Since 1982, Fates Warning have flown the flag for Progressive Metal, frequently ranked alongside Queensryche and Dream Theater in terms of innovation, influence and body of work. Over the course of twelve studio albums, numerous live albums, compilations and video releases, the band have maintained a remarkable grasp on quality, something greatly helped by the band’s arch refusal to begin writing or recording before the whole band is ready. Nonetheless, with 2016’s theories of flight a considerable success, the decision was made to capture the band’s epic European trek for posterity and so, via Inside Out records, fans can now relive the tour with Live over Europe, a gorgeously-packaged 2 CD set featuring twenty-three tracks (four of which hail from the ecstatically-received theories…)
Right from the start, Fates Warning are on fire. The stabbing might of seven-minute opener from the rooftops gets the pulse pounding as the band deftly move from the quiet, almost folky intro to the raging guitars that drive the heart of the song forward. What an opening number! The rampant rhythms, the blistering solos! This is what you want from Fates Warning and man do they deliver, a fact aided by the incredibly clear and detailed production which captures every frantic note and every crunchy beat. Clearly on a heavy trip, life in still water keeps the pace taut and the riffs coming only for the band to up the ante further with one. As with early Queensryche, one is a track that perfectly combines soaring melodies with arch riffing in a manner that is as visceral as it is intelligent, and it’s easy to imagine the crowd going nuts over this one. The first track to really slow the pace, pale fire is a power ballad with elegant solos and an addictive melody, although seven stars sets the heart pumping once more.
An early highlight on disc one, SOS is a monster of a track, reminiscent of Train of thought-era Dream Theater with its crunchy, palm-muted riffs and ferocious percussion and pieces of me, short and violent, is no less energetic, the band really digging deep to deliver a performance that sears itself into the minds of the audience and makes the home listener fervently wish that they had been there. A lengthy the light and shade of things sees the bans indulging in more progressive explorations, but it is the disc’s finale that really cements the deal – the fourteen-minute prog epic and yet it moves, a piece of music that deftly shifts from an almost Baroque introduction (via early Genesis) to gargantuan riffing with a fluidity that is the envy of the band’s peer group.
Opening up Disc 2 is another behemoth – still remains (from the Disconnected album), another track that hits the quarter of an hour mark and yet feels a fraction of that. Building from a quiet, insistent bass riff and rippling, reverb-washed guitar, it has a similar vibe to Queensryche’s Silent Lucidity and the interwoven guitar leads and off-kilter percussion that emerge as the track progresses are nothing less than awe-inspiring. Things take a heavier turn with the pulsing, syncopated riffing of Nothing left to say, a perfect showcase for Jim Matheos and Mike Adbow’s guitar skills, although it’s arguably Ray Alder who shines, his vocals hitting the mark time and time again n a difficult song. The short Acquiescence allows the band a moment to simply put their heads down and rock out after two lengthy, prog workouts and, if the eleventh hour slows the pace just a touch, it serves nicely to emphasise the power of point of view with its galloping riffs and inventive percussion. The short, sweet fallen gives way to the acoustic a pleasant shade of grey pt. ix – both fine tracks that offer a touch of light before the band dig into their rockier side for through different eyes, delivering a powerful and energetic performance. Heading into the encore, the winding bassline of Monument gives way to some potent riffing, whilst the second half of the song offers up some of the album’s most exquisite guitar work, suggesting that, no matter how high the quality found elsewhere, the band kept a little something in reserve for the finale. The album reaches an emotional climax with eye to eye, the perfect ending to this exhaustive set, clearly leaving the audience ecstatic and, even after so lengthy a show, clearly wanting more.
Perfectly recorded, live in Europe captures Fates Warning at their formidable peak, running the gamut from blistering prog-metal workouts like SOS to more introspective moments such as a pleasant shade of grey pt. ix. The perfect tour souvenir for those fortunate enough to catch a show, this excellent album perfectly summarises the current incarnation of Fates Warning – prog perfection! 9
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