The Official Fates Warning thread v. Elsydeon hasn’t been around

[jjrock88]

Wait till you listen to "The Light and Shade of Things" off Theories of Flight.  I'm a big fan of every FW album and song, but this is my favorite song out of their entire discography.

[bosk1]

Theories of Flight was my album of the year last year.  And that should be saying something coming from someone who (1) wouldn't really consider themselves a Fates Warning "fan" and (2) had previously never not voted Dream Theater in a release year as having album of the year going back through SFAM.

[abydos]

Sidenote, if you're gonna go into Vanden Plas (something I fully support as their 1997 - 2006 period is among the best, albeit a little more traditional, prog metal, imo), you must check out their singer's solo band Abydos as well.

[The Walrus]

Sounds like Theories of Flight is where it's at. How does this band (apparently) get better with age? Sheesh. I'll likely put it on tonight at the gym.

Sidenote, if you're gonna go into Vanden Plas (something I fully support as their 1997 - 2006 period is among the best, albeit a little more traditional, prog metal, imo), you must check out their singer's solo band Abydos as well.

I actually ordered Beyond Daylight last week and it should be in my mailbox right now - if not, hopefully tomorrow - along with some other CDs. And I like Christ 0 a lot, too. Like Arch/Matheos after FW, I'll remember to check out Abydos after VP 

[emtee]

Here is Jarzombek showing his studio work on Arch/Matheos. This is part 1. He has 2 more parts that you can click on.

The dude is a monster on the drums.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgVu9lMter4

[romdrums]

Kattleox, it's cool that you are discovering Fates Warning!  Such a great band.

I go back to late 91/early 92 with these guys.  I saw the video for Point of View on Headbangers Ball and I was hooked.  Ended up buying Parallels on cassette in early 92, and then later getting The Spectre Within and Perfect Symmetry.  Fates Warning was actually how I ended up discovering Dream Theater.  I remember seeing James' name in the liner notes for Parallels, and then Kevin Moore as the keyboardist on At Fates Hands, and I knew I would have to keep an eye out for them as well.  Being a drummer, Mark Zonder's drumming was a huge deal for me back then, and I still find his drumming to be some of the most unique and left-of-center metal drumming ever.  I never really got into their John Arch stuff, though I need to remedy that and grab Awaken the Guardian as well as A Twist of Fate and Arch/Matheos.  Some random thoughts:

-Inside Out is by far my least favorite of the Alder era.  Felt to me like it was Parallels left-overs, save Monument, which is one of their all time best tunes.

-Loved APSOG when it came out, now, not quite as much.  However, the live performance on Still Life really takes it up a notch for me.

-Disconnected is awesome top to bottom, and Still Remains is the best thing they've ever written.

-A Handful of Doubt is the best track on X. 

-Darkness in a Different Light was a cool return, but the lead guitar tones were weak.

-Theories of Flight is amazing, and for me, up with Parallels and Disconnected as my top three.

[The Walrus]

@romdrums... I did some quick Metal Archives sleuthing just now after reading your post. I had no idea KevMo was involved with two of the band's albums, and lyrics on a later song. Small world... surprised I didn't know that, guess I'm not as big a KevMo fan as I previously thought.

I'm curious to hear everyone's thoughts on the band now that I'm catching up. What do all of you think about the change from Arch to Alder, and the shift in style? When do you think they really got a hold on the prog side of their music; if you were following them in the 80s and 90s, what did you think of their progression with each album? Why was there such a drought in material between FWX and Darkness... and why did Mark Zonder leave the band?

[Lethean]

I heard Ray era Fates Warning first, and listened to the Arch stuff later. I'm a much bigger fan of the Ray era not only prefer his voice but I prefer the music as well.

I think the departure of Mark Zonder had a little to do with the long hiatus, but also during that time Ray was in Redemption and Jim Matheos was doing other stuff as well. I remember reading an interview where he said they never intended for it to be 9 years, but it just kinda happened.

Even though Theories of Flight was not my album of the year,  it's a fantastic album and The Light and Shade of Things was definitely my favorite song of the year.

[Samsara]

When Alder joined, it shifted Fates toward a more melodic prog metal style, one that I personally prefer.

Musically, the journey is mostly Jim Matheos'. Just like any songwriter who has been lucky enough to helm a band in this genre (Chris DeGarmo from Queensryche 1981-1997, John Petrucci from Dream THeater, etc.), the band musically emulates the natural evolution of the main guy(s).

