FATES WARNING - PERFECT SYMMETRY - Sternstunde of Prog-Metal

I must confess that Perfect Symmetry will always keep a special place in my FATES WARNING collection, it was my first board this great band. It fascinated me already then, the interplay between clean, plucked guitar (of tape head JIM MATHEOS) on the one hand and the often underlying distorted metal riffs (from FRANK ARESTI) on the other side. In addition, FATES WARNING played already at that time more often than other bands with opposite dynamics and rhythm changes (with new drummer MARK ZONDER - the more variable and plays sensitive than its predecessor STEVE ZIMMERMAN - and bassist Joe DiBiase) and different moods. And about enthroned the vocals of Ray Alder - divine.

But not only the instrumental skills make FATES WARNING and Perfect Symmetry at a great moment of prog metal, also the songwriting on this CD is consistently high class: this JIM MATHEOS and FRANK ARESTI work never to the popular prog slogan how many notes can I play in the shortest possible time (the YNGWIE MALMSTEEN also indulges), instead of each song is very complex structure, so that the initial mood is not always must be, that leaves the song at the end. The melodies are always resumed and further developed. Of the delayed opening riffs in PART OF THE MACHINE over the nested yet catchy THROUGH DIFFERENT EYES to not as static but rather very varied STATIC ACTS and ultimately to accusatory A WORLD APART.

The second half of the album starts with the hesitant, cautious Acoustic Guitar Parts (backed by piano and violin) from AT FATES HANDS that then, to an instrumental duel between guitars and guest keyboardist Kevin Moore (ex-DREAM THEATER OSI) developed; via the rather straighte (for FW ratios) THE ARENA for quiet but insistent CHASING TIME (already a few songs from QUEENSRYCHEs Promised Land phase takes such BRIDGE anticipated) to the crowning Nothing Left to Say that again all musical threads, who FATES WARNING spun on the album, resumes and brings together in one track.

Given the fact that Queensryche just shortly before Operation Mindcrime had published, FATES WARNING would be a similar success certainly have been desirable. But this PS is compared to OM simply too bulky, as that is also simple "Heavy Metal fans can get into it. It is precisely rhythms and universal songs you could not find with a magnifying glass, the more impressive because the band for the production of the album needed just two months and the four years and METALLICA BLACK ALBUM half years were a time when bands like Def Leppard for HYSTERIA for her in the studio. But it shows PERFECT SYMMETRY second to none at the sound of producer Roger PROBERT sounds .. very transparent, yet powerful, this may be because that FATES WARNING probably already perfectly prepared went into the studio and there "only" had to recoup their passages So a can of "man thinking's heavy metal band" definitely not be blamed:

"Weary and Weakened, victims fall prey
to vague ideal and passionless play.
Systematic spontaneity in synchronized society. "

Now there are PERFECT SYMMETRY (as previously NIGHT ON Bröcken, The Spectre Within, Awaken The Guardian, No Exit, A Pleasant Shade of Gray, INSIDE OUT and DISCONNECTED missing actually only Parallels STILL LIFE) as a remastered SPECIAL EDITION, the for any fan of the band is an absolute must.

In addition to sound slightly improved the original CD package comes with a bonus CD containing all of the pieces are once more as demos on it. PART OF THE MACHINE and NOTHING LEFT TO SAY are even represented twice. This has been a bit of what "search the error in the left image," because the differences from the studio recording are marginal. In addition, the sound is unfortunately very limited (as compared: the demos sound like the first 20 seconds of PART OF THE MACHINE)

But what makes the Special Edition is an absolute must buy the supplied DVD. It is more than two and a half hours of video from the PERFECT SYMMETRY phase of five live performances of the band, including the first European gig in Amsterdam 16.12.1989. The quality of the course is not too high because the concerts only from one location and with a camera (probably Video-8) have been included. Presumably, the sound man had to take care of the mixing console in addition to the camera, for example, when recording from Allentown. This can lead to ever so funny situations that the camera has to look from time to time by Ray Alder, or Joe DiBiase simply smuggles into the picture.

But given the fact that there are hardly any recordings from that time otherwise, the fan is gracious and pleased about every scrap. Especially in addition to the pieces of Perfect Symmetry also classics like mirage, The Apparition, EXODUS (all of Awaken The Guardian), DAMNATION (of NIGHT ON Bröcken) ANARCHY DIVINE and THE IVORY GATES OF DREAMS-section Quietus (both of NO EXIT ) will be presented live. As I said, the quality could be better, but that makes the band with a lot of enthusiasm made up for it. Also impressive is how precisely along the band plays.

The special edition is therefore a must for any followers of the band. But who are just interested in the sophisticated music and especially rock music, you should listen in Perfect Symmetry. But be careful: There is absolute addictive!