Fates Warning

Fates Warning released their debut album, "Night on Bröcken", in 1984 through Metal Blade Records. The album was primarily influenced by Iron Maiden and other heavy metal bands, particularly on its title track and "Damnation", while also incorporating progressive elements that would become more prominent in subsequent releases.

Their second album, "The Spectre Within", was released in 1985 and featured a more progressive musical approach. Tracks such as "The Apparition", "Epitaph", "Pirates of the Underground" and "Traveler in Time" incorporated frequent tempo changes, complex arrangements and fantasy-based lyrics featuring symbolism and double meanings. During this period, Fates Warning established a substantial live following in the eastern United States and the Midwest, performing alongside bands including Motörhead, Queensrÿche, Anthrax, Overkill, Anvil and Armored Saint.

In 1986, original guitarist Victor Arduini left the band and was replaced by Frank Aresti. Fates Warning released their third studio album, "Awaken the Guardian", in November of that year. The album expanded the band's progressive approach, incorporating complex riffs, unconventional song structures, frequent tempo changes and elaborate vocal performances, alongside mythical themes and atmospheric arrangements. It has subsequently been recognised as an influential release in the development of progressive metal. The album became the first Metal Blade release to enter the Billboard 200, and the band performed alongside Queensrÿche and Saxon in support of it.

In 1987, original vocalist John Arch left the band before work began on their next album and was replaced by Ray Alder. The band's first album with Alder, "No Exit", was released in March 1988. It developed the progressive musical direction of "Awaken the Guardian", featuring a heavier sound and moving away from the fantasy themes of earlier releases. The album included "The Ivory Gate of Dreams", a multi-part composition inspired by the gates of horn and ivory from classical mythology and one of the genre's early extended progressive metal suites.

"No Exit" reached number 111 on the Billboard 200 and remained on the chart for thirteen weeks, giving the band their highest position at the time. Its commercial performance contributed to the band's growing international popularity. The music videos for "Anarchy Divine" and "Silent Cries" received considerable airplay on MTV's "Headbangers Ball". Fates Warning toured extensively in support of the album, performing with Krokus, Savatage, Armored Saint and Flotsam and Jetsam.

Following the tour, original drummer Steve Zimmerman left the band in 1988 and was replaced by Mark Zonder. The band's fifth studio album, "Perfect Symmetry", was released in August 1989. It marked a departure from the aggressive sound of "No Exit", adopting a more melodic and experimental approach, with melancholic atmospheres and introspective lyrics. The album featured intricate arrangements and complex rhythmic structures, and has been regarded as an influential progressive metal release that helped shape the genre's sound during the 1990s. Kevin Moore, then the keyboardist for Dream Theater, contributed keyboards to "At Fate's Hands", while the album cover was designed by Hugh Syme, known for his work with the Canadian progressive rock band Rush.

"Perfect Symmetry" remained on the Billboard 200 for nine weeks, although it did not match the commercial performance of "No Exit". The music video for "Through Different Eyes" received airplay on "Headbangers Ball". The band subsequently embarked on its first full-length world tour, which ran from November 1989 to November 1990. The tour included European dates supporting Manowar and further performances with Sanctuary, who had previously supported Fates Warning in the United States in early 1990.

In 1991, Fates Warning released their sixth studio album, "Parallels", distributed by Warner Bros. Records. Produced by Terry Brown, who had previously worked with Rush, the album featured more accessible and streamlined compositions than its predecessors. However, tracks such as "The Eleventh Hour" retained the band's complex progressive arrangements, while "Life in Still Water" featured guest vocals by James LaBrie, who had recently joined Dream Theater.

"Parallels" is regarded by some critics and musicians as an influential progressive metal album. Although it did not enter the Billboard 200, it reached the top ten of the Billboard Heatseekers chart and became one of the band's most commercially successful releases. Its release coincided with the emergence of grunge, which affected the commercial visibility of many heavy metal bands. The music videos for "Point of View" and "Eye to Eye" received extensive airplay on "Headbangers Ball". During 1992, Fates Warning toured with Pantera and Savatage, and in 1993 headlined the second night of the Wacken Open Air festival in Germany. Matheos and DiBiase have subsequently identified "Parallels" as one of their favourite albums in the band's catalogue.

The band's seventh studio album, "Inside Out", was released in 1994, approximately two and a half years after "Parallels". It continued the musical direction of its predecessor while incorporating additional melodic elements. The album also marked the first time since "The Spectre Within" that the band's lineup had remained unchanged between studio albums. Band members later attributed its comparatively limited commercial performance to difficulties maintaining creative momentum following the success of "Parallels" and uncertainty during the songwriting process.

"Inside Out" reached the top ten of the Billboard Heatseekers chart despite receiving little radio airplay, amid the growing popularity of grunge and alternative rock. Following its release, Fates Warning toured as the opening act for Dream Theater's "Awake" tour in the United States and Europe. In 1995, the band released the compilation album "Chasing Time", which included two previously unreleased tracks.

In 1996, bassist Joe DiBiase and guitarist Frank Aresti left the band. The remaining members, Alder, Matheos and Zonder, recruited bassist Joey Vera, while Kevin Moore contributed keyboards as a guest musician. The resulting lineup released "A Pleasant Shade of Gray" in 1997. The concept album featured a darker and more introspective musical and lyrical approach than the band's previous work. It consisted of a single 53-minute composition divided into twelve parts, making it the longest recording in the band's catalogue.

