Fates Warning

Arduini / Balich – Dawn of Ages Review

By Steel Druhm on February 23, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Cruz Del Sur, Doom Metal, Heavy Metal, Reviews, Doom Metal, Heavy Metal, 24 comments

“You know all about our stance on so called “supergroups” at his establishment. The whole concept of a group of superlative (or at least well known) musicians coming together to form an exciting new project invites heightened expectations, and all too often the end product is a let down. Of course there are exceptions to the rule like Arch/Matheos and of course, that awesome Metallica / Lou Reed collaboration, but as a rule it’s best to approach these things guardedly. That brings us to today’s subject – a project by former Fates Warning guitarist Victor Arduini and Argus vocalist Brian Balich.” Big doom for big men and women.

Need – Hegaiamas: A Song for Freedom Review

By Zephyrus on January 12, 2017 in 2017, Greek Metal, Progressive Metal, Progressive Rock, Reviews, Self-released, Progressive Metal, 36 comments

“Every genre has its tropes. Power metal’s unhealthy obsession with dragons and unicorns, for example. Thrashers shower but twice a year. Did you know that most black metal musicians are allergic to both colors and happiness? All true facts! Progressive metal is no exception.” Unicorns are the new white meat.

Dr. Fisting’s Top Ten(ish) of 2016

By Dr. Fisting on December 29, 2016 in 2016, Blog Posts, Lists, 84 comments

“Scientists all agree that 2016 is the worst year of anyone’s life who has ever lived, including mine. We lost a lot of musical heroes this year (both metal and otherwise), and the current political climate has brought unprecedented levels of stupidity to my doorstep. Worse yet, I am often surrounded by terrible music made by dickheads.” Read this and don’t be a dickhead.

Flidais – Kazador Review

By GardensTale on December 3, 2016 in 2016, Canadian Metal, Heavy Metal, Reviews, Self-released, Heavy Metal, Progressive Metal, 19 comments

“Judging a book by its cover is an age-old tradition, despite the advice of moms everywhere. Albums are much the same. For instance, if the cover is a black passe-partout around a black and white figure, with a logo I can’t read, it’s usually a one-man black metal band. With the name of an ancient Celtic goddess and an album cover more lilac than the air freshener aisle in the local Wal-Mart, Flidais seem intent to have you believe they play some sort of flowery hippie folk metal, like the Grateful Dead with more distortion.” Lilac is the new black.

Dark Forest – Beyond the Veil Review

By Steel Druhm on September 22, 2016 in 2016, Cruz Del Sur, English Metal, Heavy Metal, Power Metal, Reviews, Heavy Metal, Power Metal, 41 comments

“I wanted to get this review up much sooner but life happened, and though it’s several weeks tardy, Beyond the Veil, Dark Forest’s fourth album, definitely deserves a spotlight shone upon it. All the more so considering we whiffed on reviewing their excellent 2014 release, The Awakening. These English chaps play folksy power metal with a butt-ton ton of traditional and NWoBHM influences, often sounding like a fusion of Iron Maiden, Kamelot and Skyclad.” Go get Ent!

Record(s) o’ the Month – July 2016

By Steel Druhm on August 4, 2016 in 2016, Blog Posts, Record o' the Month, 78 comments

“Rare is the month where the AMG staffers can come together in the spirit of brotherhood and goodwill and choose a Record o’ the Month without hurling insults, chairs and lead at one another. July was one such rare and joyous occasion, if only because chairs and firearms were not available at the ice cream social/selection meeting.” Yay, team building!

Wolverine – Machina Viva Review

By Huck N Roll on June 28, 2016 in 2016, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Sensory Records, Swedish Metal, Progressive Metal, 31 comments

“I could spend all 700 words of this review talking about why Wolverine is a horrible name for this band. As most of us northerners are aware, wolverines are vicious beasts capable of bringing down prey far larger than themselves. They have a gluttonous reputation, and almost no other creatures want to mess with them. Wolverines certainly wouldn’t be in a band that featured keyboards, or harmony backing vocals, or heaven forbid a fretless bass solo.” What’s in a name, you ask?

Airbag – Disconnected Review

By Huck N Roll on June 25, 2016 in 2016, Karisma Records, Norwegian Metal, Progressive Metal, Progressive Rock, Reviews, Progressive Metal, 17 comments

“Airbag is a great name for a band. I’d never heard of them until a week ago. Comparisons to Pink Floyd and Porcupine Tree are enough to get this prog geek’s ears up, and here we are, listening to their fourth album, Disconnected. Giving your album the same name as the classic Fates Warning record is cheeky indeed, but my hopes are high that this band can pull it off.” He’s got high hopes, he’s got high hopes.

Fates Warning – Theories Of Flight Review

By Dr. Fisting on June 23, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, InsideOut, Labels, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Progressive Metal, 54 comments

“Circumstances have not been kind to prog-metal forefathers Fates Warning. For most of the past decade and a half, the band has been sidelined while far lesser acts have laid claim to the entire genre (oh hi, Dream Theater). The fact that Fates have released some incredibly inaccessible albums has not helped their cause, nor did their 9-year hiatus from making new music altogether.” The forefathers are back!

Redemption – The Art of Loss Review

By Steel Druhm on February 27, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Metal Blade, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Progressive Metal, 24 comments

“Over my life as a metal fan I’ve had my share of issues with proggy musical endeavors. Though there was a time when I loved everything Dream Theater did, they eventually drifted into a grey purgatory of wanking and showboatery which left those of us who appreciated actual songs out in the cold. I loved early Fates Warning even more dearly, but they too took their progressive tendencies too far afield for my liking, losing their traditional metal charm entirely. Somehow, Redemption managed to avoid alienating my affections over their career though they embody the exact same tendencies as the aforementioned acts.” Don’t put the W in wank and everything will be just fine.