LIVE OVER EUROPE

To my taste, this band is much more organic and enjoyable compared to other bands in this genre. The absence of keyboards is a plus, as some prog metal bands tend to rely on too much schmaltz with their electronic oscillators blips and bleeps. I prefer the keys/guitar balance achieved by Redemption which happens to have employed the same vocalist for many years. The setlist is heavily weighted toward newer material which is appropriate. It should be noted that the vocals and guitar on this live recording are excellent. Overall nicely balanced and heavy. The band knows how to write and perform hard rock/metal with a melodic sense and shows why they have lasted for decades in a fickle industry of hyped up acts which are more superficial. 4.5 stars.

Fates Warning is one of the bigger names in the progressive metal genre and I bought this triple live lp to get to know the band. This release has been getting some great reviews and it is easy to see why; it's a well recorded live album spread over three vinyls, giving a good overview of the career of the band. Fates Warning has the sound of mid-eighties British metal band, without any glam or pomp. Riff based, thick leads and fairly melodic. The twin guitars give the band a thick sound, whereas the absence of keyboards gives the music a natural rock feel. Ray Alder his voice has matured a lot and though he doesn't sing his highest notes like before, he does have a warm and powerful voice. This the type of professional group that executes perfectly what they have in mind, giving perfect performances of all tracks here. However, I myself can't help being a bit unmoved by this band. There are few moment that stand out, that really grasp me or are daring compared to the other tracks. The band started with a heavy dose of Iron Maiden influences, but there's little of that musical story-telling type of song- writing here. Furthermore, Fates Warning doesn't come across as being that much of a progressive band. Not in a way a band like Voivod or even Threshold is. Perhaps it's just not my taste. My personal verdict is a three star rating, but let me say it is probably worth more to fans of the band and progressive metal in general. Another very solid vinyl release by InsideOut.