Conference napalm::heavy_metal

    I recently got the CD of "No Exit" which is the band's latest releaase.
    It contains "Silent Cries" and "Anarchy Devine" which are usually
    on the Headgiver's Ball.  To me, Fates Warning sounds like a mixture
    of Queensryche and Iron Maiden.  It's definitely Heavy Mental. 
    They mix a lot of acoustic stuff with syncopated metal riffs.  And
    to the best of my knowledge, none of the lyrics contain the word
    "baby".  This sort of thing matters to me !
    
    
    				Scary

    Sounds good.  Know anything (al la History) about the band ?
         
    -Tony

    I believe they have 2 prior releases but I haven't heard any of
    it.  I plan to go grab one of them this weekend, I'll let ya know.
    
    
    
    				Scary

    
    	Silent cries is an excellent tune.  I think this is the first
    album with a new singer.
    
    Bk
    

    Yeah, dig it !  Jerry turned me onto a copy.  I love it !
    
    Sounds like a head-on collision between Metallica and Queensr�che...At
    600mph...

    In fact, Jerry beat me to this topic.  If you like Maiden, Metallica,
    and/or Queensr�che, then No Exit is a must.
   
    Imagine Metallica with Geoff Tate on Vocals ?  Yepper !
    
    jc 

    My highest recommendations...
    
    And I hardly ever make mistooks...
    
    ;^)

    I got the "AWAKEN THE GUARDIAN" and "NO EXIT" the first one
    wasn't really good as the "NO EXIT"but the song (Prelude to ruin)
    really kick a**.I've seen them once last year when they were
    backing up for Flotsam&Jetsam,but they really took control of
    the show.I'm looking forward to see them again.
        Thien
    

    Thanx for the warning, I was gonna buy "Awaken The Guardian" in
    the morning.  I think I'll just listen to "No Exit" a couple thousand
    more times !  
    
    
    
    				Scary

    I heard a new tune from the new album "Perfect Symetry" on the Head
    ___er's Ball this weekend .... very good !  I'll post a review tonight
    when I come in, 'cuz I'm gonna search high and low today until I
    find it !
    
    
    
    					Scary
    

Copied without permission from Metal Forces

FATES WARNING - Perfect symmetry		(Excellent)

Greeting you on first glance is the strking cover artwork of Hugh Syme, he
of RUSH fame, and it sums up the usual FW touch of class even before the 
record hits the deck.  'Perfect symmetry' the bands fourth album for 
Roadrunner records, has to be the quintets most intricate of musical passages
yet commited to vinyl.  Being seasoned recording artists the band have no 
trouble in taking you throughvarious, sometimes very progressive musical 
directions, and they blow away much of the competition when it comes down to
this particular field of hard rock.  I can still only speculate as to whether
PS will be sufficiently accepted by records buyers, because the band, at
least here in the UK, haven't exactly made a household name for themselves
on previous outings.  That's a pity because Queensryche have already proved
a truly progressive, thoughtful style can be commercialy viable so we can 
only hope that the time has finally come for this bunch too.

Produced by the same team who worked so well on last year's 'No Exit' -
Roger Probert and MAx Norm - there's not much to find fault with.  The sheer
depth of feeling and atmosphere emitted from numbers like 'A World Apart',
'At Fates Hands' r 'Chasing Time', the last one complete with violin 
accompaniment, should in a fair world, be more than enough to justify success.

PS is about as close to the difinitive Fates Warning album as I think we'll
ever get, fulfilling everything they hinted at in the past.  Some people
may find them a little too deep, at times even pretentious, and it's not
always the easiest of listening, but it most certainly is a sterling 
contribution to the field of hard rock.

Flip

    Add 1 more to the old CD collection !!!
    
    
    
    
    					Scary

    No Exit reminded me a lot of Queensryche.  I think that other QR fans
    would appreciate it as well.
    
    gh

    Definitely Heavy Mental ....

    
    	I like No Exit....but it's not as good as QR.  One thing that
    bothers me about NE is the repetition of riffs....  I know it's
    suppoed to be a several part song but..it kind of gets annoying after
    a while.
    
    BK
    

    
    Don't try to flatter Fates Warning, they're not bad, but they don't
    come anywhere close to Queensryche.  It's a sin to even compare
    the two!
    
    Mr. Ed
    

    Guess I'm a sinner then ... and you're right in 1 respect - they
    don't compare .... QR couldn't compete with Fates Warning when it
    comes to technical acrobatics !  But then they don't need too, they
    have a different niche, which they fill to the max !  They are similar,
    but not the same, OK ?  Sheesh ......   8^)
    
    
    				Scary
     

    I'm with Scary!  I wasn't comparing the two bands, just saying that
    they have similar styles (which I still maintain).  Music is NOT A
    COMPETITION!!!  I like 'em both, if you don't that's fine, but don't
    blast me 'cause I do.
    
    I get so bloody sick and tired of hearing "so-and-so is better then
    so-and-so", or "player x is a better player because he plays faster
    then player y". 
      
    gh

    
    Whoa Dude!
    
    I wasn't blastin' ya!  I wasn't flamin' ya!  I was mearly stating
    MY opinion.  Thats all!  
    
    Yes their styles are alot alike, but it is MY opinion that the two
    can't be compared, as I am a Big Queensryche fan.  Fates Warning
    is alright and I like them, but that is it.
    
