The American group Fates Warning is an important pioneer of the progmetal. At the same time, this quintet, founded in 1984, is the least known name between fellow pioneers Queensrÿche and Dream Theater. Perhaps because Fates Warning had many personnel changes over the decades (with guitarist Jim Matheos as the only constant member) and also released albums at an increasingly slower pace. For example,
… this eleventh album is the successor to FWX from 2004. Darkness In A Different Light is particularly noticeable because of the absence of keys (so indispensable in prog). That makes Fates Warning a much rougher band than the aforementioned style mates, with two lead guitars that both rock and play together in a refined way. Singer Ray Alder has a real hard rock line but is also the weak link. His singing is melodious but sometimes lacks energy and eventually starts to sound uniform. Darkness In A Different Light is therefore primarily a guitar record with a solid variety of solid material and dreamy ballads. (MR)more