Jim is really into ambient music, and if you checked out his solo stuff, you'd easily hear it. I love the way Fates has evolved, honestly. For me personally, I got into them a little later, so I had the luxury of doing what you're doing now, back in 2004 (I got into them in 2003). It's a hell of a ride, and they are continually getting better.

I also like this current lineup a great deal. I think Bobby brings a metal tinge to the band that it needs to balance out the melodic approach. Loved Zonder, but he was more of a feel guy. Guitar-wise, it is all Jim really, after Inside Out. There are a few solos here and there from others, but mostly all Jim.

I prefer when that is spread out with Frank Aresti. I think Aresti and Matheos really have distinct styles that really make the guitar tandem dynamic (much like original lineup Queensryche). On this last record, Aresti did...I think two solos, with Mike Abdow (touring lead player) doing one. They sound great. Just wish it was even more.

Aresti doesn't tour with them due to work considerations. Abdow is a New England guy who is incredible. Hell of a nice guy (they both are). But Fates is the four guys (Matheos-Alder-Vera-Jazormbek - apologies to Bobby on misspelling his name), plus Abdow as a touring member.

But the live lineup is STRONG, and studio-wise, I don't think Ray has sounded better since Parallels. After seeing them in 2003 twice with opening sets for QR/DT, I saw them in 2013 once, and Ray was great. Looking forward to January, when I see them twice as headliners. I am sure they will be just as powerful.

Re: Theories of Flight - I actually like Seven Stars the best. But The Light and Shade of Things is certainly in the top-3 or 4.

[The Walrus]

Ah, so FW is Matheos's baby, essentially. That's cool. I like bands that have a consistent 'leader' so to speak. I love ambient music so his solo stuff sounds interesting, I'm absolutely gonna check that out. Now I'm hoping I get a chance to see these guys live before it's too late (not that I have to worry about that, they seem like they're still going strong as hell).

I know Bobby's drumming, oddly, from an incredibly obscure project called Zierler. His drumming is amazing, so is that album, highly recommended to any prog metal fans who don't know them. It's a bizarre hour-or-more of challenging metal.

[Samsara]

The band evolved. Matheos started the group, and was always one of the major songwriters. But after Arch left, and then moreso after Perfect Symmetry, it evolved that way, yeah. Just recently Ray Alder has been the primary lyricist. Ray wrote most of the lyrics on Darkness in a Different LIght and Theories of Flight. Whereas before, Jim wrote a lot of lyrics. That's been a more recent shift.

I'm not sure of the business structure of the band, but if I had to guess, I'd guess both Jim and Ray are the main two guys.

[goo-goo]

Ah, so FW is Matheos's baby, essentially. That's cool. I like bands that have a consistent 'leader' so to speak. I love ambient music so his solo stuff sounds interesting, I'm absolutely gonna check that out. Now I'm hoping I get a chance to see these guys live before it's too late (not that I have to worry about that, they seem like they're still going strong as hell).

I know Bobby's drumming, oddly, from an incredibly obscure project called Zierler. His drumming is amazing, so is that album, highly recommended to any prog metal fans who don't know them. It's a bizarre hour-or-more of challenging metal.

I have Zierler and it's outstanding. Bobby's drumming is the highlight for me. He signed my Zierler copy during this last run of FW gigs in Texas.

You guys have to watch the documentary on the recording on Parallels. Pretty good stuff on how the band used to write.

As Samsara said, lyrics have been shifted to Ray and Matheos has been able to write some amazing music for Fates and outside of Fates. Tuesday the Sky is his post-rock project and it is pretty impressive. The last two OSI albums have been heavier and there's some great songs written with Moore there. Arch-Matheos' Sympathetic Resonance was just a home run overall. I think his shift to concentrate more on the music rather than the lyrics has been reflected on his last album recordings, whereas on  Paralles, PS, and Inside Out, you can see he was kind of pressured when writing lyrics. I think he addresses this on the Parallels DVD.

[Lethean]

Firewings OMG what's the Rush? Slow down. Take your time. Get to know the albums. They'll still be here tomorrow.

