Arch/Matheos - v. Winter Ethereal COMING MAY 10th, 2019!

[Jamesman42]

Hmm, that kind of bored me.

[Dr. DTVT]

I would start with Parallels and Perfect Symmetry. But that's just me. 

I agree with dongringo.

Hmm, that kind of bored me.

That's not the best clip IMO, but its the only official one as far as I know.  The intro to that song is KILLER, as is the entirety of the opening track.  Don't give up on it James, it really is good.

[Jamesman42]

I did kinda like the intro. Is the album on Grooveshark?

[Dr. DTVT]

That's not the real intro

Yes it is.  I suggest Neurotically Wired, Tear Stained Sky (THAT INTRO!), and Incense and Myrrh to start.  That should be proper motivation to buy the album, although my word should have been enough.  I don't go pimping new albums every three days like some people around here do.

[Jamesman42]

Haha that's true. I'll get a playlist set up.

If I am truly disappointed, your sig shall consist of some text that tells of how great I am. The antithesis to your avatar.

[Jamesman42]

Reminds of Redemption (surprise) but I don't like it as much. (Speaking of which, I need to hear TMC this weekend!)

[dongringo]

Reminds of Redemption (surprise) but I don't like it as much. (Speaking of which, I need to hear TMC this weekend!)

Then check out the Ray Alder era Fates, especially Parallels and Perfect Symmetry. Ray's voice is more palatable to most. In my opinion, that's when Fate's were at their peak. Just a suggestion.

[Perpetual Change]

The more I listen to this album, the less I'm impressed with it. The first two songs are great, but after that it's just like a gaping hole of saminess until Incense and Myrhh.

I still like it, but I think I need to give it a break.

[dongringo]

The more I listen to this album, the less I'm impressed with it. The first two songs are great, but after that it's just like a gaping hole of saminess until Incense and Myrhh.

I still like it, but I think I need to give it a break.

Wow, this is exactly what I was thinking. First two songs and the last with a huge gap of sameness. Thanks for putting my thoughts into words. 

[wolfking]

Just listened to the album for the first time, I can say I'm impressed.  Although bosk's issue about Arch's vocal melodies totally did hit me, these melodies are hard to grasp onto and need time to digest.  I love the riffs and it's so good to hear to hear Frank Aresti back on cd, he is such an underrated monster player.  Check his solos on Stained Glass Sky and Any Given Day, just amazing.

My favs straight off are Midnight, Stained and Incense is great too.  Great record, look forward to listening to it more.  It's amazing how much these songs sound like Arch era Fates Warning.  Sounds like a sequel to Guardian or something.  This basically is Fates Warning.

[Jamesman42]

Reminds of Redemption (surprise) but I don't like it as much. (Speaking of which, I need to hear TMC this weekend!)

Then check out the Ray Alder era Fates, especially Parallels and Perfect Symmetry. Ray's voice is more palatable to most. In my opinion, that's when Fate's were at their peak. Just a suggestion.

I've tried FW but wasn't digging it, this may be the same thing.

At least I have Redemption.

[Lowdz]

The more I listen to this album, the less I'm impressed with it. The first two songs are great, but after that it's just like a gaping hole of saminess until Incense and Myrhh.

I still like it, but I think I need to give it a break.

Wow, this is exactly what I was thinking. First two songs and the last with a huge gap of sameness. Thanks for putting my thoughts into words. 

So it's not just me then.

[Phoenix87x]

  This basically is Fates Warning.

That's how I feel.

[bosk1]

Just listened to the album for the first time, I can say I'm impressed.  Although bosk's issue about Arch's vocal melodies totally did hit me, these melodies are hard to grasp onto and need time to digest. 

It's not really an "issue"--just an observation.

[Mebert78]

One thing that kinda bugs me is that it's hard to understand what Arch is saying.  When I heard the new DT, I could easily find myself singing along to what JLB was saying, but I can't do that with Arch/Matheos because I have trouble understanding what he is saying a lot. 

But I must say that I put aside the new DT this past week and returned to Arch/Matheos, and I'm loving it more than my initial listens.  Really good stuff and Matheos is killing it!  I kinda think "Stained Glass Sky" would be a better opening track.  It's weird how that track has that opening portion that seems like a track all its own.  It reminds me of the first OSI disc how you had the instrumental "The New Math" followed up by the song "OSI." 

To me, "Incense and Myhhr" is my fav.  Really beautiful stuff there.

[wolfking]

Just listened to the album for the first time, I can say I'm impressed.  Although bosk's issue about Arch's vocal melodies totally did hit me, these melodies are hard to grasp onto and need time to digest. 

It's not really an "issue"--just an observation.

Apologies for that mate.

[wolfking]

I kinda think "Stained Glass Sky" would be a better opening track.

This was one of my first thoughts upon hearing it, I don't understand why it's not the opening track.

[bosk1]

It would definitely make a good opener, but Neurotically Wired sounds great in the opening slot too, so I don't really have an issue.  After having this a few weeks, I have to say, while Stained Glass Sky initially hooked me, On The Fence is currently the album's infectious "can't get it out of my head" song.

