Official top 50 Fates Warning countdown thread!! - #1 Song Revealed!

[Zoom E]

I didn’t rank Something from Nothing. Disconnected is one of tge weaker FW releases for me.

While Inside Out is far from being a favourite FW. Album, The Strand is a standout for me and I had it ranked at #9. This is the third song that I’ve given the highest ranking. Interesting.

[pg1067]

I want to point out that I am tied with Lethean because I ranked SFN at #4 as well.

You're right.  I edited the post.


By the way, unless I miscounted (and I might have), there three people who will be high ranker for six songs.  Six people are high ranker on four songs.  Four people are high ranker on three songs.  Six people are high ranker on two songs.  No one is high ranker on fewer than two.

[Lethean]

#28 for The Strand, and #4 for Something from Nothing.

I don't usually think of The Strand when thinking about my favorite FW songs, but whenever I hear it I love it, and that was definitely reinforced when making this list.

And I really think Something from Nothing is incredible.

[TAC]

35 Something from Nothing (Disconnected – 1)

Appeared on 9 of 19  entries
Top 10 finishes: 3
Highest Ranking: 4 (Lethean, jammindude)

34 The Strand (Inside Out – 3)

Appeared on 12 of 19  entries
Top 10 finishes: 1
Highest Ranking: 9 (Zoom E)

I had Something For Nothing at #5.
This is a great song. When it finally gets going, it's fantastic. Love Mark Zonder's slappy hi-hat in the verse.

I had I had The Strand at #13.
I love Ray's voice on this album and this has such a nice chorus. Really smooth.


50                                                                              NR
49                                                                              Handful Of Doubt
48                                                                              Chasing Time
47                                                                              APSOG III
46  APSOG VIII (Instrumental)                                     White Flag
45                                                                              APSOG IV
44                                                                              Firefly
43                                                                              The Destination Onward
42                                                                              Left Here
41                                                                              The Road Goes On Forever
40
39  The Longest Shadow Of The Day
38  Face The Fear
37
36
35
34
33
32  Silent Cries
31  Don't Follow Me
30
29
28
27
26
25
24
23
22
21
20
19
18
17  Exodus
16
15
14
13  The Strand
12
11
10
9
8
7
6  Down To The Wire
5
4  Something For Nothing
3
2
1

[The Realm]

35 Something from Nothing (Disconnected – 1)

Appeared on 9 of 19  entries
Top 10 finishes: 3
Highest Ranking: 4 (Lethean, jammindude)

34 The Strand (Inside Out – 3)

Appeared on 12 of 19  entries
Top 10 finishes: 1
Highest Ranking: 9 (Zoom E)

Something for Nothing - unranked. A bit surprised at the really high rankings of this song. This song takes 5 minutes to actually get going and when it does, it doesn't really appeal to me however the drumming is great.

The Strand - unranked. This is an interesting song with some really cool parts but I am not sure the sum of them all entirely works for me. This song was never a chance for my top 50.

[wolfking]

2 more unranked from me. 

[jammindude]

I had Something from Nothing at #4.  This song is literally goosebumps in a can. I love every single second. If “atmosphere” had a musical definition, it would simply say “see: first 3 minutes of Something from Nothing by Fates Warning”

I’ve memorized the little sound effects. The way they build layers to the payoff. If this comes on while I’m driving, the sound immediately goes all the way up, and I have a different “face” I make for each individual layered effect. I especially like the very quiet electrical sound (not sure how else to describe it?) during the quiet vocal section.  This song is like very slow ear sex.

The Strand didn’t rank. It’s ok. It got to 88 on my first list.

[TAC]

Generally, I can do without the intro to Something For Nothing.