    Sorry about the unintended blast!
    
    Whats wrong with everyone this morning?  Would everyone go take
    10 minutes, get a coffee or whatever and kick back and relax.  Everyone
    seems to be a little edgy today.
    
    Mr. Ed
    
    
    

    Well, looking back, my reply was a little strong.  Too much cold, snow,
    clouds, and work.
    
    gh

    Send me some of that snow !      8^)
    
    
    
    
    				Scary

    Hello,
    Last saturday I bought "Perfect symetry" on CD. At first listening I
    decided it was fine, at second listening very fine and at third
    listening (with headphones because wife not likeing singer and volume)
    they were VERY VERY FINE. It remembers Queensryche but also Rush for
    the instrumental part. After I listened Queensryche's Rage for Order.
    Fates Warning have their own strong personality even if they are less
    immediate and sophisticated than QR. The singer has also a wide range
    and a voice that recalls Geoff Tate (I still think Geoff has a better
    control of his voice range).
    FW are a great group and I'll look for "No Exit". Technically they are
    really apart (very progressive also I could say).
    Regards,
    Sorin

    AGREED !  Scary's gonna let me borrow the CD, but I think I might
    buy it instead.  I saw a vid of it on HBB Friday night.  Twas the
    Gnads !
    
    jc

    This CD is more tasteful than "No Exit".  It's mellower in a lot
    of spots, and the timing isn't quite as syncopated.  And YES, it
    truly burns via headphones !  Yo Coop, ya gimme a tape, I'll fix
    ya up - sorry but the CD's gotta stay close to the hut right now.
    BTW - I bought mine in the used section for $8.  Somebody was a
    fool ...
    
    
    				
    				Scary
    
    
    

    Hi again,
    Well "Perfect symmetry" just grows on me at each new listening since
    last note. I think instrumentally they are really fantastic and come
    closer to jazz-rock techniques. FW should maybe explore the way to
    creating "heavy jazz-rock", who knows ? In any case it's a music you
    attach to by discovering new details each time.
    Sorin

    I noticed that they use violin a lot in this CD, to the point where
    a couple of cuts sound VERY much like old Kansas, which IMO, was
    a band many years before their time ...
    
    
    
    
    				Scary

    
    There should be a new FW release within the next few weeks.
    
    Flip

Awesome !!   I love PS !!

jc

    You're welcome ...  8^)
    
    Scary (enlightening the masses ...)

Thank you...

jc (sheepishly forgetting to acknowledge that Scary turned him onto FW!)

	Their new vid. was on HBB this past weekend.  I thought it was
	good.  The lead singer's got a great voice.  It just what I've
	been looking for.  Like back a few replies, Metallica with 
	Geoff Tate singing sound cool.   I thought it was very good.

	Then I bought it...
  
	Their new release is now in stores and the name of it is 
	Parrell (sp?).  I got it today, but I have only listened to 
	the first two songs.   The verdict is that it is okay.  Not
	quite what I expected.  The song on HBB was heavier, but then
	again I have only heard two songs since I have bought the tape
	(and each only once), so it might be a bit too soon.  Has 
	anyone else gotten it yet?  What do ya think?

						-Seth

    I highly suggest getting the first 2 albums ... `No Exit' and
    `Persistence Of Time'.  They're very rich ... right 'pril ?  8^)
    
    Scare'

>    I highly suggest getting the first 2 albums ... `No Exit' and
>    `Persistence Of Time'.  They're very rich ... right 'pril ?  8^)

	Yeah I read what you guys said about 'No Exit' and I looked
	for it, but the music store didn't have it.  I will keep
	looking though..  Thanks.. 


						-Seth

	Strawberries is always out of everything...  8)

    
    Wait a sec, Persistance of Time?  That's Anthrax...  I personally
    recommend Awaken the Guardian.
    
    

    Duh ... `Perfect Symmetry' is what I meant.  Never heard of `ATG' .. ?
    
    Scary

    No Exit I think is their best album.  I just got Parallels.... which is 
    very good I think also.... if you like their type of metal.  It sounds
    a lot like perfect Symmetry.  BTW anybody notice that the old guy on
    the cover of Perfect Symmetry is the same old guy in the Enter Sandman
    video!!!  He's also on the cover of Parallels.   
    
    Fates Warning have three other albums with a previous singer....
    
    Awaken the Guardian is one of them, and I can't remember the names of
    the other two.  These albums are MUCH heavier, but still a very strange
    style.... very "intellectual" sounding I guess you could say. 
    
    |KS|
    

    right-O Scary!
    
    'pril (have dub, will travel!)

	Well I found 'No Exit' today, and I have listened to the first
	two songs.  It is much heavier than Parallels (No I can not 
	spell this word okay... 8).  I have also listened to Pare..
	no no Parra..no no Ah whatever.  all the way through.  It is
	good, but I think 'No Exit' seems better.  The video that
	I saw on HBB was for 'Point of View' (which is a cool song).

	If anyone gets Parallels(sp?) don't give up on the song '11th Hour'
	It starts off slow and kinda annoying, but get heavy and really
	rocks...

					-Seth/HMBP-RF-TOSA!!!!!!

	BTW those are just MY opinions.

