NO EXIT

This album marks a transitional period for Fates Warning. Singer John Arch had left the band after their Awaken The Guardian album and tour so this marks the first album the band released with Ray Alder. I consider Alder to be one of my favorite vocalists in the prog metal genre (as well as underrated), but this album he seems to be singing in a higher range than his voice is suited for. Most likely this is due to the fact the bulk of the material (perhaps the entire album) was written prior to Alder's joining the band.

Musically, it doesn't differ terribly from Awaken The Guardian. The first two tracks (album intro "No Exit" track aside), "Anarchy Divine" and "Silent Cries", are very thrash-metal inspired tunes, as is "Shades of Heavenly Dreams". Though in typical Fates fashion, with "Shades of Heavenly Dreams" in particular, the band break off into extended instrument passages that leave you wondering what direction the song will next take. "In a Word" is quite a memorable ballad that is a welcome break from the frantic riffing of the other tracks, probably one of my favorite songs off the album along with "Anarchy Divine".

The remaining tracks of the album form the "Ivory Gate of Dreams", probably the most ambitious piece the band has recorded at the time. While the indivdual parts are interesting, together they do not flow as well as some of their other longer pieces found on later albums. My favorite pieces of this "suite" are "Quietus", "Whisper on The Wind" and "Acquiescence", all of which lie in the second half of "Ivory Gate of Dreams".

Overall, this album is not essential Fates Warning, but it is still an interesting listen. In later albums, both Ray Alder would find his voice and as the band writes with Alder's voice in mind, the material gets much stronger.