka the end of the band. The song moves from light, then dives into flight, and finishes with night. That's my .25 analysis.
That would be amazing if that was their intention. It's amazing regardless, but it'd be even cooler if it were intentional. Especially since, as you said elsewhere, this is the penultimate track on their final album. This is the longest shadow before night, with the final song being the true night. Wild stuff!
Uhhh... I read about this issue in the comments under 'Monuments' and your inference gives me goosebumps 😮 that would perfectly fit (unfortunately!!!, since it means there won't be more FW stuff!).
@@CriticalReactions the last song on the album is "The Last Song", and definitely has a feeling of reference to the band and the singer's journey, having replaced the original singer in the late 80's. Especially the lines "Looking back upon the years, I never dreamt that fate would show its hand and a life spent walking down the only road I've ever known". He wrote and recorded his lyrics in Spain, where he lives, during lockdown. You weren't even allowed to come and go to work, but you could move. So he got a moving truck, took a mattress and moved into the studio for a couple of weeks, sleeping in the vocal booth.
This band has been in my life since their first album was released in 1984. I will be sad if this is truly the last album.
btw, the album features a few guests: Gavin Harrison plays drums on the track "When Snow Falls", and Raphael Weinroth-Browne, the cellist who tours with Leprous, appears on the track "Under the Sun"
@@paulfromjupiter It was also either prophetic or "known" that this would be the LAST album by FW :(. I'm still not over it as they were my FAVE Prog Metal band.
Ahhhh fates warning .. haven’t heard them in years . Definitely gotta revisit
When I mentioned yesterday I would've introduced you to FW via a song from a recent album, I had no idea such a thing was coming the next day! In any case, it's a welcome surprise. I won't repeat my FW intro I offered yesterday, but I will say this song is representative of the high quality of music on their last three albums with this lineup. I'm not sure this is the best song on their last album--I think it has some phenomenal highs, especially the opening and solo sections; but its transitions are rough and I agree the vocal melodies are sub-par, which is strange given vocal melodies are typically a strong-suit of FW--but it's definitely one of the best. I think The Destination Onward and The Way Home are just as good, and better in some respects; not to mention all of the solid, more "traditional" songs/tracks like Scars (a really good choice for their lead single!) and Shuttered World.
FW lineups have definitely changed over time. The only consistent member has been guitarist and principle songwriter Jim Matheos. Vocalist Ray Alder joined on their fourth album and is the second-longest tenured member. Current basis Joy Vera joined on '97s A Pleasant Shade of Gray (perhaps their best album), and current drummer Bobby Jarzombek joined for their last three albums. They had some other long-tenured members throughout their career as well. The cool thing is that I think with each member change the band has actually gotten better, which is a real rarity among rock/metal bands! I think Alder was a better vocalist than John Arch (though Matheos and Arch have actually reunited for a pair of killer albums themselves recently), that Vera is the best bassist they've had, and that Jarzombek has elevated the band to a new level. The only real "loss" I think they had was when Kevin Moore (who was Dream Theater's original keyboardist and had a huge impact on their original sound/style) left: he was with FW on three of their best albums, and he and Matheos have another band called OSI with drummer Mike Portnoy (later Gavin Harrison).
Also, this is indeed prog metal rather than hard/prog rock. FW were, as I said yesterday, one of the OG prog metal bands along with Queensryche and even Iron Maiden (if we count Somewhere in Time and Seventh Son of a Seventh Son).
The whole prog rock/metal thing to me is confusing but I probably just need more familiarity with them. To me, prog metal is more the modern stuff, your BTBAM. Prog Rock anything lighter than that.
