FATES WARNING — No Exit/Perfect Symmetry

FATES WARNING

No Exit/Perfect Symmetry (1988)

Label: Metal Blade/Fono
★★½ 5.5/10
By Neyasyt'

Track Listing

  1. No Exit: No Exit
  2. No Exit: Anarchy Divine
  3. No Exit: Silent Cries
  4. No Exit: In A Word
  5. No Exit: Shades Of Heavenly Death
  6. No Exit: The Ivory Gate of Dreams
  7. Perfect Symmetry: Part Of The Machine
  8. Perfect Symmetry: Through Different Eyes
  9. Perfect Symmetry: Static Acts
  10. Perfect Symmetry: A World Apart
  11. Perfect Symmetry: At Fate's Hands
  12. Perfect Symmetry: The Arena
  13. Perfect Symmetry: Chasing Time
  14. Perfect Symmetry: Nothing Left To Say

Heavy metal from the '80s, reissued by Fono, makes you want to reminisce about the happy times and the inimitable spirit of heavy metal's dawn... But I'm not going to reminisce about anything — I was knee-high to a grasshopper back then and paid no attention to long-haired fellows singing in unearthly voices. Although no, I'm exaggerating: Ray Alder's vocals somewhat resemble Dickinson's (the music doesn't bear much resemblance to MAIDEN), and in places they sound like a man who's sat down on a hedgehog. Alright, enough fooling around. The music is high-quality and holds up well even now. Excellent solo parts, tasteful use of violin and keyboards (just a touch), a well-balanced alternation of fast and slow passages, and the presence of several slower pieces on each album all suggest that this band deserves to be heard by young heavy metal fans. As for the "old guard," I need not even mention them — these two albums are a treasure for them. By the way, in the booklet — specifically in the "thanks" section — the guys used their friends' nicknames. Worthy of mention: "10.30," "you ain't eatin' 'cause I ain't hungry," and the knockout nickname for a dude — "Emma."