I love this band! I usually have a problem diving into bands with decades of material because if I dwell on a particular album, I am always dogged by this nagging thought: "What else am I missing out on? What's the other stuff sound like?" instead of focusing on the music. This way I can be familiar with all the albums, then I can zero in on one or two at a time from there. I had to take the very same approach with Helloween, Iced Earth, even Dream Theater once upon a time! I need to do it with Vanden Plas and Queensryche next...

Also I'm almost finished with Darkness In A Different Light, so... might as well go to Theories of Flight at the gym tonight 

I suppose that makes sense. I almost always need more time to absorb a new album - if I listen to something once, I could well dislike it, I very very rarely think it's great or have enough of an opinion to compare it to other albums by the same band. I don't think I could say I was familiar with all of the albums just listening once.  However, what I sometimes will do, is go on an obsessive quest to own all of their material as soon as possible - even if I know full well I'm not going to listen to all of it right away.

Don't do it with Queensryche - I don't mean don't ever do it, just don't do it next.  I think I've already given you a few recommendations, not that you have to listen to me.     (And they are quite different from FW and QR).  Also, how familiar are you with Rush?  'Cuz if you're not, you got some some work to do...

[Lethean]

Jim is really into ambient music, and if you checked out his solo stuff, you'd easily hear it. I love the way Fates has evolved, honestly. For me personally, I got into them a little later, so I had the luxury of doing what you're doing now, back in 2004 (I got into them in 2003). It's a hell of a ride, and they are continually getting better.

This was me, except I started getting into them in 2002.  Did you get into them because of the tour they did with DT and Queensryche?  For me, it was because someone gave me a cd with an FW track on it.

I prefer when that is spread out with Frank Aresti. I think Aresti and Matheos really have distinct styles that really make the guitar tandem dynamic (much like original lineup Queensryche). On this last record, Aresti did...I think two solos, with Mike Abdow (touring lead player) doing one. They sound great. Just wish it was even more.

I miss Aresti.  I dunno why, but I love watching him play.  Mike Abdow does a fine job.

[Lethean]

Ah, so FW is Matheos's baby, essentially. That's cool. I like bands that have a consistent 'leader' so to speak. I love ambient music so his solo stuff sounds interesting, I'm absolutely gonna check that out. Now I'm hoping I get a chance to see these guys live before it's too late (not that I have to worry about that, they seem like they're still going strong as hell).

If only someone had suggested that you go see them live when they toured earlier this year....

[The Walrus]

Ah, so FW is Matheos's baby, essentially. That's cool. I like bands that have a consistent 'leader' so to speak. I love ambient music so his solo stuff sounds interesting, I'm absolutely gonna check that out. Now I'm hoping I get a chance to see these guys live before it's too late (not that I have to worry about that, they seem like they're still going strong as hell).

If only someone had suggested that you go see them live when they toured earlier this year....

... oops 

[The Walrus]

Firewings OMG what's the Rush? Slow down. Take your time. Get to know the albums. They'll still be here tomorrow.

I love this band! I usually have a problem diving into bands with decades of material because if I dwell on a particular album, I am always dogged by this nagging thought: "What else am I missing out on? What's the other stuff sound like?" instead of focusing on the music. This way I can be familiar with all the albums, then I can zero in on one or two at a time from there. I had to take the very same approach with Helloween, Iced Earth, even Dream Theater once upon a time! I need to do it with Vanden Plas and Queensryche next...

Also I'm almost finished with Darkness In A Different Light, so... might as well go to Theories of Flight at the gym tonight 

I suppose that makes sense. I almost always need more time to absorb a new album - if I listen to something once, I could well dislike it, I very very rarely think it's great or have enough of an opinion to compare it to other albums by the same band. I don't think I could say I was familiar with all of the albums just listening once.  However, what I sometimes will do, is go on an obsessive quest to own all of their material as soon as possible - even if I know full well I'm not going to listen to all of it right away.

Don't do it with Queensryche - I don't mean don't ever do it, just don't do it next.  I think I've already given you a few recommendations, not that you have to listen to me.     (And they are quite different from FW and QR).  Also, how familiar are you with Rush?  'Cuz if you're not, you got some some work to do...

VP is definitely next after I hear Arch/Matheos, and then maybe Leprous/Queensryche/something else. I have four Rush albums but I don't know them well and don't know anything they've done in 30 years except Roll The Bones and I have nothing good to say about that song or the video. I don't mind Rush but they (from the albums I own) don't do much for me.