    One of the other Fates Warning albums I couldn't remember yesterday is
    called "The Spectre Within".  The other is their first album, and it
    might be called just "Fates Warning"....  Not sure...
    
    |KS|

	I just heard a sad rummor....


	Fates Warning has broken up...


						-Seth

    
    That sucks!   Why did they break up?
    

    
    
    nooooooo!!!!!!
    

    NO, they can't have broken up, they just announced they will be here
    in Denver sometime next month....?   (announced it at the Extreme show)
    

	Well the rummor (And it is a rummor I am not saying it is law,
	but it does seem to be believed by many people) is that
	Fates Warning are breaking up because they are tired of doing
	hard work and not having any success....  The rummor is
	that they point out Queensryche and DT as people who do
	the same type of thing and have 'made it'.  While they feel
	they have not...


	I hope it is not true, they are an excellent band.... 8(


						-Seth

    Bummer! I just picked up "Parallels", I was psyched to get into a
    new band late. Maybe the rumor will remain that way, I hope?
    
                                               Spaceknight
    

    ATTN -- Fates Warning have NOT broken up!!  See the Mike Portnoy
    of Dream Theater interview (542.414) for info on this...

>    ATTN -- Fates Warning have NOT broken up!!  See the Mike Portnoy
>    of Dream Theater interview (542.414) for info on this...
	Yeah, I read it!!!   GREAT!!!!

	For you Fates Warning/Progressive fans

	Release on June 1 Jim Matheos solo album, he is the guitarist
	for Fates Warning, I have not heard it yet, so I don't know
	how good it is.....


							-Seth

    I BOUGHT IT,if you like soft acoustic guitar, you'll like it if you
    want metal giutar riffs you'll hate it. The cd is called FIRST
    IMPRESSIONS. NOTHING BUT BALLADS. HELL I LIKE IT. But i like fates
    warning to much any way.  first heard then when SPECTER WITHIN came out
    instantly hooked.
    
    

	I picked it up a while back too, it is pretty good Marty
	Friedmans 'Scenes' is much better in my opinion.  Jim's
	almost puts me to sleep at times. ;)


							-Seth

    
         What ever happened to this band?  They did "Parallels"
    some time ago and that was it as far as I know.  I thought
    the production on this CD was soooo good.  The guitars 
    especially, had a nice sound running through.  Are these
    guys still around??
    
    Kev --
    

    
    im told their new album is due out this week.  well, an album i've
    never heard of or the person with the release date :').  we THINK it's
    new...
    
    

    
    RE .52:
    
         Cool!!! Like I said,  I like their tunes as well as
    the touch of technical proficiency they install into
    their music.  Has anyone seen them live?
    
    Kev --
    

    
    
         If you like them, check out No Exit. I think this album blows
    Parallels away.JMHO
    
                             Jeff(who thinks the guitar rips!)
    

    
         Yeah, No Exit is the finest!!!  I love the 28 minute
    hitch of tunes on side 2.  I haven't jammed on "Silent Cries"
    (my personal favorite) in a while.  Looks like now is a good
    a time as ever.
    
    Kev (who knows the guitar rips!)--
    

    
    	Fates Warning played in a local bowling alley bar for three nights
    this past spring here in CT. (Bristol Ten Pin) 
    
    Great Show!
    
    John

    re: -1
    
    John, you didn't happen to live in Simsbury CT about 15 years ago did
    you?  There was someone named Ziomek on my street and it's not a very
    popular name!
    
    |KS|
    

    
    RE: .56
    
          John, if you hear about any future Fates Warning
    gigs, pleeeeeeeeze post it here. 
    
    Thanks,
    Kev --
    

    
    what?!?!?!?!?  WTF!!!!!  nobody announced FW gigs that were a mere 90
    minute drive?!?!?!?!?  sonofabitch......
    
    

    re:> .56 
    
    	Nope didn't know anyone from simsbury with my last name.....
    
    re:>  last few ...
    
    	I'll post anything I hear of! Hopefully next time it will be at 
    the Sting or something.
    
    John

    
         Behold!  The new Fates Warning CD is out.  Entitled
    "Inside Out," this one features more dreamy lyrics and more
    scant, supressed instrumental work in the tradition of
    "Parallels."  The recording is excellent; crisp, clear, and
    dynamic.
    
         The songs:
    
         Outside Looking In          Down To The Wire
         Pale Fire                   Face The Fear
         The Strand                  Inward Bound
         Shelter Me                  Monument
         Island In The Stream        Afterglow
    
         The scoop:  well, it's been no suprise that Fates 
    Warning have slid down a spiraling path of mellowness 
    since the release of the superb "No Exit," this new one
    being no different.  While it may not be the Heavy Metal
    masterpiece that I am always in a quest for (and I KNOW
    this band is capable of doing such!), it makes for some
    fine "moodal" listening.  The songs are good, in structure,
    inventiveness, and performance, yet lacking in the technical
    ingenuity that made earlier Fates Warning outings always
    appealing.
         I'm still waiting on concert/tour information.  I did
    notice "Thanks to our friends in Dream Theater" inscribed
    in the liner notes.  Sounds like an excellent connection here.
    We'll see.
    
    Enjoy,
    Kev --
    

    
    
    yeah, this one was definately much less progressive than parallels and
    much mellower as well.  had some cool riffs here and there (which were
    copied directly from parallels) and the vocal lines were pretty much
    the same.  i found it boring.
    