[Nick]

I think the album opens with the right track, Neurotically Wired is excellent and a good opener.

[bosk1]

On The Fence is currently the album's infectious "can't get it out of my head" song.

Just have to quote myself on this because I'm listening right now, and WHAT AN AMAZINGLY AWESOME MONSTER OF A SONG THIS IS!!!

[emtee]

Surprise album of the year BY FAR. I spin it every day. Jarzombek is just unbelievable on this recording.

[LudwigVan]

^^^  I agree, this is a beast of an album.   

I'm in the camp that prefers Alder over Arch, so at first I was a bit disappointed to hear that the "next Fates Warning" album basically morphed into the Arch Matheos project.  But this album has won me over big time, competing neck-and-neck with ADTOE for me.  I just hope that Matheos can keep this particular incarnation of Fates Warning going for the longer term.   

[pogoowner]

^^^  I agree, this is a beast of an album.   

I'm in the camp that prefers Alder over Arch, so at first I was a bit disappointed to hear that the "next Fates Warning" album basically morphed into the Arch Matheos project.  But this album has won me over big time, competing neck-and-neck with ADTOE for me.  I just hope that Matheos can keep this particular incarnation of Fates Warning going for the longer term.   

He's said that he plans on making an album with Ray next year. But then again, the two aren't mutually exclusive, and I'd be happy to get music from both!

[LudwigVan]

^^^  I agree, this is a beast of an album.   

I'm in the camp that prefers Alder over Arch, so at first I was a bit disappointed to hear that the "next Fates Warning" album basically morphed into the Arch Matheos project.  But this album has won me over big time, competing neck-and-neck with ADTOE for me.  I just hope that Matheos can keep this particular incarnation of Fates Warning going for the longer term.   

He's said that he plans on making an album with Ray next year. But then again, the two aren't mutually exclusive, and I'd be happy to get music from both!

Such a weird dynamic between Fates Warning, John Arch, Ray Alder and Redemption... like one big gray area.

[kirksnosehair]

Screw it, I'm gonna buy this album.  Arch's voice drives me nuts but the music sounds incredible. 

[Mebert78]

^^^  I agree, this is a beast of an album.   

I'm in the camp that prefers Alder over Arch, so at first I was a bit disappointed to hear that the "next Fates Warning" album basically morphed into the Arch Matheos project.  But this album has won me over big time, competing neck-and-neck with ADTOE for me.  I just hope that Matheos can keep this particular incarnation of Fates Warning going for the longer term.   

He's said that he plans on making an album with Ray next year. But then again, the two aren't mutually exclusive, and I'd be happy to get music from both!

Such a weird dynamic between Fates Warning, John Arch, Ray Alder and Redemption... like one big gray area.

Yes, but it's a pleasant shade of gray!

[Phoenix87x]

I really wish they would do a handful of U.S. dates on the east coast, cough "Philly" cough. I've been a huge fan of John Arch for a long time, and I would love to be able to see him live just once. (and hear Guardian fingers crossed).

[wolfking]

Guardian is one of the most amazing songs I've ever heard.

[pain of occupation]

Such a weird dynamic between Fates Warning, John Arch, Ray Alder and Redemption... like one big gray area.

Yes, but it's a pleasant shade of gray!

 

[kirksnosehair]

After having the album for a week now, I can say I like it a lot.  I can't say I LOVE LOVE it as much as some of you, but it's definitely a really great album.  Personally, I need a little bit of keyboards in my prog metal for atmospheric purposes, but that's just me.  Also, Arch's voice is impressive, but he seems to sings at the same tone and power in each song part, whether it's verse or chorus.  I like a little more soft and loud dynamics in a singer's voice.  But again, that's just me.  And Matheos is a beast on this album.  Love him!

I agree with everything here.  I wanted to wait until I had a chance to spin it at least 3 or 4 times before posting in this thread.  The riffs are just monstrous.     But yeah, some keyboards would have been nice.  But I do like the two-guitar approach that Matheos uses here.

Arch, I don't know, sometimes it almost seems like he's really not singing and just sort of yelling.  And in terms of melody, it's hard to get into a lot of what he delivers here, and frankly, I find it a little bit distracting at times, but overall, I definitely dig the album.

I'd probably give it 3.5 / 5 stars.

[Metal]

Here's an interview with Matheos if anyone's interested:

https://www.metalunderground.com/interviews/details.cfm?newsid=72770

[TAC]

Wow, that's very interesting. Sounds like there's something going on between him and Ray.

[Phoenix87x]

Wow, that's very interesting. Sounds like there's something going on between him and Ray.

I am also getting that impression. Very curious.

and I also found it interesting that when Jim was asked about Redemption, his response was:

"You know, that’s not really a fair question for me because I don’t really like that kind of music"

[Mebert78]

Wow.  That's a really interesting reaction from Matheos.  Hmm.  Leaves me scratching my head.  And I'm really surprised that Redemption isn't Jim's type of music.  To me, they are quite similar so I would think it would be right up his alley.

[kirksnosehair]

A progmetal guitarist doesn't like progmetal?