Fates Warning — Theories of Flight

intothewellsabyss
Jul 1, 2023
3 min read

𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐑𝐘𝐏𝐓𝐒 - 𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐀𝐋𝐁𝐔𝐌 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄𝐒 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐃 𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐊 & 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐕𝐘 𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐋…

7 years ago today, Fates Warning taught us “Theories of Flight”.

On this day (July 1) in 2016, Fates Warning released their twelfth full-length studio album “Theories of Flight” via Inside Out Music; their last release on the label with them ultimately re-signing with their longtime label Metal Blade Records in 2019.

The album featured the lineup of founding guitarist Jim Matheos alongside classic-lineup members Ray Alder (vocals) and Frank Aresti (guitar), with longtime bassist Joey Vera and former Halford drummer Bobby Jarzombek.

Background:

“Theories of Flight” marked the first time since 2004's “FWX” that Fates Warning had recorded as a four-piece. Although guitarist Frank Aresti was still a member of Fates Warning at the time of the album's writing and recording sessions, he does not appear in band photos inside the album booklet and is credited only as a guest, for providing guitar solos on two tracks ("From the Rooftops" and "White Flag"); therefore, this is the last Fates Warning album to feature Aresti.

Speaking to Stormbringer webzine, Alder stated about how his vocal approach has changed over the years;

"Yeah, [when I first joined FATES WARNING] I was young and everybody was doing the screaming and I thought that was cool. As I got older and progressed as a singer and realized what I wanted to do, I found it really silly. And then, even [singing] live in the old days, I tried not to do it as much. It just seemed silly to me. It doesn't make any sense. But as I grew as a singer, I knew what I wanted to do, and I realized that, I think, soul is more important than range. And it seems as though my voice just said, 'Yeah, I agree with you. Fuck it!' And it just kind of changed on its own. But, I mean, I like my voice where it is now. I have no problem… Again, I like where I am. Some people wanna hear the high screams, but… sorry! [Laughs]"

Release Information:

The album was made available in the standard version and a two-disc mediabook edition, which will include a trio of unreleased originals, as well as three additional never-before-heard cover tunes. A double-LP version will also be available. The bonus disc is entirely acoustic.

Album Performance & Critical Reception:

“Theories of Flight” debuted on Billboard’s Heatseekers albums chart on July 23, 2016 and peaked at No. 2 after spending only 2 weeks on the chart.

In his review of the album, Trey Spencer of Sputnikmusic stated "Theories of Flight” feels like a classic", arguing "when a band somehow manages to take the most solid and memorable moments of their breakthrough release and seamlessly mesh them with a sound they’ve been circling around for years, and do so flawlessly, then it is at least worth proclaiming that they’ve released a milestone within their own career. But is it worth stopping the discussion there; I don’t know? While it’s too early to start calling Theories of Flight another pinnacle of the progressive metal genre, in 10-years’ time that may very well be what this album has become."

Links to Artists, Albums, and Music Videos:

Click this link to listen to “Theories of Flight” via Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/theories-of-flight/1115813342

Click this link to listen to “Theories of Flight” via Spotify: Theories Of Flight https://open.spotify.com/album/5vjij4mTC8pJYNTGtA7WSi

Click this link to purchase “Theories of Flight” via Bandcamp: (Not available on Bandcamp)

Click this link to follow Fates Warning on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FatesWarning

Note: The reviews shared here are for historical reference. The views and opinions expressed within are not always supported (in full or in part) by Into the Wells. — E.N. Wells

Fates Warning — Theories of Flight

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