The very influential and long running progressive metal act Fates Warning have given life once again to their vastly popular 1991 album, that album being Parallels, a release which is referred to as the bands most commercial effort, now re-released in a somewhat generous package. This edition of Parallels is spread over two CDs and a DVD; the DVD apparently has a full live performance, interviews and documentary footage. Fates Warning seem to have always been there receiving much well deserved praise for their music, but never reaching the heights of fame and exposure that bands like Dream Theater and Queensrcyhe have experienced.
CD one features the re-mastered version of Parallels, and CD two has a stirring eight song live recording plus demo versions of some of the tracks from the album, which are always fun to listen to. Stepping back into the time of this albums original release, Fates Warning's top class lineup was that of drummer Mark Zonder with his expressive playing, vocalist Ray Alder's and guitarists Jim Matheos and Frank Aresti, plus bass player Joe DiBiase.
Together ensuring the material on Parallels lived up to the fans expectations, well they did that and more, opener "Leave the Past Behind" still sounds great and next "Life in Still Water" which featured James Labrie, is interesting to hear as to how far the sounds of electronic drums have come since 1991. Parallels many inviting arrangements are like a blend of technical progressive/melodic rock and metal complemented with the power of Ray Adler's moving vocals.
While the re-master does sound fine, if I had to pick something about this edition that could have been done differently, then perhaps a new recording of Parallels material would have been nice to hear, rather than going the usual re-master route. But then again many fans would object to that, and countless others would no doubt prefer just to experience a new album from Fates Warning.
Parallels Special Edition is a release for the devoted progressive music fans, who will almost certainly dig the cool bonus material on offer, or maybe that someone who is looking to discover Fate's fine music, then this release is an excellent way to start that journey.
Track Listing
CD 1
1.Leave the Past Behind
2.Life in Still Water
3.Eye to Eye
4.The Eleventh Hour
5.Point Of View
6.We Only Say Goodbye
7.Don't Follow Me
8.The Road Goes on Forever
CD 2
1. Leave the Past Behind-live
2. Don't Follow Me -live
3. Eleventh Hour-live
4. Point of View-live
5. Eye to Eye-live
6. Nothing Left To Say-live
7. Quietus-live
8. Through Different Eyes-live
9. Leave the Past Behind-demo
10. Eye to Eye-demo
11. Eleventh Hour-demo
12. Point of View-demo
13. Don't Follow Me-demo
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