FWX

FWX has an attractive title but finds the band in the music identity crisis. Though it does have a couple of good melodies such as on the Incubus-like sounding "Another perfect day" it's hard to attribute the recording to Fates Warning without hearing the voice or having the cover album in front of you. The band has never been that close to alternative rock that sometimes pretends to be metal because of chugging guitars. The sound is more polished without progressive decorations letting more traditional rock composition to dominate. Even having said all that, it's far from disaster. The material is average, playing is decent. Definitely a let down for progressive metal listeners and an opportunity for the new generation of FW fans or maybe their girfriends to start accepting this band?