Fates Warning – Long Day Good Night

Fates Warning

‘Long Day, Good Night’

Metal Blade Records

Progressive Metal

FFO: Arch/Matheos, Psychotic Waltz, John Arch, Redemption, Crimson Glory, Circle II Circle

Not enough credit is given to Fates Warning, the band is often criminally overlooked for their influence on progressive metal with ‘Awaken the Guardian’ and ‘Spectres’ being cornerstones of not only Fates Warning but also the genre. For the last 20 years, Fates Warning have been held within their own golden age and their last album ‘Theories of Flight’ was superb. But, that was four years ago and this year has Fates Warning returning with their latest album ‘Long Day Good Night’.

                As anyone would expect, with ‘Long Day…’ Fates Warning come out swinging and once again the band deliver a superb album that shows that Fates Warning are displaying no signs of ending their golden run. From the off, ‘Long Day…’ sets its stall out and much like the previous two albums, ‘Long Day…’ is a slow burner; this is an album which broods with emotion as vocalist Ray Alder once again demonstrates just how good his voice is. Alder has a voice which oozes style and panache, leaving the listener debating as to why he so often overlooked; but ultimately, Alder provides the colour to an already excellent canvas. Tracks like ‘Scars’, ‘When Snow Falls’ and ‘Glass Houses’ are superb modern progressive metal classics; whilst the ‘The Longest Shadow of the Day’ is an exceptional piece of virtuosity which caresses the apex of what Fates Warning are actually capable of. However, this is quite a long album, pushing over 72 minutes, it can be a slight tour de force being over 20 minutes longer than the bands previous album, but thankfully, with something this good and interesting, time is of no real concern.

                ‘Long Day…’ has been certainly worth the wait, Fates Warning have once again hit the nail on the head with an album that is actually nothing short of a masterpiece. Any self-respecting fan of progressive metal should acquire this for their collection because without it, that collection would be lacking, not just one of the best progressive metal albums of the year, but also one best albums of the year in general.

Adam McCann