[PowerSlave]

Firewings OMG what's the Rush? Slow down. Take your time. Get to know the albums. They'll still be here tomorrow.

I love this band! I usually have a problem diving into bands with decades of material because if I dwell on a particular album, I am always dogged by this nagging thought: "What else am I missing out on? What's the other stuff sound like?" instead of focusing on the music. This way I can be familiar with all the albums, then I can zero in on one or two at a time from there. I had to take the very same approach with Helloween, Iced Earth, even Dream Theater once upon a time! I need to do it with Vanden Plas and Queensryche next...

Also I'm almost finished with Darkness In A Different Light, so... might as well go to Theories of Flight at the gym tonight 

I suppose that makes sense. I almost always need more time to absorb a new album - if I listen to something once, I could well dislike it, I very very rarely think it's great or have enough of an opinion to compare it to other albums by the same band. I don't think I could say I was familiar with all of the albums just listening once.  However, what I sometimes will do, is go on an obsessive quest to own all of their material as soon as possible - even if I know full well I'm not going to listen to all of it right away.

Don't do it with Queensryche - I don't mean don't ever do it, just don't do it next.  I think I've already given you a few recommendations, not that you have to listen to me.     (And they are quite different from FW and QR).  Also, how familiar are you with Rush?  'Cuz if you're not, you got some some work to do...

VP is definitely next after I hear Arch/Matheos, and then maybe Leprous/Queensryche/something else. I have four Rush albums but I don't know them well and don't know anything they've done in 30 years except Roll The Bones and I have nothing good to say about that song or the video. I don't mind Rush but they (from the albums I own) don't do much for me.

2112, Hemispheres, Moving Pictures and Signals. Do those four albums and you'll be hooked.

[TAC]

2112, Hemispheres, Moving Pictures and Signals. Do those four albums and you'll be hooked.

Hey, I like Signals as much as anybody, but I would NEVER start anyone there.

[Lethean]

Firewings OMG what's the Rush? Slow down. Take your time. Get to know the albums. They'll still be here tomorrow.

I love this band! I usually have a problem diving into bands with decades of material because if I dwell on a particular album, I am always dogged by this nagging thought: "What else am I missing out on? What's the other stuff sound like?" instead of focusing on the music. This way I can be familiar with all the albums, then I can zero in on one or two at a time from there. I had to take the very same approach with Helloween, Iced Earth, even Dream Theater once upon a time! I need to do it with Vanden Plas and Queensryche next...

Also I'm almost finished with Darkness In A Different Light, so... might as well go to Theories of Flight at the gym tonight 

I suppose that makes sense. I almost always need more time to absorb a new album - if I listen to something once, I could well dislike it, I very very rarely think it's great or have enough of an opinion to compare it to other albums by the same band. I don't think I could say I was familiar with all of the albums just listening once.  However, what I sometimes will do, is go on an obsessive quest to own all of their material as soon as possible - even if I know full well I'm not going to listen to all of it right away.

Don't do it with Queensryche - I don't mean don't ever do it, just don't do it next.  I think I've already given you a few recommendations, not that you have to listen to me.     (And they are quite different from FW and QR).  Also, how familiar are you with Rush?  'Cuz if you're not, you got some some work to do...

VP is definitely next after I hear Arch/Matheos, and then maybe Leprous/Queensryche/something else. I have four Rush albums but I don't know them well and don't know anything they've done in 30 years except Roll The Bones and I have nothing good to say about that song or the video. I don't mind Rush but they (from the albums I own) don't do much for me.

Which albums do you own?  Whichever ones they are, if you don't like them, you probably just haven't listened to them enough...    I'd be very curious if you started from the beginning with them and worked your way through, but I wouldn't suggest speed listening.  Even if you (foolishly) decide you don't like them, you'll have a better idea of where DT came from.  JP, JM, and JLB, and MP are all big Rush fans.  And Jim Matheos.  Come on, try it. All the cool people are doing it...

[The Walrus]

At the risk of derailing the FW thread, I dunno. I've tried to like Rush for 15 years. I can't deal with Geddy's voice. Singers tend to make or break bands for me, I have the exact same issue with Genesis and Yes. The albums I own... Moving Pictures, A Farewell To Kings, Fly By Night, and Hold Your Fire. Oh, and I've heard 2112 before. I like Temples of Syrinx? Does that count?

[PowerSlave]

2112, Hemispheres, Moving Pictures and Signals. Do those four albums and you'll be hooked.

