Fates Warning Interview
Saturday, October 17, 2015 at 12:01AM Fates Warning is an 80s progressive band we rarely mention around here. I just interviewed singer Ray Alder for the Dayton City Paper and I thought you might enjoy the piece as well. Here's the story - and you can finish reading it on the DCP site.
“We are certainly going to play a few things we haven’t done in a very long time! Hopefully there will be a few surprises for some,” Fates Warning vocalist Ray Alder excitedly tells the Dayton City Paper. The progressive metal act will roll into Oddbody’s on Wednesday, Oct. 21. Imminent Sonic Destruction and 80 Proof will provide support.
Connecticut-based Fates Warning is touring America this fall to gin up excitement for the re-release of their classic album A Pleasant Shade of Gray. The concept album was originally released in 1997. The album is actually one long song, broken into 12 pieces. Now, 18 years later, the band’s former label Metal Blade is reissuing the disc.
“Metal Blade has been re-releasing our albums with a re-mastered CD as well as rare live cuts and video from that specific album,” explains Alder. “I think it’s pretty nice to have something you’ve owned before and have it come out again sounding even better, as well as having something you didn’t know existed from that album, like demos or a rare video of a concert.”
Reissues are another way for bands to make money. In an age when new music doesn’t really equal album sales, bands fortunate enough to have a long history and fan base can often cash in again on past brilliance. The diehards will buy an old album again to maintain a complete collection, and new fans will often choose the reissued work for remastered sound and all the rare cuts. Basically, it’s a win-win for everyone. Still, Fates Warning isn’t a band to just look back. Instead, members are actively working on new tunes. Alder says the band is nearly done writing and expects to be in the studio by December. He hopes the new album will be ready for release around May.
In a 2013 interview with the Dallas Observer, Alder reflected on the band’s progressive metal label.
“It’s a label we’ve been given,” he said. “I’ll take it. It doesn’t piss me off, but I don’t think about us as a metal band. We are a heavy rock band, although the term heavy metal seems dated to me. I don’t want to dismiss anybody or any genre. I don’t know if there is a correct term for us.”
Progressive, metal, rock or otherwise, Fates Warning is in great company. Most critics and fans lump the band in with big names like Dream Theater, Queensryche and even Rush.
Reader Comments (6)
Always appreciate it when you share your work with us.
Quick question Allyson: is 80 Proof any good? Always interested in cover bands that bring the hits from the 80s. Not a high-profile gig (usually). But always fun in a pinch.
Keep up the great work!!! And thank you for sharing.
As far as the Monroe and Hardcore Superstar tour, when is it being announcing, for me that's a no brainer, I'd be there in a heartbeat.
We more than likely have Michael Monroe to thank for whispering into Chump's ear to get Hardcore Superstar in the first place, as I doubt Chumpy Wumpy ever heard of them as they just seem outside his comfort level of pre-approved bands he always touts.