    I'm there.  FW is too cool!
    

    
    My appologies if this info has already been posted here, but I heard a
    rumour that Fate's Warning is supposed to be playing in Providence
    soon.
    
    Can anybody confirm this?  Any specifics?  Date? Time? Place? Tickets
    on sale in advance or GA at door?
    
    Thanks in advance for any help!
    
    /jen
    

    
    RE: -1
    
    EXCELLENT!  
    

    >My appologies if this info has already been posted here, but I heard a
    >rumour that Fate's Warning is supposed to be playing in Providence
    >soon.
    >
    >Can anybody confirm this?  Any specifics?  Date? Time? Place? Tickets
    >on sale in advance or GA at door?
    
    Indeed -- Fates Warning are coming to RI...
    
    Show is Nov. 3rd at Club Babyhead.  Tics on sale now, but suspect they
    will be available at the door (I'd get them in advance...CB is not that
    large a place!).  You can buy tics for CB shows at most Strawberries. 

    
    Buck:
    
         Could you supple some directions to this joint?
    What's this place like?  Is FW coming closer to home, 
    say in or around the Hub?  Any and all info here is
    EXTREMELY appreciated!!!
    
    Thanks,
    Kev --
    (A most major Fates Warning fan!!!)
    

    
    That's "supply" in -1, not "supple" :')
    

    >     Could you supple some directions to this joint?
    
    Directions to Club Babyhead:          
         
    - Route 495 South to I-95 South.
    - Take Exit 22 off I-95 and stay left, bearing LEFT at the fork to go 
      into downtown Providence (right will head you towards CT). 
    - Get over into the far right lane to take a RIGHT hand turn at the 
      FIRST light.  Note -- while taking the right hand turn, get into the 
      LEFT lane to take a LEFT at the next traffic light, which is _only_ 
      about 100 feet away! 
    - Take the left and then you'll come to a fork in the road with an Avis 
      car rental place in the middle of it.  Bear LEFT at the Avis place and 
      go straight thru about five sets of lights, basically following the road
      to the end, and then taking a right on Clifford Street.  
    - This street comes out on Richmond Ave -- take a RIGHT and Babyhead is
      just past Periwinkles on your LEFT. 
    - Take your first right off Richmond just after Periwinkles/before 
      Babyhead for best parking options.
    
                                    
    >What's this place like?  
    
    Small and intimate.  Saw DT there last year...great show!
    
    
    >Is FW coming closer to home, say in or around the Hub? 
    
    No current plans.  Kevin (and others) -- just bite the bullet and go
    to the Providence show, otherwise you may be out in the cold for seeing
    FW.  I went to The Strand, which is just down the street) last night,
    and it only took me about 45 minutes to drive there from Marlboro, MA.
    Route 495 to 95 south -- no biggie!!!

    THANK YOU Buck for the speedy and detailed reply.
    Sounds like even me, with the worst sense of
    direction in the world, can make it easily.  I'm
    headin to Strawberries tonight to hopefully score
    a couple tickets.
    
    Thanks again,
    Kev --
    

    
    Thank you very much for the info, Buck!
    
    /jen
    
    P.S. Kev, Honest Providence isn't the other end of the world!  I drive
    it all the time (but then again, I drive 930 miles on a weekend to ride
    a few roller coasters! :)  )
    
    But seriously, give Providence a try.  They have some nice clubs and
    are getting some much better acts.  They don't charge a fortune and you
    can find parking...unlike Boston!
    
    

    
    RE: /jen
    
    Oh, believe me, unless something utterly immense
    comes up, I'll be at that Fates Warning show.  
    
    I've been dying to see these guys for a LONG time!
    
    Regards,
    Kev -- :')
    

    
    Yesterday, on my usual beer run to Leominster, I
    ran into Strawberries for some Fates Warning tickets.
    Quite a deal at $5 a ticket!
    
    Thanks once again to those in this conference who
    provided the insight on this show as I would most likely
    have missed it otherwise!
    
    BTW, what's the deal with this place?  I heard it's
    like someone's cellar?!?  How LOUD is the sound system?!?
    
    Later,
    Kev --
    

    
    	They run the board through the auxiliary inputs of a Sony boom-
    	box.
    
    	8^)
    
    							GTI
    

    
    BTW, it's a November 2nd show, not the 3rd.
    
    
    Kev --
    

    
    And we're looking forward to it too!
    
    /jen
    

    
    Just a few more hours till the show! :)
    
    /jen
    

    
         Well, the Fates Warning show was last night.  It
    was certainly cool to see this band (a definite favorite
    of mine) up close in a small club setting.  However, 
    I thought the sound was a bit gross-VERY loud with a
    more-than-occasional burst of feedback.  My biggest
    complaint about last night was the fact that I didn't
    hear nada off the "No Exit" disc.  (Although I did leave
    a bit before the set was done; perhaps some of the other
    noters in attendance could confirm this with what I missed)
         In support of their new effort, "Inside Out," FW
    tuched heavily off this one, covering all but like one or
    two songs.  They also did the majority of the "Parallels"
    disc, and to my knowledge, one off the "Perfect Symetry"
    CD.  
         I was suprised to see Frank Aresti, guitars, (the
    very skinny-looking individual), taking all but one of the
    solos on the tracks off "Inside Out" that were played last
    night.
         All-star award:  Mark Zonder, drummer.  Holy s-%t, this 
    dude can jam!!  I was amazed at this man's accuracy and
    embellishments:  very impressive, but certainly not excessive.
         All in all, a very good show.  Hot spots:  "Monument,"
    "Outside Looking In," "Life in Still Water," and the croud-
    singing melody in "The Eleventh Hour."  Very cool.  Fates
    Warning will begin a tour in support of Dream Theater (I knew
    it!!!) next week starting out in St. Louis.  Unfortunately, 
    they ain't doing it 'round here.
         Well what did everyone else think?  Buck? /jen?  Anyone
    have a righteous sample of Babyhead's Hard Cider on tap!!!!?
    