Thanks for all the FW info though. It's interesting that they've changed members so much but have retained the same core sound. Bands can often drastically change their sound with just one new member
@@CriticalReactions It's only confusing because you haven't traced the lineages of both. It helps to recognize that early prog metal was an extension of classic metal like Maiden and Priest, but simply featured more ambitious compositions, playing, and conceptual elements (there's not a ton that separates a band like Queensryche from Maiden and Priest musically apart from their theatrical ambitions: "thinking man's metal" it was initially called). Modern/contemporary metal cranked up the distortion/heaviness, put more emphasis on complex rhythms, and minimized (or eliminated) vocal/guitar melodies. It's just all part of the genre's evolution, with FW being more of the old-school style. Prog rock, by contrast, is rooted more in the Yes, King Crimson, Genesis, etc. side of things. There is some overlap between prog rock and prog metal as the genres got repeatedly hybridized.
As for FW's "retaining a core sound," I actually think their core sound has changed a lot of over the years, they've just been consistently excellent at whatever sound they were going for from era to era. If you checked out some of their 80s work, especially No Exit, you'd even see a pronounced thrash/Metallica influence. I think they've always stayed in the "prog metal" lane, but have experimented with a lot of different flavorings of prog metal.
The drummer in Fates Warning since 2007 has been Bobby Jarzombek. He's played with Riot, Sebastian Bach, the Halford band, Zierler, and others, but his current gig is with country music legend George Strait, if you can believe that. He's also done a lot of crazy prog metal stuff with his brother, Watchtower guitarist Ron Jarzombek.
Fates Warning sounds different on each album, sometimes so much that they don't even sound like the same band (ie- somehow, and tough to believe, "The Sorceress"(1986), "Anarchy Divine"(1988), "At Fates Hands"(1989), & "Eye to Eye"(1991) are all the same band, albeit with some different members, and probably represent the creative peak of the band)
Their output since has had their share of peaks and valleys, but their dedication to their craft is truly unmatched. I'm trying to think of another band who consistently put out music for over 35 years, and yet, nobody has ever heard of them. A sad tragedy of the industry, itself, sad to say.
Its great to see FW fans with the same passion. Hopefully Bryan has seen this comment and checks out *OSI, Redemption, A-Z* and their sister band *Arch/Matheos* :).
There is no exit to Fates Warning 👌🤘This is by far the best stuff I heard in years from them 👌🤔I dropped off on Perfect S....
FATES R GODS
So good!🤟🏻
Great band
What???
This sounds almost Death metal(adout instrumental parts
WHAT????? I listened to the freaking Barbie song on 4-20. ??????? I'm so stupid.
WELCOME TO THE PARTY 3O YEARS TOO LATE !!!
It's never too late to enjoy good art :)
@@CriticalReactions AMEN! Been a fan since "No Exit", then went into their 3 previous albums (with the original vocalist John Arch), into the future.
Seen them only 4 times unfortunately and missed all the tours after Pleasant Shade of Gray. Makes it sadder that Jim Matheos put a cap in the band almost a year ago :(. They never got the attention they deserved.
You'll need to hear their sister band with the original vocalist; "Arch/Matheos".
But this track introduced a different style, even within their unique sound of Prog Metal (which they are the co-Fathers of with Queensrÿche). A few months ago I put this in a themed playlist, and listening to it in the dark on headphones, I didn't recognize that it was FW until I heard Ray Alder singing . . . . Most of their catalogue changes its sound every other album. Maybe that's why they were not as popular as other bands, because they were not afraid to experiment.
after theories of flight this album has some high points but all in all for me was a let down. and i am a huge fan. i like every album but this one.
Progressive Metal not Hard Rock... Fates Warning has always been Metal... It really dosen't matter but it kind of does (Labeling sucks but it has a place)... Cool reaction 🤘
Have you heard Jazz Fusion bands like Mahavishnu Orchestra (Inner Mounting Flame)
I've seen the name before but I haven't done a reaction to it yet. Definitely a band I'm excited to get to though.
@@CriticalReactions Hey Bryan! If you want to hear some mind blowing fusion, check out Return to forever - The Sorceress...or anything from The Romantic Knight album!
@@chrisdepp7665 Hehe . . . and for a mash of Fusion and Progressive Rock . . . *UK* (their debut with Bill Bruford, John Wetton, Eddie Jobson & Allan Holdsworth).
I do hate the fade out ending however