Fates Warning - The Spectre Within (1985)

The first of the two most critically acclaimed albums by Fates Warning, The Spectre Within was a significant improvement on its 1984 predecessor, still retaining the five original members in its roster.

It's really tough for me to choose a favorite, as all songs here are quite brilliant. "The Apparition" is brilliant, but I know it's going to be everyone's pick, so I'll go with either "Traveler in Time" or "Epitaph".

Playing into the expectations, I have to go with the Apparition. But I love every track on this album. Epitaph would've been my sleeper pick.

I mean, good goddamn, just thinking about this vocal run in the Apparition gives me chills:

"Flame is burning center of a fountain yearning, waters
Spring eternal, spiritual water, physical fire
Above center is sky, cold, cold neverness
Just vastness filled with stars upon stars.
In the four corners of life are the golden mirrors
Reflecting what you are and what you are to be.

In the first is a young boy, white dove in
His hand, in the second is a warrior in armor
In the third is the old man, gold watch
In his hand, fourth and last
No reflection at all"

Holy shit I wish I wrote that, haha.

"Orphan Gypsy" it is.

I had to go with the chilling "Epitaph". What a way to close off the album.

Without a Trace has my vote.

The Apparition

Without a Trace

Orphan Gypsy

The Apparition.

The Apparition, one of the most epic metal songs ever.

I would also choose Spectre over Guardian.

The Apparition!

The Apparition

"Without A Trace"


Really trying to get into this band, but I can't. They have that sound that I like, but the songs are just not memorable to me and singer wails a lot which bogs down the songs.

80s Metal Lady wrote:

Really trying to get into this band, but I can't. They have that sound that I like, but the songs are just not memorable to me and singer wails a lot which bogs down the songs.

It is a very off-putting album, if only on the first couple of spins. I've found it easier to immerse over subsequent listens. I think the fact that it's so consistent is what I like so much about it. Not all parts can be easily recreated in my mind, but as soon as they come up, I feel like I've always known it by heart.

As far as the vocals go, they take time to grow on you. John Arch is a very polarizing vocalist, much like King Diamond, Midnight, and Mark "The Shark" Shelton. I used to think Ray Alder was the superior vocalist in Fates Warning, but all it took was "getting to know" the second and third albums more to fully grasp why they're such monumental metal classics, and not just limited to USPM or progressive metal.

80s Metal Lady wrote:

"Without A Trace"


Really trying to get into this band, but I can't. They have that sound that I like, but the songs are just not memorable to me and singer wails a lot which bogs down the songs.

I'd suggest going for Ray Alder material, like Parallels or Perfect Symmetry. Much more listenable than Spectre or Guardian. No Exit isn't too bad to start as a transitional album either. The Arch material is too twisted to get into sometimes, even for fanbiy of this band like me.

BearOnUnicycle wrote:

The Arch material is too twisted to get into sometimes, even for fanbiy of this band like me.

What I find with the Arch material is that the transitions in the songs don't always work. I have no problem with songs having different sections and going through changes, so I have no issues with the band doing that, it's just that sometimes it feels a bit too abrupt (although I can't think of a good example right now).

However, I don't find this to be the case with Arch/Matheos. So maybe that's a case of improved songwriting over the intervening period.

Thanks you guys. I'll definitely listen to each album that has a poll several times. I won't give up on Fates Warning.

The Apparition gets my vote.

Painkiller wrote:

. "The Apparition" is brilliant, but I know it's going to be everyone's pick, so I'll go with either "Traveler in Time" or "Epitaph".

You just have to be different than everyone else.

Is it that hard to pick your "true" favorite tune without worrying how others are going to choose?

"The Apparition" for me cause it's the best song on the LP (IMHDO)

Nope, never implied such a thing. My "true" favorite is indeed the closer.

My second fave FW. I chose "The Apparition."

Painkiller wrote:

Nope, never implied such a thing.

"The Apparition" is brilliant, but I know it's going to be everyone's pick, so I'll go with either "Traveler in Time" or "Epitaph". wrote:

im·plied
ADJECTIVE
1.suggested but not directly expressed; implicit:

I would say that quote fits the textbook definition of the word. But we all know that you are like Clinton and have different meanings for words than anyone else.

James B. wrote:

Painkiller wrote:

Nope, never implied such a thing.

im·plied
ADJECTIVE
1.suggested but not directly expressed; implicit:

I would say that quote fits the textbook definition of the word.  But we all know that you are like Clinton and have different meanings for words than anyone else.

Not to pile on, but yes that quote implied that he "Painkiller" might have picked The Apparition, but he decided not to go in that direction, due to the fact that everyone else would most likely pick that song.

James B. wrote:

im·plied
ADJECTIVE
1.suggested but not directly expressed; implicit:

I would say that quote fits the textbook definition of the word.  But we all know that you are like Clinton and have different meanings for words than anyone else.

I think it's amusing that you still try.

metalinmyveins wrote:

Not to pile on, but...

"I'm not racist, but..."

James B. wrote:

You just have to be different than everyone else.

Is it that hard to pick your "true" favorite tune without worrying how others are going to choose?

James B. wrote:

im·plied
ADJECTIVE
1.suggested but not directly expressed; implicit:

I would say that quote fits the textbook definition of the word.  But we all know that you are like Clinton and have different meanings for words than anyone else.

metalinmyveins wrote:

Not to pile on, but yes that quote implied that he "Painkiller" might have picked The Apparition, but he decided not to go in that direction, due to the fact that everyone else would most likely pick that song.

You know what they say, with old age comes the desperate need to be argumentative.