A TWIST OF FATE (EP)

John Arch first musical offer under his name is this EP issued in 2003 named a twist of fate. He is helped by his friend and ex band mate from Fates Warning the excellent guitarist Jim Matheos, on drums is the omni present Mike Portnoy and Joy Vera on bass who will become after this album a permanent Fates Warning bassist. A strong line up, almost a second incarnation of Fates Warning, even the musical arrangements and even John Arch voice are very same with FW musical style, the old FW manner. I'm not a particulary fan of JA voice, he is a good singer, but sometimes he is quite irritating here. Only two pieces grace this EP - Relentless and Cheyenne. I'm more fond of the first piece who is a good prog metal tune very much like what Fates Warning done with him behind the mic, around 1986. Jim Matheos is the man behind thsese two pieces, some good guitar chops, the rest are ok but hardly impressive. The second tune is ok, but really nothing special about, I can't see or hear the thrill many reviewers see in this record. Good prog metal and nothing more, keeping in mind that these 4 musicins are among the best in bussnes. 3 stars, the art work and overall package is more intresting then music itself.