Hey, I like Signals as much as anybody, but I would NEVER start anyone there.

It's a toss-up between that and Hemispheres as being my favorite Rush album.

[Lethean]

At the risk of derailing the FW thread, I dunno. I've tried to like Rush for 15 years. I can't deal with Geddy's voice. Singers tend to make or break bands for me, I have the exact same issue with Genesis and Yes. The albums I own... Moving Pictures, A Farewell To Kings, Fly By Night, and Hold Your Fire. Oh, and I've heard 2112 before. I like Temples of Syrinx? Does that count?

It totally counts. If you like that, there's no reason you won't like some more. . Not saying you have to listen to their whole catalog tomorrow, but you should so it at some point.

[Phoenix87x]

I'm curious to hear everyone's thoughts on the band now that I'm catching up. What do all of you think about the change from Arch to Alder, and the shift in style? When do you think they really got a hold on the prog side of their music; if you were following them in the 80s and 90s, what did you think of their progression with each album? Why was there such a drought in material between FWX and Darkness... and why did Mark Zonder leave the band?

I love arch's era, but if I absolutely had to choose it would be Alder's material. Arch's stuff is fun and rocking, but the later music they made truly means a lot to me on a deeper level.

The drought between FWX and darkness was FUCKING rough...     And me of all people literally got into the band in 2004 right as FWX came out. I was all like "oh, they are so great. I can't wait to hear what they do next" cut to NINE YEARS LATER 

I am also curious about why there was such a long gap

But anyway, thoughts on the latest albums discussed: 

APSOG - masterpiece, prog metal at its proggiest. I worship this album and its my favorite by FW and perhaps a top favorite album of all time 

Disconnected - I think I wore out my CD from how many times I spun this one. Its a little lop sided due to the two epics, but whatever. Still remains is up there as one of my favorite FW songs. Utterly inredible and I got to hear and see that shit live son, right up in front of JIM. FUCK YEAH.

FWX- The oddball album. This is the one FW album that no other sounds like. This was my first FW album along with awaken the guardian, so i didn't have anything else to go off of really, so I just went with it.  FWX sort of has an OSI vibe to it, and took me a whole lot of time to really appreciate, but I really like it a lot now.

Darkness and Theories. They are solid. Not my favorites. I enjoyed them when they came out and I am glad there were made. I really love White flags, seven stars, One thousand fires, Firefly, and into the black.

Anyway, I can't say how happy I am that they are active again. One of my favorite bands of all time. And one last thing I wanted to say is that I love Kevin moore's involvement in the band.

[Ben_Jamin]

I'm having trouble understanding APSOG's concept. Can someone shed some light for me?

[Cyclopssss]

I think it's just about a man contemplating his past life and (specifically) a past love.

[Samsara]

  Did you get into them because of the tour they did with DT and Queensryche?  For me, it was because someone gave me a cd with an FW track on it.

I had always known of Fates Warning. I never checked them out, and never really saw their videos back in the day (I didn't have cable regularly, so no MTV). My wife was absolutely flabbergasted when I told her I had never listened to Fates Warning. She wasn't an uber fan, but since we both shared a love of Queensryche, she felt it was only natural. I, stupidly, had always assumed (this should get a laugh), without hearing them, that Fates Warning was some sort of death metal band, and I wasn't interested in checking them out. Oops. 

I remember hearing "One" in 2003, live, and that sold me. Immediately. Just love the groove, love everything about it. I literally went out the next day and bought the entire catalog, and never looked back. Was lucky enough to see Fates twice on that tour. Interestingly enough, while Frank Aresti rejoined them on that tour, I didn't see Frank. I saw the QR/DT/FW tour in...I want to say it was late July, out on the West Coast. Both gigs Aresti was absent, I think because he had some work-related thing he needed to be back for. So my wife and I saw FW as a four-piece. They were two Nor Cal shows, if anyone else was there. I recall MP coming out at one of them and doing an OSI track...SHUTdown, if i remember right.

p.s. One of my biggest concert regrets was in 2006. Fates was playing two warm-up shows in So Cal before heading out to do the Rock Hard festival on June 4, 2006, in Germany.

