review: Fates Warning -- U.S. progressive heavy metal

Fates Warning

Long Day Good Night

Metal Blade Records

6 November 2020

1. The Destination Onward 08:12

2. Shuttered World 05:13

3. Alone We Walk 04:43

4. Now Comes the Rain 04:14

5. The Way Home 07:43

6. Under the Sun 05:49

7. Scars 05:04

8. Begin Again 04:05

9. When Snow Falls 04:15

10. Liar 04:23

11. Glass Houses 03:35

12. The Longest Shadow of the Day 11:29

13. The Last Song 03:50

01:12:35

Pioneers of progressive heavy metal proper, Fates Warning is one of the oldest names in the genre, with the beginnings going back to 1982, and with a discography that puts them amongst the most important names if we are talking anything involving the words “progressive” and “metal.” In a career that has lasted well more than three decades, sometimes their music has been progressive thrash or power metal, sometimes it has been very proggy, sometimes more metal, sometimes less metal, and the like. Therefore, let’s cut to the chase as quickly as possible. The situation in 2020 is that they keep the music to the center. It’s a very smart approach that has plenty (just look at the running time) for fans of the different eras. The album is way too much to understand with just one listen or two, and the songwriting is by far the most appealing aspect. Lots, many things to dive into. The singing is noteworthy, as always, as it is one of the main things that keeps many fans engaged with the progressive material. Every fan hoping for a balance between catchy melodies in the context of pensive metal should be happy. This album at this point in their career is just one example of why the band is held in such high regard amongst the fans of classic prog metal.

Long Day Good Night by Fates Warning