Fates Warning FWX

Fates Warning came from the world of underground metal, as can be seen on some of their earlier recordings like “Night On Brocken”, and morphed into a progressive metal group. That track led to what was, for me, the high point of their output, “A Pleasant Shade Of Gray”.  And after that came “Disconnected”. Things were a little fuzzy there, I think. Apart from a handful of good songs and one great song of mammoth length, the disc didn’t gel as a whole. I still listen to “Disconnected” from time to time, but I seldom listen to the disc as a whole. Let’s just say that I had a lot riding on their next studio album.

And here it is: “FWX” (or Fates Warning X, for the easily misled) is not “A Pleasant Shade Of Gray”, but it isn’t “Disconnected” either. The entirety of the recording is listenable, and very much enjoyed, in a single setting and the songs are separate entities, not tied to a concept album structure. Jim Matheos’ guitar and Ray Alder’s voice are in great shape and the overall sound is lean and tough. No longer leaning on the keyboards, Fates Warning is once again a guitar-driven entity.

Of the songs, my immediate favorite is “Another Perfect Day” which jumped out at me on the first run-through, but the complete CD, while not a concept, does have a theme though it may be an unconscious one. There is a dire cynicism across the songs, as if to say ‘fates warning goes unheard’, from the first song “Left Here” (lost my way back then / now it seems I’m lost again) to the last, “Wish” (may you never know this darkness / may you never be so blind / may you always know the peace / that I could never seem to find).

I’d be remiss if I didn’t tell you it makes for a difficult ride. Much like the cover art of a couple in beach chairs, awaiting the approaching tornado spiral, “FWX” is not a party disc or carefree headbanging material. It’s heavy in both the musical and contextual way, but it is mature enough not to out-and-out wallow in self pity and miseries. For anyone who though “Disconnected” was too apt a title, cheer up. Fates Warning is reconnected and “FWX” is worth your attention.

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Release Date: October 05, 2004
Tracks: 10 - Time: 54:30
Produced by: Jim Matheos & Ray Alder
Format: CD
Website: www.fateswarning.com

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