Progarchives, the progressive rock ultimate discography
Fates Warning - Perfect Symmetry CD (album) cover

PERFECT SYMMETRY

Fates Warning

 

Progressive Metal

4.13 | 469 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

Bj-1
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
5 stars You could consider Fates Warning as an Iron Maiden clone back in their good old heavy metal days, but when the years was getting closer to 1990, Fates Warning got more complex and sophisticated, turning away from their progressive-ish heavy metal sound and heading toward their real Progressive Metal phase which stayed with them throughout their current career. I would say that "Perfect Symmetry" was their true start for them into Prog-Metal, though "No Exit", their previous release, reminds more of this one than some of their early 80's works. This one, however, stated that they would become a permanent Prog-Metal band better than "No Exit". Drummer Mark Zonder joined them for this release and does a superb job behind the kit, performing some really interesting drum fills and complex time signatures equal to FW's complex music. His tasty drumming style was perfect for FW's style and he remains one of my favorite drummers in prog-metal.

Kevin Moore of Dream Theater contributes the few keyboard parts for this album, something that was relatively new for Fates Warning at that time, but it really works well on the album. There are also violin parts here on "At Fates Hands" and "Chasing Time" putting a rather beautiful mood for the album along with the acoustic guitar parts. The album overall has a dark, but relaxing atmosphere though the more frantic parts raises the atmosphere into a more regular Prog-Metal mood. Instrumentally, this album is tight and steady, no flaws at all in the bands playing, showing that Fates Warning really are a group of great musicians. The song writing is fine as well and songs like "At Fates Hands" and "Nothing Left to say" are both among FW's finest songs. Except for that, songs like "The Arena" is more straightforward and less interesting but still very good nevertheless.

Definitely one of the most influential albums in the early progmetal scene along with WatchTower's 'Control & Resitance', and it's importance along with the brilliant music earns this one a master rating.

Bj-1 | 5/5 |

MEMBERS LOGIN ZONE

As a registered member (register here if not), you can post rating/reviews (& edit later), comments reviews and submit new albums.

You are not logged, please complete authentication before continuing (use forum credentials).

Forum user
Forum password

Share this FATES WARNING review

Social review comments () BETA







Review related links

Copyright Prog Archives, All rights reserved. | Legal Notice | Privacy Policy | Advertise | RSS + syndications

Other sites in the MAC network: JazzMusicArchives.com — jazz music reviews and archives | MetalMusicArchives.com — metal music reviews and archives

Donate monthly and keep PA fast-loading and ad-free forever.