Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off

--I don't wanna blame Willie, but I think his rating has a lot to do with the overall rating for the album, no pressure there buddy, just sayin--



Based on that kind of thinking, I did consider inflating my rating before posting the review. Honestly, though, I really thought most people would feel the same way I did and I'd just end up getting accused of inflating the score (Which would have been accurate). Ha ha. There's no winning.



Maybe the new Psychotic Waltz just spoiled me. It's still my album of the year. If you like this band and haven't heard Psychotic Waltz, you need to. You can't got wrong with Mosquito, Bleeding, or the latest release.

Album Rating: 4.0

"Based on that kind of thinking, I did consider inflating my rating before posting the review. Honestly, though, I really thought most people would feel the same way I did and I'd just end up getting accused of inflating the score (Which would have been accurate). Ha ha. There's no winning."



Love ya nonetheless buddy. I've been meaning to check Psychotic Waltz for a while now but just haven't had the time, I see you're diggin the new DT, how is it?

I’m due to revisit the Psychotic Waltz from this year but I think this is a lot better

Album Rating: 4.0

Agreed m/

Album Rating: 4.0

Also, mosquito, bleeding, and new PW are nowhere near as good as their first two albums xD

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

Yeah the PW album's good but never REALLY hooked me in

Album Rating: 4.5

Under The Sun is incredible.....right there with Another Perfect Day



Beautiful song

Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off

-- I see you're diggin the new DT, how is it?--

If you're a fan of Projector and Atoma, you'll love it. Otherwise, you may not enjoy it as much. I love it.



--Also, mosquito, bleeding, and new PW are nowhere near as good as their first two albums--

I don't enjoy Buddy's vocals or the overall sound on those first two albums all that much. I always suggest the later albums first because they're easier to digest for new fans, as well.

This band's first few albums have grown off me so hard

But The Spectre Within and Awaken the Guardian kick so much ass : (

Album Rating: 4.5

They really do, but I see those records today as if they were a different band

Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off

Fates Warning with John Arch is essentially a different band in both style and most the members. Even 'No Exit' and 'Perfect Symmetry' sound like a different band. It's not until 'Parallels' that I recognize anything along the lines of the current band.

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

I'd include Perfect Symmetry there as well Willie. No Exit sounded like a transition album



Production of the first 3 albums holds me back from checking them out more often

Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off

Include it where? As an album that sounds like something from the current band or include it in the 'sounds like an entirely different band' category?

Album Rating: 4.0

I found Parallels and Perfect Symmetry to be on a pretty simliar level, with Parallels being on the softer side, but yeah, PS is where they really started to drop the Maiden vibe that was on the earlier stuff

Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off

--Production of the first 3 albums holds me back from checking them out more often--

I'm older so maybe I just don't notice it as much, but the remastered version of Awaken the Guardian sounds perfect to me. The two before that sound super dated even on the remastered versions.



And, yeah, there are definitely little similarities between Perfect Symmetry and Parallels, but one is so mechanical and technical while the other is so warm and inviting... I've never really found them too similar just based on that.

I don’t think Parallels is all that far removed from Perfect Symmetry. Like Perfect Symmetry’s tracks would not sound out of place on Parallels except the three more prog tracks (Part of the Machine, At Fates Hands, Nothing Left to Say). All the rest are pretty in line with what they were doing after.

Also hot take time, I think The Spectre Within is just as good if not better than Awaken the Guardian and Inside Out is just as good if not better than Parallels

Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off

That’s a pretty controversial hot take ;) I think Spectre and Inside Out have some great songs in them, but I definitely can’t agree that they’re better than the albums you’re comparing them to. I will say they’d both be better albums with better productions... if Spectre sounded more like Awaken and Inside Out sounded more like Parallels.

Production very rarely plays a part in my enjoyment of an album, songwriting above all else, and neither of those albums mentioned have production that takes away from the songs imo even if they’re not quite as pristine. I like Inside Out for being a more intimate album with subtler intricacies in contrast to Parallels being more overt and arena-ready. I also think The Spectre Within is a bit more diverse than Awaken the Guardian and has some of my favorite tracks from the Arch era, like Apparition, Orphan Gypsy and Epitaph. I think Awaken the Guardian is probably just as good but I can’t see it being a huge leap forward like a lot of people say

Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off

Production always plays a part in my enjoyment of an album. I'm a sucker for clean, clear, productions that allow the drums to have some thump, the bass to audibly come through the mix, and guitars that feature some bottom end (or at least a full sound). There are exceptions to that rule (like Manic Impressions), but generally speaking, that's the sound I go for. As my love for Emperor proves, though, it's not a strict rule.

I like Inside Out but the bright, thin, production has always bothered me. Especially on Momument and Face the Fear. I would definitely agree, though, that Spectre is more diverse album between it and Awaken the Guardian, but the sound on Spectre is so damn muddy. I much prefer the live versions on the Awaken the Guardian reunion album. The versions of Epitaph, The Apparition, and Kyrie Eleison are perfection.