    Later,
    Kev --
    
    

    I just read all the replies in this string...from what I can gather,
    Fates Warning have 6 albums out??  They appear to be:
    
    1) The Spectre Within	4) Perfect Symmetry
    2) Awaken the Guardian	5) Parallels
    3) No Exit                  6) Inside Out
    
    
    Can anyone confirm/deny this discography??  I'd like to pick up some
    of the older albums.
    
    
    As far as last night's show went...
    
    I only have Parallels, so I didn't know much of the material.  I must
    say, it all pretty much sounded the same ... droning minor chord
    sequences in odd time signatures with Ray's over-emoted Tate/Dickenson
    vocals.
    
    The monitors must have really sucked, becuase Ray was VERY flat on most
    of his vocal lines.  The monitors and mains were also feeding back like 
    nobody's business.
    
    FW is *ok* as a band ... but I like Dream Theater _much_ better.  No,
    I'm not being biased here -- DT's music is progressive as well, but
    their songs change moods (major to minor keys, as well as tempo changes
    and major tonal shifts) as well as time signatures...FW just seem to
    change into odd times.
    
    Buck

    
    Kev--
    
    Just when did you leave?  Were you there for the acoustic set?   I know
    there was at least one song from No Exit and also one from Awaken the 
    Guardian.
    
    Highlights: Fun company and hearing 'Eye to Eye' & 'Eleventh Hour'
    live.
    
    Lowlights: WICKED feedback and the moshing by the two degenerate Beavis
    and Butthead wannabees.
    
    Overall I like the band including all the time shifts.  But seeing as
    I'm a lyric person too, I wish they'd have a tune or two that dealt
    with something other than relationships.    
    
    /jen
    

    RE: -1
    
         Sorry for the delay, I've moved around a bit 
    here in DEC.
         I took off a song after "Monument."  Which one
    did they do off "No Exit?"  "Awaken the Guardian?"
    Maybe I shoulda stayed, but at that point in time
    things were getting fuzzy.
         Sorry I missed ya, I did run into Buck though.
    
    Good show!
    Good to be back!
    Kev --
    

    
    Kev--
    
    Off of "No Exit" it was 'Whispers on the Wind'.
    
    Glad you liked the show! :)
    
    Sorry we didn't get to chat but Buck did point you
    out across the crowd.   Hope you didn't get moshed! :^)
    
    /jen

         I was quite safe and happy with my hard cider.
    Unfortunate we don't live near St. Louis, huh?!?
    
    Kev --
    

    Fates' first album is called "Night On Brocken".
    
    c.

    
    which was just recently rereleased
    

    I think everything done within the John Arch/Victor Arduini
    era sounds like an entirely differnt band compared to the
    present line-up and their recorded output.
    
    >  which was just recently rereleased
    
    Interesting.
    
    Kev --
    

    
    Kevin Moore (-ex DT) played on the track "At Fates Hands" off
    the "Perfect Symmetry" release.
    
    Kev --
    

    
       The latest issue of Guitar World has a one page endorsement
    advertisement with Fates Warning and D'Aquisto (sp? D'something!)
    strings.  Looks like "Inside Out" is selling well, I guess.
       BTW, where are these guys now?  Last I knew they were in the
    midwest in support of Dream Theater.  I'd love to catch another
    Babyhead show!!  This time I'll be eyeing their TriAxis' a *little*
    bit closer...
    
    Kev --
    

    
         If anyone happens to come accross a new FW disc entitled
    "Chasing Time" in and around the central Mass. area, please
    let me know.  This one's supposed to be a sorta "greatest hits"
    package with some previously unreleased material on it as well.
    
    Kev --
    

    
    Kev--
    
    What's with the rumours that the band is 'breaking up'?   Or is this
    just gossip?
    
    /jen

    
    Yeah, I heard Ray is leaving the band, BUT, I also heard that 
    Geffin Records (I think is was) is denying that rumor.  Remember
    after "Parallels" was released there was a very similar rumor?
    
    At any rate, I hope the band sticks together.
    
    Kev --
    
    
    

    Kevin and /jen
    
    
    This right from Mike Portnot -- Fates Warning has BROKEN UP!!!
    
    The poop -- the singer has left the band and Fates is no more.
    Says that Guitarist who plays the PRS guitar (forget his name)
    is working with a new singer now.  They have a new name for this
    "band", but it is NOT Fates Warning!

    
    ...Just got it Buck, now:
    
    AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    
    Kev --
    

    
    Hmmmmmmmmmmm....oh....conflicting info in from 'another source'.  Guess
    time will tell WHO is right! :^)
    
    /jen
    
    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
    
    Buck is full of b***s***.....
    
