THE SPECTRE WITHIN

Second album from Fates Warning and a much better result. The production is strong and clear which is not self-evident, some albums from the mid-eighties have bloody awful sound. The songs are longer, the average length is 7 minutes and the closing epic "Epitaph" is over 11 minutes long without getting at all boring.

The most distinct feature is John Arch's vocals and his unique voice. He John has the most beautiful, intense, incredible, gorgeous, perfect voice in progressive metal, and the music and lyrics of the songs match his voice perfectly. The vocal lines are something totally insane, it's nearly impossible to imagine how he was able to create such complex melodies. The vocal themes sometimes more twisted than the song itself. Best evidenced on 'Traveller in Time' or 'The Apparition'. The intro of 'Pirates of the Underground' is a prog-metal dream which is followed by a strong Sabbath-ish riff.

This is one of those albums every progmetal fan should have. A shining star on the sky of progressive power metal. (A brief explanation: In the 80s, the genre power metal meant that it is much more powerful, more heavier than heavy metal bands, but they're not faster nor more aggressive. Some classic power metal bands: Jag Panzer, Helstar, Metal Church,... . There is no connection with the neoclassical so-called power/prog bands such as Angra or Rhapsody)

The remastered version contains 4 meaningless bonustracks, why do labels add rehersal and demo tracks of the same songs are already on the album in proper version?

Highlights: Traveller in Time, Without a Trace, The Apparition, Epitaph

8.5/10