[nick_z]

The Road Goes On Forever - My rank: #41

Not too far from aggregate ranking. While it is my least favorite on Parallels, this song has grown on me significantly in time. For a while, I viewed it as a pretty nondescript way of concluding an amazing album. Not band, but just kind of there. Now I appreciate it much more. It doesn't have the striking qualities of the rest of the songs, but it's quite beautiful - especially the bridge starting before the 4-minute mark (I wish that lasted a little longer, although the subtle guitar theme in it gets a reprise later)

Something for Nothing - My rank: #40

Ha! Consecutive rank in my list too! For me, it suffers a bit from the comparison with the other longer song on the same album, but it's a pretty great song. Yes, the intro is kinda long, but the mood it creates is quite special. When it gets going, the riffing is great, and I LOVE Zonder's drumming on this one.

The Strand - My rank: #32

Again, close to the aggregate. A "sleeper" song from Inside Out, in that it didn't grab me right away. Not as immediate as some of the songs surrounding it, but I love it now. Very unique, with lots of interesting bits and pieces.

[devieira73]

The Strand (#20 to me) - I love this one, very climatic and somewhat restrained, but also it's really cool and different.

[Glasser]

Generally, I can do without the intro to Something For Nothing.

Did Kade write that? Oh wait, that was "I Still Remember Someone Else". 

** Much love to the Kangaroo King! My mate!!!! 

[WardySI]

2 more unranked from me.

Did you actually submit a list mate?

Something from Nothing NR
Yeah that intro lost me for years but I can listen to this one now no problems to my ears the distinct nod to APSOG on Disconnected.  Cool song .

The Strand #44
Nick described this one perfectly already for me was always a sleeper but once it gets in yer head it is quite the staple IO song, love Ray's delivery in the chorus \m/

[wolfking]

Generally, I can do without the intro to Something For Nothing.

Did Kade write that? Oh wait, that was "I Still Remember Someone Else". 

** Much love to the Kangaroo King! My mate!!!! 

Just when I let my guard down this random zinger comes out again! 

[wolfking]

2 more unranked from me.

Did you actually submit a list mate?

Something from Nothing NR
Yeah that intro lost me for years but I can listen to this one now no problems to my ears the distinct nod to APSOG on Disconnected.  Cool song .

The Strand #44
Nick described this one perfectly already for me was always a sleeper but once it gets in yer head it is quite the staple IO song, love Ray's delivery in the chorus \m/

  Kombo Kade attack!

I actually haven't kept track of how many I have currently.  I'll have to go back and check.

[Awaken]

35 Something from Nothing (Disconnected – 1)

Appeared on 9 of 19  entries
Top 10 finishes: 3
Highest Ranking: 4 (Lethean, jammindude)

The first appearance of a song from Disconnected.  I didn’t rank this song, and this album was a big disappointment on the heels of APSOG.  They played a few songs when I saw them on the DIADL tour, so one song actually made my list and another came close.  But this wasn’t either of those songs.  There's the makings of a decent song here, but you'd have to peel back to much other stuff to get to it.  Obviously, three very high rankings made up for the fact that it made fewer than half of the lists.


34 The Strand (Inside Out – 3)

Appeared on 12 of 19  entries
Top 10 finishes: 1
Highest Ranking: 9 (Zoom E)

This is the first big surprise for me among songs that made the top 50.  I believe this was Frank Aresti's last writing contribution to Fates until one small contribution on DIADL.  This song is fine.  The chorus is nice, but I generally consider it the weak link in the first half of Inside Out.  I didn't figure it would fare well, but it kept turning up on more and more lists, with 6 of the 12 lists that included it having it in the top half.

The Strand (25):
Really enjoy everything about this one, will second my love for how Ray handled the chorus.  This is the best era/line up of FW, for me, and my ranking covered a lot of Parallels/IO.  Though, the last two albums are also well represented on my list.

