[.ca] The Spectre Within

The Spectre Within:
I've been a Fates Warning fan since the beginning. The Spectre within is without a doubt my favorite Fates Warning Album. If you've never had a chance to listen to them, this CD is worth checking out!

Kind of a stinker:
I'm a big Fates Warning fan, but this album is certainly not their best work. The tunes are bloated and John Arch, who has a tendency to go a bit over the top, goes way over the top with his vocals on this one. If you want classic Arch-era Fates, stick with Awaken the Guardian.

Early Fates Rules!!...This Is Classic!!:
I love Fates Warning, and this CD is incredible!! I like this more than "Awaken". This sounds very Maidenisc, and at the same time has it's own unique sound. It's very powerful, and melodic. Every song stands out on this one. If your a Fates fan, and have been skeptical about purchacing any old Fates, don't worry......"Spectre Within" is incredible. I like old Fates because it's not commercialized the way their new stuff is. You can hear the beginning of greatness while listening to this masterpiece. There isn't one stinker on this, and if you like Heavy Metal, your sure to love "Spectre Within" This is my favorite Fates Warning CD, and I have them all.....

Best Album Ever:
John Arch is God and this is the greatest album ever made in the history of the entire universe.

A Band Showing Enormous Potential (Mid 80s recording):
This was Fates Warning's second album. At the time the album was released, the term 'Progressive Metal' hadn't really entered the English language in any substantial or meaningful way. Listening to the first track, one could tell there was something very special brewing! 'Traveller in Time' was an exceptional choice as an opener, and is still among the best compositions this band has written. This album showcases the band's first use of odd meter and 'power polychords' i.e. playing G5 over E5 on separate guitars with distortion to make an E-7 sound. These techniques would become somewhat a Fates Warning signature on most of their future releases. Although this album has some exceptional moments, one can hear very strong Iron Maiden influences in many of the songs, particularly the use of 'galloping' rhythmic figures and John Arch's occasional Bruce Dickinson vocal inflections and timbre. Also, one occasionally hears interludes that are reminiscent of some of the more awkward moments on 'Night on Brocken', their debut album. As a mid-80s metal album (forget prog. for the moment), this is an exceptional release. As a progressive rock/metal album it is best described as 'emerging'. For anyone who wants an excellent audio documentation of very well written mid-80s metal influenced in equal parts by the 'New Wave of British Heavy Metal' and progressive rock, this is a highly recommended release.

• Traveler in Time
• Orphan Gypsy
• Without a Trace
• Pirates of the Underground
• Apparition
• Kyrie Eleison
• Epitaph