Fates Warning – Parallels Special Edition
released March 16, 2010 on Metal Blade Records
Rating : 3.5 / 5
These relatively unsung heroes of the progressive metal movement return to the forefront of the genre with an expanded reissue of their sixth album, Parallels – their landmark 1991 crossover hit. These re-releases may continue in lieu of new material, of which we haven’t heard since 2004′s FWX.
Parallels marks a departure from the challenging, esoteric metal at their arguable apex, Perfect Symmetry. While the music is still interesting and the vocals powerful, they move toward accessible, rock-oriented song structures, with lyrics that are more easily digestible. However, still present is the precision applied to their arrangements. The man turning the knobs is none other than Terry Brown, who produced Rush from Fly By Night clear through to Signals. He was also behind Voivod this same year, recording Angel Rat, thus helping two of prog metal’s most prominent groups capture their developing music.
Fates Warning’s greatest distinction comes from drummer Mark Zonder, who adds dynamic flavor in any free pocket he finds. But ironically, if any one aspect dates this band, it’s the digital percussion sounds that occasionally crop up in places like “Life In Still Water”. And as long as we’re dating things, note how that same song features James LaBrie before he recorded with Dream Theater. Speaking of vocalists, Fates Warning now makes my list of bands that are both blessed and cursed by their singer (but for different reason than the others). In this case, it’s because Ray Alder simply sounds too much like Queensrÿche‘s Geoff Tate – the range, the timbre, the delivery – and the similarity is distracting. Despite their likenesses (not to mention the fact that Operation: Mindcrime is an all-time favorite album of mine), I actually enjoy Alder’s relatively even-keeled wails and steady vocal control.
My favorite parts of the second disc is the mighty “Nothing Left To Say”, from a live concert performed shortly after the release of Parallels. The weakest live tune is “Eye To Eye”, which finds Alder straining to hit the chorus. Oddly enough, the demo of the same track is spot-on, and this half of disc II helps demonstrate to the completists just how these songs developed. Hopefully, Fates Warning will find a place in the hearts of new Metal audiences, and remind old fans that Parallels is an enjoyable listen.
CD I – Parallels
FCC OK
Try 1, 2, 3, 5
01. Leave The Past Behind
02. Life In Still Water (feat. James LaBrie)
03. Eye To Eye
04. The Eleventh Hour
05. Point Of View
06. We Only Say Goodbye
07. Don’t Follow Me
08. The Road Goes On Forever
CD II – Parallels Live in Hollywood, California on January 23, 1992
FCC : 3
Try 6, 10
01. Leave The Past Behind (live)
02. Don’t Follow Me (live)
03. Eleventh Hour (live)
04. Point Of View (live)
05. Eye To Eye (live)
06. Nothing Left To Say (live)
07. Quietus (live)
08. Through Different Eyes (live)
Pre-Production Demos:
09. Leave The Past Behind (demo)
10. Eye To Eye (demo)
11. Eleventh Hour (demo)
12. Point Of View (demo)
13. Don’t Follow Me (demo)
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