Fates Warning - The Spectre Within (1985)

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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".

Metal is Forever Number of posts : 5084 Age : 27

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.

Metal master Number of posts : 920 Age : 30

"Orphan Gypsy" it is.

Guest

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

Metal is my Life Number of posts : 28649 Age : 39

Without a Trace has my vote.

Metal master Number of posts : 657 Age : 45

The Apparition

Metal is my Life Number of posts : 15680 Age : 51

Without a Trace

Subject: Re: Fates Warning - The Spectre Within (1985) Sat Feb 20, 2016 1:52 am

Orphan Gypsy

Heart of Metal Number of posts : 1064 Age : 31

The Apparition.

Heart of Metal Number of posts : 1786 Age : 37

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

I would also choose Spectre over Guardian.

Metal is in my blood Number of posts : 3325 Age : 53

The Apparition!

Metal is my Life Number of posts : 40887 Age : 56

The Apparition

Metal master Number of posts : 896 Age : 50

"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.

Guest

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.

Heart of Metal Number of posts : 1064 Age : 31

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.

Metal master Number of posts : 657 Age : 45

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.

Metal master Number of posts : 896 Age : 50

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

Metal is my Life Number of posts : 26657 Age : 55

The Apparition gets my vote.

Scurvy Skalliwag Number of posts : 12851 Age : 60

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)

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Fates Warning - The Spectre Within (1985) Th?id=OIP.Mf8_L3e01kyREFChW4XK_gEsDG&w=299&h=198&c=7&qlt=90&o=4&dpr=1.25&pid=1

Guest

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

Metal is Forever Number of posts : 9428 Age : 50

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

Scurvy Skalliwag Number of posts : 12851 Age : 60

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.

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Fates Warning - The Spectre Within (1985) Th?id=OIP.Mf8_L3e01kyREFChW4XK_gEsDG&w=299&h=198&c=7&qlt=90&o=4&dpr=1.25&pid=1

Metal is in my blood Number of posts : 3325 Age : 53

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.

Guest

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..."

Metal master Number of posts : 920 Age : 30

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. surprised