Album Rating: 5.0

For sure. He's got an incredible back catalogue. Fates, OSI, solo albums. He's a strong songwriter and band leader. I wish FW got their due, or even as much recognition as the revived Queensryche is getting now

Album Rating: 4.5

I loved Darkness in a Different Light. Gotta check this out.

Album Rating: 5.0

Definitely a strong follow up. Matheos is on a roll recently. Arch/Matheos, OSI, Fates, all the latest records are really strong



This needs to be on the front page now

Album Rating: 3.9 | Sound Off

Alder's voice is in terrific shape.

Album Rating: 4.0

Hasn't exactly been a very good year for prog metal so it's nice to know there's something that's truly good out there. And since they hail from my home state I have to listen to them anyways.

Album Rating: 5.0

@Voivod yeah it really is. He's retained quite a bit of his range, though I do miss the huskiness



@Toon: Fates hardly disappoint.

Album Rating: 5.0 | Sound Off

So, the guy that gave this a 2.0 and complained about the vocals obviously barely even listened. It's okay to not like the album, but when your complaint is so obviously off-the-mark...



--Ray is so powerful on this (in contrast to the latest Redemption, where at times I feel he sounded bored or disinterested, despite the excellent music)--

Yeah. His vocals on the Redemption album seem to lack something that he obviously has on this album.



--Alder's voice is in terrific shape.--

Yep.

Album Rating: 4.0

really liking this so far, feels like a heavier version of the new Avantasia album in a way

Album Rating: 3.9 | Sound Off

I missed Alder's vibrato on the previous album, and I like the fact that he's implementing it sparingly here.

Album Rating: 5.0

@Willie: Ray's such a naturally gifted vocalist. The melodies seem effortless for him. My only complaint here is that at times his vocals seem a bit forced. But that's a very minor gripe, his voice sounds great.



Matheos tones are also stunning on this. Even better than on Sympathetic Resonance



@Voiv: oddly enough its some of Ray's vibrato that feels forced to me on this album

Album Rating: 5.0 | Sound Off

--@Willie: Ray's such a naturally gifted vocalist. The melodies seem effortless for him. My only complaint here is that at times his vocals seem a bit forced. But that's a very minor gripe, his voice sounds great. --

He's getting older and he still smokes. I have a feeling that he is grappling with a different range and ability these days and is trying to almost 're-learn' how to sing. He's pulling it off better than Geoff Tate.

-- Matheos tones are also stunning on this. Even better than on Sympathetic Resonance --

Yeah. He definitely has his mojo back.

Album Rating: 5.0

Matheos' production has been very good throughout his career, but recently its become a lot more rich and powerful.



"He's getting older and he still smokes. I have a feeling that he is grappling with a different range and ability these days and is trying to almost 're-learn' how to sing. He's pulling it off better than Geoff Tate."



Oh for suure, and better than Labrie as well. I've always loved Alder's vocals. He's done an incredible job of working with his diminished range. He focuses more on the subtleties and emotion now, and I think those are two of his greatest strengths. One of my favourite overall performance of his is on FWX. There is a sense of pain and anguish in his vocals that allows the mellow lyrics to have a real impact

Album Rating: 5.0 | Sound Off

I like Ray's vocals on every album he has done (Fates, Engine, Redemption) except No Exit. I think the issue with LaBrie is that he hasn't accepted that his voice is not ever going to be the same as Images & Words. Ray has accepted and adjusted.

Dug this more than I thought I would.

Album Rating: 4.0

Awesome last paragraph such as the album.

Album Rating: 4.0

Ray shines on this and his lyrics are decent too.

Album Rating: 5.0 | Sound Off

I think it will surprise a lot of people, even long-time fans.

Album Rating: 4.5

No rock song in the world can be better than "The Light And Shade Of Things". That song is pure perfection.

Album Rating: 4.0

It's clear that Ray feels comfortable with his ''new middle-aged voice''.

It was about time.

Album Rating: 4.2

Really enjoying this one atm. I was about to write how surprisingly brilliant is this album but then again these guys never really declined. Still, didn't expect such a fine album.