Fates Warning

Trauma – As the World Dies Review

By Huck N Roll on February 13, 2019 in 2019, American Metal, Heavy Metal, NWOBHM, Pure Steel Records, Reviews, Thrash Metal, Heavy Metal, NWOBHM, Thrash Metal, 31 comments

“Last month I reviewed the latest Very Good release from Flotsam and Jetsam, a band known more for their contribution to Metallica than to thrash music in general. Well, not to be outdone, here comes Trauma, a band that should be known even more so for their contribution to Metallica. After all, it was Trauma that gifted the inimitable Cliff Burton to Metallica, and as we all know, the rest is history. And it was history for this Sunset Strip band: their debut album, Scratch and Scream, came out two years after Burton departed, and it was another three decades before their follow-up, Rapture and Wrath, dropped. Now here they are with As the World Dies, their third album (a mere three years after their second, instead of thirty), and another attempt to establish themselves as more than just a footnote in metal history.” And it certainly won’t be their cover art that does it, so can their music?

Heir Apparent – The View From Below Review

By Steel Druhm on October 15, 2018 in 2018, American Metal, Heavy Metal, No Remorse Records, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Heavy Metal, Progressive Metal, 84 comments

“Okay kiddies, gather around Uncle Steel, Witchfinder General and Keeper of the Sacred Banhammer. It’s time for another metal history lesson. Once upon a time there was a little band called Heir Apparent. They played what we now might call prog-power and they were heavily influenced by the early works of Queensrÿche and Fates Warning. Their 1986 debut, Graceful Inheritance is a forgotten gem, featuring a dated but highly impressive take on proggy melodic metal, full of hooks and overflowing with talent.” Out of thin Heir!

Circles – The Last One Review

By Kronos on September 9, 2018 in 2018, Australian Metal, Djent, Progressive Metal, Progressive Rock, Reviews, Season of Mist, Djent, Progressive Metal, Progressive Rock, 91 comments

“Circles’ textured approach to prog metal recalls the moodiness and energy of Fates Warning within the context of a post-djent landscape where six-string guitars and straight rhythms are seen as passé. Yet success stirs in their artful and sensitive exploration of space, whether they’re marching through angular hardcore, tip-toeing across delicate electronics, or bobbing in subtle waves. Like many modern, progressive-leaning rock/metal bands, they bring elements of Periphery-worship on their journey but deploy them so intelligently that at times The Last One becomes greater than its individual components.” Always sphere for you.

Redemption – Long Night’s Journey into Day Review

By Steel Druhm on July 27, 2018 in 2018, American Metal, Metal Blade, Progressive Metal, Progressive Rock, Reviews, Progressive Metal, 108 comments

“Once upon a time I went all in for the larger than life prog bombast of Fates Warning and later, Dream Theater. I admired the cerebral nature of both their works and the mind-blowing level of technical proficiency with which they delivered it. Over the years, Dream Theater lost their way and the ability to deliver memorable material, but Fates Warning modified and ultimately streamlined their sound to remain a reliable, engaging act 30-plus years into their career arc. Redemption, a sort of prog super group helmed by Fates Warning’s Ray Alder and some Fates expats, has managed a successful run of albums by following Fates’ blueprint and delivering songs first, with wankery added in a relatively unobtrusive way.” A long noodle’s journey.

Tomorrow’s Eve – Mirror of Creation III – Project Ikaros Review

By GardensTale on May 5, 2018 in 2018, German Metal, Nuclear Blast, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Progressive Metal, 63 comments

“I must admit, I get a bit nervous reviewing a part 3 of anything without experiencing part 1 and 2 beforehand. It’s like watching the final chapter of a movie trilogy without knowledge of what happened before. But since storyline is nearly always a secondary feature in music, I’ll make an exception for Tomorrow’s Eve. The progressive German quintet has been around for a while, 20 years in fact, but the last decade has been spent not releasing anything.” George R.R. Martin metal?

Felskinn – Mind Over Matter Review

By GardensTale on March 14, 2018 in 2018, Heavy Metal, Reviews, Rock of Angels Records, Swiss Metal, Heavy Metal, 28 comments

“Let us put on the hat of the elitist for a moment. What separates us from the mainstream pleb? When it comes to extreme metal, the answer is obvious. No mainstream music is so dense, complex and abrasive. Hit lists rarely contain tracks that actively, overtly work to create discomfort and repulsion. When it comes to less obviously anti-commercialism, though, the differences become less pronounced, and a multitude of heavy metal bands have indeed been part of what was considered hit music, back in the glorious ’80s. Felskinn tries to appeal to the hit chart-sensitive among the population while recognizing that classic metal doesn’t embody widely accepted characteristics anymore.” Taste the Felskinn.

Long Distance Calling – Boundless Review

By Mark Z. on February 5, 2018 in 2018, German Metal, InsideOut, Instrumental Metal, Post-metal, Post-Rock, Reviews, Instrumental Metal, Post-Metal, 46 comments

“Long Distance Calling is the best instrumental metal band you’ve never heard of. Formed in 2006, this German quartet first came to my attention when I discovered 2007 debut Satellite Bay last year, an album that went perfectly with my lonely drives along the sparkling New England coastline.” Accept the charges.

Enzo and the Glory Ensemble – In the Name of the Son Review

By Master of Muppets on October 5, 2017 in 2017, Italian Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Rockshots Records, Symphonic Metal, Progressive Metal, Symphonic Metal, 82 comments

“Once, I believed myself able to see past the veils and charades of societal labels, to be able to transcend the likes of religious affiliation in order to experience art for art’s sake. Once, I believed that I could overcome any element of musical unpleasantness if the rest of the material was strong enough. I have loved the likes of Mos Def, Flyleaf, and Ghost Bath, and felt no shame. Once, I believed all this to be enough to allow me to find redemption in any kind of music… until I heard Enzo and the Glory Ensemble’s In the Name of the Son.” Jazz hands for the Lord.

April Releases You Might Overlook But Shouldn’t: Fates Warning / Steve Grimmett

By Steel Druhm on April 29, 2017 in 2017, Andorran Metal, Blog Posts, Dissonance Productions, English Metal, Heavy Metal, Metal Blade, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Heavy Metal, Progressive Metal, 44 comments

“Every now and then a release comes along that deserves attention but for various reasons, a full blown review isn’t in the cards. Since two April releases fit that bill, we’re doing this rare and unusual music alert for the more discerning metal mavens (i.e. people with the good taste to share our tastes).” Things you haven’t missed …yet!

Lunar Shadow – Far From Light Review

By Steel Druhm on March 19, 2017 in 2017, Cruz Del Sur, Epic Metal, German Metal, Heavy Metal, Reviews, Epic Metal, Heavy Metal, 55 comments

“Nostalgia is a part of life, as inescapable as death, taxes and back hair. In moderation it’s a wistful and harmless reminder of happy times and precious moments. Taken to extremes however, it becomes ABBA-centric musicals and ironical Hipster Hell (i.e. Williamsburg, Brooklyn). The biggest problem with throwback/retro nostalgia-core is the fact it must forever look backward at what’s already been done, rarely managing to inject modern ideas or sensibilities into the mix. Flying in the face of this truism, Lunar Shadow boldly strides out of Germany with a new take on living in the past.” A retro twofer? Everyone loves a bargain.