SYMPATHETIC RESONANCE

Now to review the latest Fates Warning.....err I mean the newly formed band Arch/Matheos' album Sympathetic Resonance. It would be easy to call this a Fates Warning album since all the current members are part of this project with the exception of vocalist Ray Alder. Instead of Alder its original Fates Warning vocalist (and in my opinion the better of the two) John Arch. While his vocal style may not appeal to all, there is no doubt that this man can sing. Between the EP he released in 2003 and now this full length he hasn't lost any of his vocal prowess he displayed 25 years ago on the last Fates Warning album he did. There's complex vocal passages, soaring harmonies and an impressive vocal range on display here. Also making a return is the Fantasy themed lyrics that fit his voice so well. John Arch without a doubt steals the show on this album, but the rest of the band is no slouch. Jim Matheos is one of the best song-writers out there, and between him and Frank Aresti the guitars are quite pleasing. Acoustic passages, heavy riffs, and blazing solo's are all testament to the talent these guys have. Just listen to the first few minutes of Stained Glass Sky. Or any of the other songs for that matter. Then you have Bobby Jarzombek on drums, who can pretty much play anything and keep it interesting. In the end this is what I would imagine Fates Warning would sound like today had John Arch never left. Then again this pretty much is Fates Warning....

92/100