    Right from Metal Blade (Their record label)
    
    "Fates Warning is currently writing for a new LP that will be out in
    the early part of next year. No tour is brewing as of now for
    them...UNFORTUNATELY!"
    

    >Hmmmmmmmmmmm....oh....conflicting info in from 'another source'.  Guess
    >time will tell WHO is right! :^)
    
    Well, I don't know who this "other source" is, but all I did was repeat
    what Mike Portnoy told me, and he is in close contact with Fates!!
    
    
    >Buck is full of b***s***.....
    
    ME?!?  How did I get labeled with this?!
    
    
    >Right from Metal Blade (Their record label)
    >
    >"Fates Warning is currently writing for a new LP that will be out in
    >the early part of next year. No tour is brewing as of now for
    >them...UNFORTUNATELY!"
    
    To reiterate -- (sorry, don't know band members names)
    
    (per Mike P)
    
    The singer for Fates Warning has left the band.  The lead guitarist
    for Fates is working on material with a NEW singer, but under a NEW
    band name.  Mike said that "Fates"--the name--was no more, and that
    the band was calling themselves something different now (he said the
    name, but I forget what it was).
    
    So yeah, I'm sure the Fates dudes *are* working on a new album for
    Metal Blade records, but I was told the band name had changed.
    
    Take it for what it's worth 

    
    Well if the new name of the band pops up anywhere, please post
    it in here.
    
    Too bad (if) the singer left.  I thought his singing on "Inside Out"
    was great.  Also:  hopefully the two guitarists will continue to 
    work on this new project together.  I liked what they did on the
    latest just as much.
    
    Kev --
    

    Has anyone seen a copy of "No Exit" on CD anywhere lately?  If so,
    where? (in the boston area), I'd like to pick it up.
    
    Ken
    

    
    Have you tried a Newbury Comics? If it's not there in stock, they
    should be able to order it.....I wish their prices would have stayed
    lower...they are up there now (been for a bit anyways....) and these
    clowns at Sam Goodies (and the other one, err, can't recall name) are
    waaaay up compared to lechmere/newbury.
    
    Mike
    

    Sorry everybody, but it appears Seth Howes (the person in -2 or so
    who said I was full of B***s***) knows more about the fate of Fates
    than Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater does.
    
    So please, excuse any "rumors" I might have been spreading in this
    note re: FW -- Seth assures me he has the REAL scoop...

    
    >  Seth assures me he has the REAL scoop...
    
    ...which is??
    
       

    
    I was in Newbury Comics in Salem NH on Rte 28 past Salem Tri Cinema (NC
    is on the left just a bit further) and lo behold! I picked up a copy of
    No Exit! It is pretty good too! I like long tunes like the last one on
    that disc! Pretty good stuff...now it seems I'll have to start getting
    more of their stuff (I have Parallels on disc and Awaken the Guardian
    on tape)......
    
    Mike
    
    PS - They had 4-5 discs there from them, I also picked up Filter and
    Carcass (Heartwork...Brutal stuff!).
    

    >>  Seth assures me he has the REAL scoop...
    
    >...which is??
    
    see .94 for details from Seth-E-Poof

    
    RE:  .102
    
    Mike, if you're looking for more then I suggest picking up
    "Inside Out", their latest (and perhaps last [?]) CD.  It's
    more in the style of "Parallels" than that of "No Exit" but
    better IMO.  
    
    I bought it when it first came out and haven't taken it out 
    of my CD-changer (other than for a clean).
    
    Kev --
    (Still seeking "Chasing Time"...)
    

Re. mike

Check also for Perfect Symmetry (I prefer it to Parallels).

Sorin 

    
    RE:  Perfect Symmetry
    
         Another cool CD.  I look at this one as a bit of a
    transition in the evolution of Fates Warning.  With this
    CD, the present band line-up was finalized by the inclusion
    of Mark Zonder on drums.  The band, IMO, buckled down and
    focused on a different approach that that of the previous
    rocker "No Exit".  More orchestration of instrumental parts
    was happening:  violins, keys, as well as guits, percussion/
    drums.  
         Listen to a few selections off "No Exit" and compare it
    to a few off "Perfect Symmetry".  You can certainly here a BIG
    difference in the approach taken.  This CD was an excellent
    hint of what was yet to come.
    
    Kev --
    
    

    It seems to me these guys name their albums after prog-rock
    songs: Parallels (Yes), Awaken (Yes), Inside Out (Gentle
    Giant), No Exit (um, an Allman Bros. tune maybe... not prog-
    rock, but I know I've heard a tune by that name and I thought
    the Allman Bros. did it).

    Am I imagining this? If not, and these guys have a prog-rock
    pedigree, then maybe I'll check them out...

    -b

    Re. -b
    
    Yes, Fates Warning are a progressive metal band.
    
    Sorin

    
    	I gave "Parallels" another spin, and:
    
    	Fates Warning:Queensryche::Flesh:Extreme
    
    	Not impressed.
    