Did not rate:
Face the Fear
Don't Follow Me
Exodus
Chasing Time
APSOG III
White Flag
Firefly
The Road Goes on Forever
Something From Nothing

[Dublagent66]

No.  Ranked Songs                        Not Ranked Songs
50                                                  Face the Fear
49   Left Here                                  Don't Follow Me
48                                                  Exodus
47                                                  Handful of Doubt
46                                                  Down to the Wire
45                                                  Chasing Time
44                                                  White Flag
43                                                  The Destination Onward
42                                                  Something from Nothing
41      
40      
39      
38      
37   The Strand   
36      
35      
34      
33   The Longest Shadow of the Day   
32      
31      
30   Silent Cries   
29   Firefly   
28      
27      
26   APSOG III   
25      
24      
23      
22      
21      
20      
19      
18      
17   The Road Goes on Forever   
16      
15   Don’t Follow Me   
14      
13   APSOG VIII   
12      
11      
10      
  9      
  8      
  7      
  6      
  5      
  4      
  3      
  2      
  1      

[pg1067]

Sorry about the lateness of this post, which comes to you from Belfast, Maine.  In penance, I will give you the bonus song that I was going to post yesterday!


33 We Only Say Goodbye (Parallels – 3)

Appeared on 10 of 19  entries
Top 10 finishes: 3
Highest Ranking: 3 (TAC, WardySI)

We’ve now seen the final 3 songs from Parallels.  I like this song just fine, but it didn’t make my top 50.  There’s just nothing exceptional about it.  The chorus is ok.  The verses – nothing special.  I think I’d like it more if it were 20% or so faster.


32 The Apparition (The Spectre Within – 1)

Appeared on 12 of 19  entries
Top 10 finishes: 2
Highest Ranking: 9 (WardySI)

Alright…Arch song #2!  I LOVE this song and ranked it at #14 and was pleased that two others ranked it higher.  Killer intro (although I admit it might drag on just a bit too long).  Possibly my favorite set of Arch lyrics – especially the part about the four mirrors of life.  That said, it’s not my favorite song on TSW.


31 Another Perfect Day (FWX – 3)

Appeared on 15 of 19  entries
Top 10 finishes: 1
Highest Ranking: 10 (Puppies_on_Acid)

This is a song I skipped over when FWX came out, but they played it live when I saw them on the DIADL tour and then got into it.  I had it at #50, and it’s the only FWX song I ranked.

[pg1067]

Album rankings through the first 20:


1. FWX (3 songs, 38 points):  Handful of Doubt (47T), Left Here (37), Another Perfect Day (31)

2. Parallels (3 songs, 35 points):  Don't Follow Me (49T), The Road Goes on Forever (36), We Only Say Goodbye (33)

3. Inside Out (3 songs, 25 points):  Face the Fear (49T), Down to the Wire (45T), The Strand (34)

4. A Pleasant Shade of Gray (3 songs, 23 points):  VIII (47T), III (43), IV (40)

5T. Long Day Good Night (2 songs, 19 points):  The Longest Shadow of the Day (45T), The Destination Onward (38)

5T. The Spectre Within (1 song, 19 points):  The Apparition (32)

7. Disconnected (1 song, 16 points):  Something from Nothing (35)

8. Darkness in a Different Light (1 song, 12 points):  Firefly (39)

9. No Exit (1 song, 10 points):  Silent Cries (41)

10. Theories of Flight (1 song, 9 points):  White Flag (42)

11. Perfect Symmetry (1 song, 7 points):  Chasing Time (44)

12. Awaken the Guardian (1 song, 2 points):  Exodus (49T)

13. Night on Brocken (0 songs)


P.S.  8 of the next 10 will come from two albums.

[The Realm]

33 We Only Say Goodbye (Parallels – 3)

Appeared on 10 of 19  entries
Top 10 finishes: 3
Highest Ranking: 3 (TAC, WardySI)

32 The Apparition (The Spectre Within – 1)

Appeared on 12 of 19  entries
Top 10 finishes: 2
Highest Ranking: 9 (WardySI)

31 Another Perfect Day (FWX – 3)

Appeared on 15 of 19  entries
Top 10 finishes: 1
Highest Ranking: 10 (Puppies_on_Acid)

We Only Say Goodbye - my number 27. I really like this song, just really strong melodies. Musically it doesn't take the listener on a huge journey but the strength of the musical hooks makes it memorable.

