FATES WARNING
Disconnected
Metal Blade Records
www.fateswarning.com

What’s the 4-1-1?
Seminal progressive metal stalwarts who virtually created the genre back in 1984 by combining elements of pure metal, classically inspired crescendos and interludes with jazz fusion like chops (Their words, not mine).

Genre
Progressive metal

The Good
The disc's first single "One" continues the vibe from their last studio CD, the 74 minute opus A Pleasant Shade of Grey. It's packed with plenty of melodic peaks and valleys. Progressive sounds overtake the intro to "So". This track is a little heavier on the riffage, but lays down such an infectious melody and chorus that I was singing along after the second verse. There are plenty of tempo changes within each song, but Fates Warning seem to make them effortless and appropriate. What would a prog-metal disc be without a 10+ minute epic? "Something From Nothing" is the track showcased here. The emotion is set forth by Alder's powerful, sustaining, melodic vocals. Let's not forget "Still Remains" which clocks in at 16+ minutes. "Disconnect Part II" closes out the CD with a movie soundtrack quality. I picture it playing over a tense slow-motion shot of our hero contemplating what will happen next, just before his final showdown.

The Bad
Nothing

The Verdict
It’s another classic prog-rock album from Fates Warning. I'm sure it's a concept disc with a common theme, as most are, but I stopped trying to figure them out long ago. That's up to you.

Did You Know?
In their time off from Fates Warning, guitarist Jim Matheos released a fusion CD titled, Away with Words, and vocalist Ray Alder chose a heavier rock sound with the band Engine.

Rating: out of 5

--George Dionne