    RE:  Fates Warning:Queensryche
    
         I'll have to agree here, to an extent.  The opening
    vocals at the start of "Leave the Past Behind" (song 1 - 
    "Parallels"), is VERY Queensryche, as is some of the suspensions
    the guitars use throughout, as is some of the cymbal (ride)
    work in the drum department.  No question about that.
    Being a guitar player, I must admit that guitar is what I key
    into FIRST, before everything else filters down.  I do hear
    similarities as I mentioned but I do hear more contrast
    between the two I guess.
         Something that I do notice is that I hear the major 3rd
    pop up (in chords) here and there in some of FW's tunes.  This 
    is something that sounds a bit "out" with a mass of distortion 
    behind you (especially when it occurs on the lower strings).  For 
    a prime  example, check out the drone chord in the rear of the 
    verses of "Life in Still Water" (song 2 - "Parallels").  This 
    simply cuts through your head!  A bit bizarre.  I like this
    sense of quality on chords as most of what's out there in metal
    survives on zero-quality root-fifth "power chords".  I also find
    it refreshing to hear some mixed motion happening in chord
    movements (bass vs. treble strings moving seperately through
    chords).  There's some interesting voicing going on in the tunes
    and it was fun to watch how the two guitarists broke down what
    on CD, sounds like one chord played by the two at once, into 
    some upper-interval stuff played seperately.  
         BUT, Queensryche does all of this as well.  I just like
    Fates Warning more I guess.
    
    Kev --
    
     

    
    I find similarities between QR and FW in "No Exit" in the style of the
    songs and vocals (high range on some songs/intros, etc) that to me go
    to earlier QR music. I like them both, and Parallels seemed quite
    different from early FW, a-la Awaken the Guardian. Still, good stuff!
    
    Mike
    

    
    From the net...
    
       "Don't believe everything you hear!  The fact that Frank 
        is leaving the band has alot less to do with who's writing
        or not writing what.  It's not a situation where Jim says,
        'I'm writing all the material and that's that.'  After alot
        of years together sometimes it's just time to want to do
        something else."
    
    -- Tom Matheos
    
    BTW:  Frank Aresti - guitars, b. vocals
          Jim Matheos - guitars
          Tom Matheos - jim's bro.
    
    Kev --
    
    

    RE: -1 
    
    
    Mark Zonder is def. out and is now playing with Kevin Moore, ex-DT
    Keyboardist!
    

    
    RE: -1
    
    My hope was lost when 1/2 of the guitar team split.  However, 
    I was really into Mark's playing when we saw them in R.I. a
    while back, plus, I love his playing on the last few CD's so
    that's cool he hooked up with someone like Kevin Moore.
    
    Kev --
    

    
    Picked up "Chasing Time" yesterday (Aug. 8 U.S. release date).
    A sort of 'greatest hits' package here with some cool insight
    into the tunes (dating back to the very first release back in
    1984) by different members of the band as well as a few decent
    'timely' photos of the band as they went through changes over
    the years.
    
    I didn't have a chance to give it a listen yet, but I'll post the
    songs here soon.
    
    What was especially interesting was seeing how it was mentioned
    in "important Fates Warning Events" that John Arch (original FW
    vocalist) did a guest appearance at a Conneticut show late last
    year.  Hmmmm...)
    
    More to come,
    Kev --
    

    
    Now I hearing from this guy on the Internet that Mike Portney
    of DT told him at a very recent drum clinic that Jim Matheos
    stated that Fates Warning ARE STILL TOGETHER and are writing
    for an upcoming album (consisting of ONE song spanning the
    entire recording).
    
    WwwwwwTF?!?!?!?!?!
    
    

     re-2
    
    one song for an entire recording??
    
    
    this decades' "inna gadda da vida"(sp)..it could be very boring~
    
    
    							ian

    
    I'll agree with you Ian...it could be very boring.  Have you ever
    given 'The Ivory Gate...' a listen?  It's a concept tune (long
    enough to cover a cassette side) on "No Exit".  That deal I liked
    quite a bit, but I'd rather see FW do another cool CD with a 
    bunch of tunes instead of just 1.
    
    I've also been told that Jim Matheos is seriously thinking of 
    finishing the new recording (being done as we speak) as a four-piece
    band unit...and, taking the four piece on the road.
    
    (And to think, I didn't even get a chance to try out for the vacancy
    left as a result of Frank's departure...!)
    
    Kev --
    
    
    

    
    I haven't heard any at all....I may drop you a tape and you can copy
    something for me!
    
    
    btw...I take it Franks the guitar player?
    
    
    						ian

    
    >> btw...I take it Franks the guitar player?
    
    Yup, or was, I should say.
    
    

    
    On "Chasing Time", let the last tune, "The Eleventh Hour" fade to
    black for about 20 seconds.  There you'll find a bit of "studio 
    obsenity" at around 8:30.
    
    

    
    Jim Matheos plays the bass intro on "Monument", off the "Inside Out"
    CD because according to Bill Metoyer (producer), Joe DiBiase couldn't
    deal with this tune's 7/4 intro section.
    

    
    I talked to Maria at Metal Blade Records and:  we can expect a
    new Fates Warning album sometime around late summer / early fall.
    The writing is done but no studio time has been booked.
    
    I also heard that it'll be more in the style of "No Exit".
    
    Kev --
    

    
    Andre Corbin from Helstar will be replacing Frank Aresti (at least
    on the road).
    