The Apparition - my number 28. This song is pretty classic John Arch stuff. His vocals are obviously an acquired taste but when they are on they are on and he delivers on this track. Melodically it probably isn't as wordy as other tracks which helps to make it more appealing. The last couple of minutes of this track are totally awesome. I think the love for Arch will be limited in this countdown but great to see this song make it.

Another Perfect Day - my 36. 15 lists for this song is a good effort. Are we done with FWX now?

[TAC]

33 We Only Say Goodbye (Parallels – 3)

Appeared on 10 of 19  entries
Top 10 finishes: 3
Highest Ranking: 3 (TAC, WardySI)

32 The Apparition (The Spectre Within – 1)

Appeared on 12 of 19  entries
Top 10 finishes: 2
Highest Ranking: 9 (WardySI)

31 Another Perfect Day (FWX – 3)

Appeared on 15 of 19  entries
Top 10 finishes: 1
Highest Ranking: 10 (Puppies_on_Acid)

I had We Only Say Goodbye at #3. I love this song, and it is so relatable to anyone who has had a relationship fizzle.

I love these two lines..
Thought I heard you call my name
But you only said goodbye

Tried to tell you my deepest thoughts
But I only said goodbye

Fucking brilliant.

I had I had The Apparition at #35. Really classic metal feel to it. Nice and accessible for an Arch-Era track. Have they ever done this with Ray?

EDIT: They played it on the Perfect Symmetry tour..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YtnzYD7ELY

I had Another Perfect Day at #36. Very nice and easy on the ears. My only track from FWX.


50                                                                              NR
49                                                                              Handful Of Doubt
48                                                                              Chasing Time
47                                                                              APSOG III
46  APSOG VIII (Instrumental)                                     White Flag
45                                                                              APSOG IV
44                                                                              Firefly
43                                                                              The Destination Onward
42                                                                              Left Here
41                                                                              The Road Goes On Forever
40
39  The Longest Shadow Of The Day
38  Face The Fear
37
36  Another Perfect Day
35  The Apparition
34
33
32  Silent Cries
31  Don't Follow Me
30
29
28
27
26
25
24
23
22
21
20
19
18
17  Exodus
16
15
14
13  The Strand
12
11
10
9
8
7
6  Down To The Wire
5
4  Something For Nothing
3  We Only Say Goodbye
2
1

[TAC]

We’ve now seen the final 3 songs from Parallels.

Wait wut? 



I guess I know what this means...

- As things stand, Tim's list holds a distinction that is true of none of the other lists.

I have bad news for Awaken....

[wolfking]

I had Goodbye at number 4.  It's fucking incredible.  As Tim said, the lyrics are amazing and the simple nature and structure of it is just perfect.  Jim's simple solo is wonderful also.

Apparition was at 17 for me.  Wonderful song and such an ear worm.

Perfect Day I had at 20.  An instant fav from FWX.

[wolfking]

We’ve now seen the final 3 songs from Parallels.

What the fuck?!

[nick_z]

We’ve now seen the final 3 songs from Parallels.

Wait wut? 

I imagine pg means the last 3 songs in the tracklist, not that we are done with Parallels in the ranking...that would be shocking indeed 

[wolfking]

We’ve now seen the final 3 songs from Parallels.

Wait wut? 

I imagine pg means the last 3 songs in the tracklist, not that we are done with Parallels in the ranking...that would be shocking indeed 

That would make more sense.  Hopefully that's the case.

[The Realm]

We’ve now seen the final 3 songs from Parallels.

Wait wut? 

I imagine pg means the last 3 songs in the tracklist, not that we are done with Parallels in the ranking...that would be shocking indeed 

That would make more sense.  Hopefully that's the case.

That has to be the case, surely more to come from Parallels!

