Fates Warning Profile

Starting out as a conventional power metal band, Fates Warning would turn into a highly-creative progressive metal band. Since its formation in 1982, the Connecticut band has become one of the top-tier bands in the genre, with several critically acclaimed albums to their name. Throughout their career, Fates Warning hasn’t succumbed to the temptations of mainstream appeal by changing their core sound.

Fates Warning, originally called Misfits, formed in 1982 in Hartford, Connecticut. The band released their debut album, Night On Bröcken, in 1984. Leaning more towards a power metal style ala Iron Maiden, the band began to open up to add in more progressive elements on the 1985 follow-up The Spectre Within. 1986’s Awaken The Guardian is considered the band’s best album by many fans, with longer songs and more intricate songwriting.

John Arch would leave Fates Warning in 1987, prior to the recording of their fourth album. Ray Alder was chosen as his replacement, with his first contribution to the band being 1988’s No Exit.

The early ‘90s were a time of change for Fates Warning, as more melody was incorporated into their sound. 1991’s Parallels sold well behind singles “Eye To Eye” and “Point Of View.” However, throughout it all, the band kept the progressive sound of their late 80s output.

In 1996, long-standing guitarist Frank Aresti and bassist Joe DiBiase left the band. Jim Matheos and Joey Vera replaced both musicians at their respective instruments. 1997’s A Pleasant Shade Of Grey was a 50-plus minute song divided into 12 parts, with a positive response emitted from progressive metal fans.

After the release of their 2004 album Fates Warning X, drummer Mark Zonder left. The remaining band members decided to work on their own side-projects. Ray Alder is the singer for Redemption, Jim Matheos is performing with OSI, and Joey Vera is playing with his other full-time band, Armored Saint.

Dream Theater, Redemption, Symphony X

Ray Alder - Vocals (Engine, Redemption)
Jim Matheos - Guitar (OSI, John Arch, Gordian Knot)
Joey Vera - Bass (Armored Saint, Anthrax, OSI, John Arch, Engine, Jack Frost, Seven
Witches)

John Arch - Vocals (1982-1987)
Victor Arduini - Guitar (1982-1986)
Frank Aresti - Guitar (1986-1996)
Joe DiBiase - Bass (1982-1996)
Steve Zimmerman - Drums (1982-1988)
Mark Zonder - Drums (1988-2004)

1984 Night On Bröcken (Metal Blade)
1985 The Spectre Within (Metal Blade)
1986 Awaken The Guardian (Metal Blade)
1988 No Exit (Metal Blade)
1989 Perfect Symmetry (Metal Blade)
1991 Parallels (Metal Blade)
1994 Inside Out (Metal Blade)
1997 A Pleasant Shade Of Grey (Metal Blade)
1998 Still Life (Metal Blade)
2000 Disconnected (Metal Blade)
2004 Fates Warning X (Metal Blade)

Awaken The Guardian
The last album with original vocalist John Arch, Fates Warning’s third album pushed the band into progressive metal territory, taking the next logical step from The Spectre Within. With the exception of the short interlude “Time Long Past,” not one track was under five minutes. The mystical lyrical content was in full force and Arch put in his best performance with the band.