    Kev --
    

    
    FWIW, Cherry Lane Music has just put out a Fates Warning 
    guitar-tab music book thing.  I think it's called "Through
    Different Eyes:  The Music Of Fates Warning".  The price
    I saw was $19.99.
    
    Kev --
    

    
    Looks like FW will be covering "Closer To The Heart" for that
    upcoming Rush tribute thing.
    
    Kev --
    

    
    It now appears that Joe DiBiase has left Fates Warning leaving
    only ONE orginal member.  However, Joe will be playing on that
    upcoming Rush tribute thing with FW.
    
    Kev --
    

    Does anyone know yet what tune FW will be covering from Rush?
    

    No but if you find out post it.
    -BG

    
    See .127.
    
    Kev --
    

    Oh.

    
    Recently got some mail from Maria over at Metal Blade.  I guess
    over this past weekend Jim Matheos from FW was online taking
    questions regarding line-up changes/tour schedules/new CD thing
    with the fans.  Unfortunately I wasn't there to get the scoop.
    However, I'm pretty sure she put logged the entire thing for
    those (like me) who missed it.  If I can get the piece, I'll
    surely post it here.
    
    Kev --
    

    
    I've got the entire transcript of the Jim Matheos chat off AOL
    and it's way too long and jumbled to put in here.  But to summarize:
    
    A new FW recording will most likely be out early next year.  Jim
    went on to say that all the music is done, with 2/3 of the lyrics
    finished.  He said something about the huge lag the record company
    takes when releasing a CD..something about getting his stuff in
    *before* July 1...anything submitted after that date pushes back
    the release date for some reason or another.
    
    The new CD will be ONE SONG, complete, with no breaks whatsoever.
    The hot topic was if the band will be putting indexes on this thing.
    Jim's still in the air on that one.  They would obviously prefer
    a headlining spot come tour time so they can play this long song in
    it's entirety (also the encore will possibly be "The Ivory Gate Of
    Dreams" in entirety...COOL!).  Supposedly, this new one falls somewhere
    between Perfect Symmetry and No Exit and is very progressive with
    absolute mellowness to hard and very heavy.
    
    Keys will play an important upcoming role.  They've narrowed down the
    choice for keybords down to like three...with Kevin Moore being in
    there.  Joey Vera will be taking on bass guitar with Andre Corbin
    replacing Frank Aresti for the tour.  Possible producers:  Max Norman,
    Terry Brown (Parallels), and Bill Metoyer (Inside Out).
    
    And finally, the tribute albums.  The Rush song is indeed "Closer To
    The Heart".  And to my suprise, there's an upcoming Judas Priest
    tribute thing where FW will be doing "Saints In Hell".
    
    Later,
    Kev --
       

    
    Look for the new Fates CD in stores April 22.
    
    Kev --
    

    
    ...FWIW it'll be entitled "A Pleasant Shade Of Grey".
    

    
    O.k., the new Fates CD is out!!  A real pain in the ass to get...nobody
    had it around...had to drive out to Framingham for mine.  
    
    At any rate, it is one song entitled "A Pleasant Shade Of Grey" running
    like 51 minutes WITH indexes, or "Parts" as it is referred to by the
    band.
    
    I've listened to it in entirety twice.  Musically (lyrics inclusive),
    this CD is a comprehensive 'take' of previous albums (a la "Inside
    Out", "Parallels", "Perfect Symmetry", and "No Exit").  There's shades
    [no pun intended] of everything FW has ever done on this one...plus
    much more.  It's not as _heavy_ as I wanted, nor is it solo-rich in
    the guitar department.  It's different in SO MANY areas, I don't know
    where to begin.  Ray sounds great, kinda hidden, some places I swear
    it dosen't even sound like Ray at all.  Kevin Moore's keys are really
    good; alot of folks don't dig his analog touch..I do.  Joey Vera (bass,
    ex-Armored Saint) sounds great as well, adding some things totally
    new to bands's overall sound.  
    
    There are parts that sound alot like Dream Theater, and there are parts
    that sound ALOT like friggin Pink Floyd.  There are also some very
    complex arrangements herein.  The complete meshed package is the nads.
    
    Terry Brown produced.  There are mucho 'electronic' slide of hand
    tricks all over this thing...pretty interesting.  Some easily
    distinguishable, some not so apparent.  Check out the drum production
    for example...it varies throughout.
    
    Jim Matheos is the man.  The sole original member of Fates...not to
    mention he writes music/lyrics for like 99% of all their output.  He's
    ventured into some uncanny areas, previous recordings considered, on
    APSOG.  It'll be interesting to see how they pull this one off live.
    It'll also be quite interesting to see the personnel for the tour...
    
    I cannot wait to see this show..it'll be awesome.  This CD is the best
    I've ever heard by Fates Warning.  More to come as I hear it, and as
    I listen to it more...
    
    Kev --  
    
    
    

    
    Ohh..check out in liner thanks the: Mike "honorary member of 
    Fates Warning" Portney of Dream Theater.
    
    Also, NO mention of the now-departed Frank Aresti...BIG thanks
    to the now-departed Joe Dibiase
    
    I'm thinking this is gonna be IT for Fates Warning.
    
    Kev --
    
    

    Did you say Kevin Moore is playing keys for FW?!
    
    Excellent!!

    
    Yup, he's listed on the CD...don't think he'll be touring however,
    I guess he's got his own project in the works.
    
    Kev --