[TAC]

Paul, you got some splaining to do.

[nick_z]

We Only Say Goodbye - My rank: #17

Fantastic song. It's a common theme on Parallels but, man oh man, those guitars. Even in stuff that is relatively simple, the interplay and the tone...just so incredibly tasteful. And the chorus on this thing, with the vocal harmonies, is amazing, 

The Apparition - My rank: #48

The lone representative from The Spectre Within on my list. I agree with Tim there's a classic metal feel to it, but with enough of that special 80s FW sauce already. And all wrapped in a relatively accessible package. Arch sounds great, especially in the more up-tempo, final part of the song. Good stuff.

Another Perfect Day - Not Ranked

Missed my top 50, but not by much. It's a catchy and pleasant song that certainly appears to be a crowd favorite from FW's 21st century records. Nothing wrong with the tune, just many better ones for me...

[Lethean]

Perfect Day I had at 20.  An instant fav from FWX.

It was for me as well.  The album as a whole was a grower but I immediately loved this song.  I like some others from FWX better now but still consider this a favorite.  I ranked it at #35.

The other two were unranked for me.

[Zoom E]

I had Another Perfect Day at #16. A highly memorable tune. It’s just a nice listen.

I didn't rank The Apparition or We Only Say Goodbye.

[wolfking]

Perfect Day I had at 20.  An instant fav from FWX.

It was for me as well.  The album as a whole was a grower but I immediately loved this song.  I like some others from FWX better now but still consider this a favorite.  I ranked it at #35.

The other two were unranked for me.

Left Here has become the best tune for me, but for a long time, Perfect Day was the instant song I was drawn to.

[pg1067]

We’ve now seen the final 3 songs from Parallels.

Wait wut? 

I guess I could've worded that better.

We've now seen the last three tracks from Parallels - 6. WOSG, 7. DFM and 8. TRGOF.   

Another Perfect Day - my 36. 15 lists for this song is a good effort. Are we done with FWX now?

Two albums that have had songs revealed are done.  That's all I'll say for now.

I guess I know what this means...

- As things stand, Tim's list holds a distinction that is true of none of the other lists.

I have bad news for Awaken....

Didn't I subsequently explain what I meant by that?  I know I mentioned that several other lists achieved the same distinction:  including at least one song from every album.  Those whose lists did that are TAC, WardySI, Awaken, The Realm, Zoom E, Mister Gold, and jammindude.

[The Realm]

Another Perfect Day - my 36. 15 lists for this song is a good effort. Are we done with FWX now?

Two albums that have had songs revealed are done.  That's all I'll say for now.

That is interesting. I like how you wrote 'two albums that have had songs revealed are done' as I think in total 3 albums may be done. I'm thinking there is a good chance no songs from Night on Brocken make it. My guess for the 2 albums with revealed songs that are done: FWX and DIADL.

[Lethean]

Perfect Day I had at 20.  An instant fav from FWX.

It was for me as well.  The album as a whole was a grower but I immediately loved this song.  I like some others from FWX better now but still consider this a favorite.  I ranked it at #35.

The other two were unranked for me.

Left Here has become the best tune for me, but for a long time, Perfect Day was the instant song I was drawn to.

Left Here is one of my favorites from FWX as well. 

[jammindude]

We Only Say Goodbye was #62 on my first list, and it just missed being included on subsequent lists. Pretty good tune.

The Apparition was officially my first FW love. This was THE song that was included on The Best of Metal Blade Volume 1, that convinced me to go buy TSW right away. Still love this song. The golden mirrors section deserves all the love it gets. I had it at #17 overall.

I absolutely do not get the love for APD at all. I always thought Jim was a million times better at writing epics than singles. Even Through Different Eyes (which, IMO, was his first blatant attempt at writing a catchy “single”) was the weakest link on PS. And I think APD suffers from the same klunky-ness. I had it at #106 out of 107 that I even bothered with on my first run through.