The lineup for this tour was: Jim Matheos, Ray Alder, Joey Vera, Frank Aresti and Nick D'Virgillio
05/31/2006    Galaxy Theater. Santa Ana, California (with Three, Resistance, Hollowshell)
06/01/2006    The Knitting Factory. Hollywood, California (with Agent Steel, Ascension)

>>>>>>>>>>>I had an opportunity to see them both those shows, and just decided not to make the trek down, figuring they'd be back up North soon enough. Well, they didn't play another show near me until 7 years later in 2013 on the Darkness tour (which I attended). So this time around, in January, I'm not repeating the mistake. Going to multiple west coast shows. 

[Samsara]

VP is definitely next after I hear Arch/Matheos, and then maybe Leprous/Queensryche/something else. I have four Rush albums but I don't know them well and don't know anything they've done in 30 years except Roll The Bones and I have nothing good to say about that song or the video. I don't mind Rush but they (from the albums I own) don't do much for me.

When you're ready for Queensryche, click my signature, read the history, and then hit me up via PM. I'll set you on the right path...

[The Walrus]

I listened to Tuesday the Sky last night (before heading to the gym and hearing Theories of Flight). I'm a big fan of post rock and that was some seriously good music. I played it again while I had my coffee this morning. Jim Matheos is going to be a burden on my bank account. 

You got it Samsara

[bosk1]

VP is definitely next after I hear Arch/Matheos, and then maybe Leprous/Queensryche/something else. I have four Rush albums but I don't know them well and don't know anything they've done in 30 years except Roll The Bones and I have nothing good to say about that song or the video. I don't mind Rush but they (from the albums I own) don't do much for me.

When you're ready for Queensryche, click my signature, read the history, and then hit me up via PM. I'll set you on the right path...

I was going to offer something similar, but you are in good hands with Samsara.  He knows his stuff.  And his musical taste when it comes to Queensryche is mostly pretty sound.  When you get into the latter years after Promised Land, he has a few opinions that are questionable, but I forgive him for those. 

[goo-goo]

Jim Matheos is going to be a burden on my bank account. 

Yep, that's how its' been for me for many years now. He is probably my favorite all time musician. I have a man crush on the guy!

I do think Matheos has found his place with everything he is doing now. Seems like he is having a lot of fun when he is on stage now. He is smiling, making eye contact with the fans. Before this last two tours, he didn't like being on the spotlight. Kind of a not-so-extreme Robert Fripp guy.

[Samsara]

VP is definitely next after I hear Arch/Matheos, and then maybe Leprous/Queensryche/something else. I have four Rush albums but I don't know them well and don't know anything they've done in 30 years except Roll The Bones and I have nothing good to say about that song or the video. I don't mind Rush but they (from the albums I own) don't do much for me.

When you're ready for Queensryche, click my signature, read the history, and then hit me up via PM. I'll set you on the right path...

I was going to offer something similar, but you are in good hands with Samsara.  He knows his stuff.  And his musical taste when it comes to Queensryche is mostly pretty sound.  When you get into the latter years after Promised Land, he has a few opinions that are questionable, but I forgive him for those. 

"ALL I WANT" IS AWFUL. JUST ADMIT THIS! 

In regard to Fates Warning and this discovery trend you're on with some bands, yeah, kattelox, good luck with the bank account. I do want to say, however, it is refreshing to see someone sample some stuff, and then go buy the catalog. That's how many of us old schoolers do it. Gotta support the artists. If end up not liking it, you can always sell the CDs to a used store for credit, but still give the artist a sale.

[The Walrus]

I love (LOVE!) buying CDs, so yeah, eventually I'll have all the FW albums sitting nice and pretty on my shelves, sandwiched between Explosions In The Sky and whatever my first F albums are. Finntroll? Why did I ever buy a Finntroll album in the first place...

And yeah. I spent so many years exploring obscure power metal, black metal, etc. that I just completely skipped bands like FW and Queensryche, lots of classic rock etc. 

[SoundscapeMN]

At the risk of derailing the FW thread, I dunno. I've tried to like Rush for 15 years. I can't deal with Geddy's voice. Singers tend to make or break bands for me, I have the exact same issue with Genesis and Yes. The albums I own... Moving Pictures, A Farewell To Kings, Fly By Night, and Hold Your Fire. Oh, and I've heard 2112 before. I like Temples of Syrinx? Does that count?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIsYwGVIgBw

[The Walrus]

Oh god, it's one of the hits! At least it's not Working Man again... EDIT: Oh, whew, it's Fates Warning