In 1998, Fates Warning released the double live album "Still Life", featuring a complete performance of "A Pleasant Shade of Gray". The live lineup included Vera on bass, Bernie Versailles on guitar and Jason Keazer on keyboards. The Japanese edition included a studio cover of the Scorpions' song "In Trance". The band also performed at the Wacken Open Air festival in August 1999.

The lineup responsible for "A Pleasant Shade of Gray", consisting of Alder, Matheos, Zonder, Vera and Moore, reunited to record the band's ninth studio album, "Disconnected", released in 2000. In 2003, Frank Aresti was invited to perform with the band on a tour alongside Dream Theater and Queensrÿche. He officially rejoined Fates Warning as a full-time member in 2005.

Fates Warning released their tenth studio album, "FWX", in 2004. Mark Zonder announced that it would be his final album with the band, as he intended to pursue other interests, and departed in 2005. Although Aresti had officially rejoined the group, he did not participate in the recording of "FWX", as the songwriting had already been completed and recording contracts had been signed. The concert DVD "Live in Athens" was released in 2005 and featured guest drummer Nick D'Virgilio.

In the liner notes for the 2005 expanded edition of "Awaken the Guardian", Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy acknowledged Fates Warning's contribution to progressive metal, noting that the band had been developing the genre several years before Dream Theater emerged.

Fates Warning also contributed music to film soundtracks and tribute albums. Their song "Nothing Left to Say" appeared on the soundtrack to the 1991 film "Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare". The band recorded a cover of Rush's "Closer to the Heart" for the tribute album "Working Man", a cover of Judas Priest's "Saints in Hell" for the 1997 compilation "Legends of Metal", and a cover of Dio's "Sign of the Southern Cross" for the 2000 tribute album "Holy Dio".

In 2010, Fates Warning reunited the lineup associated with "Parallels", consisting of Alder, Matheos, Zonder, Aresti and DiBiase, for a series of selected live performances commemorating the album's reissue in a remastered and expanded edition.

In early 2011, Matheos and original vocalist John Arch announced the formation of a new band, Arch/Matheos. Their self-titled debut album was released in autumn 2011 and featured Joey Vera on bass, Bobby Jarzombek on drums and Frank Aresti on additional lead guitar.

Following several delays, Fates Warning released their eleventh studio album, "Darkness in a Different Light", on 27 September 2013. It was their first studio album since "FWX" in 2004.

In 2016, the lineup that recorded "Awaken the Guardian", consisting of Arch, Matheos, Aresti, DiBiase and Zimmerman, reunited to commemorate the album's 30th anniversary. The group headlined the Keep It True festival in Germany on 30 April 2016 and the ProgPower USA festival in Atlanta, Georgia, on 9 September 2016. Both performances were recorded and filmed, and subsequently released by Metal Blade Records on 28 April 2017, as "Awaken the Guardian Live", available on CD, double vinyl, DVD and Blu-ray.

Fates Warning began recording their twelfth studio album in December 2015, with an initial release planned for early 2016. The album, titled "Theories of Flight", was released on 1 July 2016.

In a June 2018 interview, vocalist Ray Alder stated that the band was not actively writing new material and that its members were pursuing individual projects. He indicated that there were no immediate plans to record another Fates Warning album, although the band was considering further touring.

On 15 February 2019, Fates Warning announced that they had re-signed with Metal Blade Records and intended to begin work on a new studio album following their spring tour with Queensrÿche, targeting a 2020 release. In December 2019, bassist Joey Vera confirmed that songwriting for the album was nearing completion and that recording was expected to take place in January or February 2020. Vera also discussed plans for a new album by his other band, Armored Saint.

On 13 May 2020, Alder announced on social media that he had completed the vocals for Fates Warning's thirteenth studio album, recording thirteen songs in twelve days. On 25 August 2020, the band announced that the album would be titled "Long Day Good Night" and released on 6 November 2020. Its release followed the publication of Armored Saint's album "Punching the Sky" by approximately two weeks.

In a May 2023 interview with Rock Hard magazine, Alder stated that Matheos was no longer interested in writing new music for Fates Warning, although he did not rule out future live performances. Alder said that he and Matheos had discussed the possibility of touring again, subject to the availability of the other members. In a subsequent interview with Prog magazine, Alder reiterated that Matheos did not currently wish to write new material for the band, while noting that this position could change. He also clarified that Fates Warning had not formally disbanded and that further live performances remained possible. The members also discussed the possibility of a 40th anniversary tour. In 2024, the band reiterated that there were no plans to write or record new music.

On 16 May 2026, Alder posted a photograph of himself with Matheos on social media, accompanied by the caption "Yeah, we're up to something #newmusicalert". The post prompted speculation about a possible new Fates Warning release. The project was subsequently identified as "How to Cast a Shadow", the forthcoming second album by North Sea Echoes, the side project formed by Alder and Matheos.

Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fates_Warning

Studio albums

Night on Bröcken (1984)

The Spectre Within (1985)

Awaken the Guardian (1986)

No Exit (1988)

Perfect Symmetry (1989)

Parallels (1991)

Inside Out (1994)

A Pleasant Shade of Gray (1997)

Disconnected (2000)

FWX (2004)

Darkness in a Different Light (2013)

Theories of Flight (2016)

Long Day Good Night (2020)