New Fates Warning

[Random Axe]

First song from the new album called Long Day, Good Night is out today. I'm using my work terminal and have no access to a youtube link so hopefully one of you fine folks can add one. I think the new one drops on Nov 3.

Song wise this fits directly in their formula they've used since Darkness. Nothing earth-shattering, but what they do is pretty amazing. It's a standard Fates song. The dual guitar harmony at the beginning is super sick. I've only heard this one time all the way through so these are very initial, cursory thoughts. There is zero chance this isn't my n0.1 album this year. I was however expecting to be blown away with the first released song and I'm not, I'm just impressed.

[Nos]

Here's the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hnmxOUBD-I

It's a fine song, but the singles usually are. I heard them say there's some electronic and atmospheric stuff on the record, which is going to be 72 bloody minutes long, so I'm not holding out any hope whatsoever of it being better than Ray's solo album. I think he distilled the Fates sound better than they do it themselves.

[Hearing Aid Man]

I've liked this song more with each play. Funny how I always seem to play the previous Fates cd in anticipation of a new one and that one seem to sound better than I remembered even though I liked it.

[Random Axe]

I've liked this song more with each play. Funny how I always seem to play the previous Fates cd in anticipation of a new one and that one seem to sound better than I remembered even though I liked it.

Theories is now tied for my second fav FW album with Parallels. So yeah, they have that spark and energy back. This song I'll need a few more times tonight finally with headphones. I preordered one of their bundles, and I NEVER preorder anything since I always get burned. I felt compelled. Fates Warning release day is an event for me.

[AllMediaReviews]

Press Release

Press release:

On November 6, FATES WARNING will release its new album, "Long Day Good Night", via Metal Blade Records. The disc's first single, "Scars", can be streamed below.

FATES WARNING has been a formidable presence in progressive metal for more than 35 years, helping to shape and drive the genre without ever compromising its integrity or losing relevance. They return in 2020 with "Long Day Good Night", the most epic and longest album of its storied career, mixed by Joe Barresi.

"The styles of music we've written distinguish this record from the rest of our catalogue," states vocalist Ray Alder. "There are some songs with electronics and some with a nice ethereal feel, as well as some pretty straightforward grooves, at least for us. And there are also some pretty heavy songs. We tried to give the listener a host of different things to listen to, as opposed to an album where every song sounds the same." As such, the album is something of a rollercoaster ride, moving through various moods and making for perhaps their most vital release to date.

Guitarist Jim Matheos began writing the album in mid-2019, working closely with Alder for about a year, honing the songs, completing 13 for their 13th full-length — which, uncoincidentally, has a total running time of 72:22. Despite their long history of making records, Alder makes it clear that the songs take a lot of work to realize.

"Like all albums, nothing comes easy," he says. "It's quite a process to go from the idea to the actual finished song. Sometimes you think you're done with it, then you hear something else and you have to try that. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't, but you at least have to try it just so you know that in the end you've done everything possible to make it as good as it can be. Jim and I spent practically every day for the last year writing this album. I am very happy with the outcome, and with the blend of styles. I guess I could say that this album represents all of the years that we have been together."

The record also features guest appearances from touring guitarist Mike Abdow, who contributed some solos, plus PORCUPINE TREE/THE PINEAPPLE THIEF drummer Gavin Harrison, who plays on "When Snow Falls". "Under The Sun" sees the band incorporating a full string section for the first time.

[Packgrog]

Cool. I like the new track. Not as enthused about a super long album as I used to be back in the 90's, as they almost always seem to end up with too much filler. But I guess we'll see.

If memory serves, I enjoyed Theories of Flight more than Darkness in a Different Light. It's also nice to see that other people seem as pleasantly surprised by Ray's solo album as I was (IMO more enjoyable than Engine or the last few Fates or Redemption albums).

Here's hoping that the downtime from everything else (f*ck you very much, Covid) served to help them dig deep for this new material, even if they'd started work on it last year. I've found creativity quite difficult these past few months, but different people respond differently to difficult situations. May they have much success!