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Quite possibly one of the most influential progressive metal acts in the scene today, FATES WARNING virtually created the genre back in 1984 by combining elements of pure metal and traditional prog rock. Now with the release of the bands 10th studio album, "FWX", the band has once again done what they do best… create some of the most prolific prog metal songs in the scene!
In 2003 fans of progressive rock & metal were treated to a U.S. tour that took almost fifteen years to come together. In the summer of 2003 Fates was invited to join Dream Theater and Queensryche for what would become one their most successful tours to date. As far as Jim Matheos, Ray Alder and journeyman bassist Joey Vera were concerned, FATES WARNING would be the opening act on a national tour that would shine the spotlight squarely on co-headliners Dream Theater and Queensryche. Much to the band's delight, they were able to reach a whole new and very appreciative audience. Accolades for the band reached fever pitch during the tour with new fans embracing the band on every tour stop. This excitement has rejuvenated FATES WARNING and you can clearly hear it on FWX, as the return of the more aggressive side of Fates has breathed new life into the recording of FWX. Produced by guitarist Jim Matheos and vocalist Ray Alder, FWX is the best of FATES WARNING flexing their creativity combined with a new sense of purpose and drive.
Having spent the last few years on opposite ends of the country working with their other projects, Fates Warning once again found themselves in rural Connecticut at The Carriage House to begin the recording process of FWX. This time around recording was slightly different. Fates Warning recorded the drums, as always, with an engineer at a "real" studio but this time all the overdubs were recorded at Jim Matheos' home studio. "This gave us lots of time and the freedom to experiment with sounds and ideas," states Matheos. For the mix Fates Warning headed back to The Carriage House with engineer Phil Magnotti who worked with the band on their previous release "Disconnected". The writing process was also somewhat different than previous albums as Matheos started the lyrics first. "After last years tour with Dream Theater and Queensryche I spent some time in Seattle and then took about a week to drive home to NH. I started writing lyrics, or at least song sketches during this time," states Matheos. Upon his arrival back in NH he started working on the music and once that was finished he went back to his original lyrics/ideas and started working them into songs. The finished product is 10 of the most mind-blowing songs the band have written to date.
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