Fates Warning - Disconnected


Year of Release: 2000
Label: Metal Blade
Catalog Number: 3984-14324-2
Format: CD
Total Time: 51:28:00

Cover artwork for European version from Massacre RecordsMuch will be made of Fates Warning's 10th studio disc Disconnected.

Disconnected is, if you the pardon the pun, the Perfect Symmetry of their last studio release, A Pleasant Shade Of Gray (APSOG) and their albums Inside Out and Parallels. Moving away from the sheer atmosphere of APSOG, Disconnected manages to meld many of previous FW elements into one CD and at the same time the band have managed to create an aural atmosphere cultured separately from earlier releases.

The album mixes traditional four/five minute tracks with resounding epic numbers that both build in stature ("Something From Nothing") and quietly amaze ("Still Remains"). Both tracks are dramatic and powerful pieces. Disconnected is somewhat less progressive than APSOG but the album is much weightier with heavier guitars similar to that of Fates Warning side-project Engine that featured Ray Alder (v) and Joey Vera (b). Ray handles approximately half of the lyrical duties as well - his confidence soaring following Engine. This disc is vibrant and moving with stimulating choruses and introspective lyrics. Whilst Jim Matheos (g) wrote the music for the album, Kevin Moore's (Chroma Key) keys deserve a special mention - the man is a master with samples enmeshed throughout.

If there's a problem with the disc, it's that out of the 7 tracks only 5 of them have vocals, but considering the epic nature of the lengthier tracks, this problem is not such a problem. FW should once again be applauded for the fact that they don't need, nor want, to please everyone. They have clearly laid down a challenge to the listener.

Fates Warning have perfected themselves with another successful release. I found Disconnected a subtle experience rather than an over-the-top in-your-face release. With a band this popular it won't satisfy everyone, but what is here is exceptional.

Released in Europe by Massacre Records (MAS CD0242); artwork shown above left

[This review originally appeared November 2002 at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.]
Tracklisting:
Disconnected Part 1 (1:13) / One (4:27) / So (8:07) / Pieces Of Me (4:24) / Something From Nothing (10:58) / Still Remains (16:08) / Disconnected 2 (6:11)

Musicians:
Ray Alder - vocals
Jim Matheos - guitars, additional keys, sequencing and noise
Mark Zonder - drums
Joey Vera - bass
Kevin Moore - keyboards
Steve Tushar - additional keys, sequencing, and noise

Discography:
Night On Brocken (1984)
The Spectre Within (1985)
Awaken The Guardian (1986)
No Exit (1988)
Perfect Symmetry (1989)
Parallels (1991)
Inside Out (1994)
Chasing Time (1995)
A Pleasant Shade Of Gray (1997)
Still Life (1998)
Disconnected (2000)
FW:X (2004)
Darkness In A Different Light (2013)
Theories Of Flight (2016)
Awaken The Guardian Live (2017)

Live At The Dynamo (DVD) (2000)
The View From Here (DVD) (2003)
Live In Athens (DVD) (2005)
Awaken The Guardian Live (BR) (2017)

Genre: Progressive-Power Metal

Origin US

Added: December 18th 2004
Reviewer: Gary Carson
Score:
Artist website: www.fateswarning.com
Hits: 2589
Language: english

  

[ Back to Reviews Index | Post Comment ]