Customer Reviews

Awaken the Guardian

5 star:		(47)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I'm going to review here this new edition, more than the original album. We all know (and those who don't, should) that John Arch wrote some historic pages as the first vocalist of Fates Warning. This 2CDs/1DVD extended reissue of "Awaken the Guardian" has made a superb job in documenting that golden époque of these progressive metal pioneers.

First of all, the remastered version of the classic album (CD#1) has indeed a brighter sound than the original; but of course there is nothing new at this point in there. As expected, the haunting and unorthodox melodies of John Arch are the "meat" of this release, while the rest of the band completed the recipe with a bunch of odd tempo changes, a bold musicianship and a great attitude. For John Arch this was his third album, so at that moment he had finally found his voice and style. The finished product is simply a brilliant, revolutionary and beautiful work of art; and a milestone in the history of metal music.

CD#2 contains demo versions of three songs of the album, plus six other live songs. The value of this CD is more historical than anything else, as the quality of the sound is far from being top notch. However, the "rawer" feeling of it all transported me to those years when the history of progressive metal had still to be written. This second CD, at the very end, is a draft produced by the original writers of the final paper. The creation of something new can be felt in its most spontaneous form by listening to this CD. That's why I welcome it with open arms -- and ears.

Finally, enters the DVD. Seeing John Arch performing live, even if his performance was not perfect at all, is a sheer of an experience. You see how the guy cared about delivering the goods to his public, how he tried so hard to make his best on the stage in spite of the demanding pieces he had to sing. The sound and the image are certainly poor; but as Matheos has stated, this probably is the only existing live video footage of the 1986 line-up. And you'll see there that Zimmerman, Aresti, DiBiase and Matheos were already skilled musicians, even if they still were very young back then.

By the way, there are two things that impressed me on the DVD. Firstly, the introductory words from Mike Portnoy in the booklet. The sacred cow from Dream Theater gives credit to Fates Warning for creating a genre in which he and his bandmates made an entire career afterwards. A gentleman, this Portnoy! Secondly, there's a slideshow with more than 50 pictures, while the song "Guardian" plays in the background. That was all nostalgia and melancholy... I kind of relived the eighties thanks to it. In fact, it was like seeing pictures of my old good friends, back to a time when we cared about nothing but the next morning. We were so young, so naïve, so cool, so great! -- Thank you for the music, Fates! And you see? There are too many reasons for me to give to this whole package no less than all the stars in the Universe. Long live Fates! _\m/

This is the last album Fates Warning recorded with original vocalist John Arch, before he decided to pursue the glorious life of a carpenter and the rest of the band moved on to become a bunch of heavy metal English professors with a Rush fixation. "Awaken" expands gloriously on the sound of the first two albums, with more bizarre mystical imagery and complex song arrangements. What sets Arch's lyrics apart from other D&D singers (Dio leaps to mind) is that he used such imagery to address serious questions about life and death. For instance, the words to "Valley of the Dolls" contain thinly veiled references to the glam posers of the 80's ("camouflage the battle scars with Oxy 10 and Maybelline, cloning the heroes in hype magazine") and "Guardian" was at least partially written about that girl who was in a coma during the 80's ("Karen's been asleep forever, I know she hears me, she has so much to say"). "Prelude to Ruin" could be about any nation, real or mythical, that is on the verge of downfall. Arch's delivery is beautiful- his voice is high, almost in a bard-like way, without being overbearingly operatic. His melodies weave together cleverly and the dual guitar attack of Matheos and Aresti really came across on this album. I definitely suggest this album, as it is easily the best thing this band ever recorded.

Most prog metal fans overlook this masterpiece for some reason. To them, it all starts with Fates Warning's Perfect Symmetry, which is agreeable, since Perfect Symmetry is the band's first actual foray into prog metal. However, Awaken the Guardian, given its release date, was one of the driving forces of prog metal when a term as "prog metal" didn't even exist. Released almost 20 years ago, Awaken the Guardian is still as perfect as it was way back. This was the first Fates Warning disc I ever bought and I still listen to it on a regular basis. With each passing year, I re-discover its brilliance and impact on the genre. This band is kind of like Psychotic Waltz who were also as amazing and influential but were always overlooked by the masses.

If you've never listened to pre-Parallels period Fates Warning, then you might be pleasantly surprised. Awaken the Guardian is the last album with original singer John Arch and the best in my opinion. Arch seriously defined the sound of Fates Warning on the fist three releases since he co-wrote each song with guitarist Jim Matheos. He co-wrote each song on ATG as well, except the instrumental piece, "Time Long Past". Of note is that Arch co-wrote "Giant's Lore (Heart of Winter)" with second guitarist Frank Aresti and I believe this is the only track in the entire Fates Warning catalog that wasn't written by Jim Matheos. I said it before and I'll reiterate: John Arch is one of the most amazing singers that has ever walked the face of the earth. He can wail like every other screamer out there, but what's more is, he can still retain melody hitting those high notes. Unfortunately, Awaken the Guardian was the last album he did before he disappeared for 17 years only to return with a two-track solo project where he proved his voice was still as amazing as ever.

The lineup on Awaken the Guardian differs greatly from their current one, or vice versa. With a second guitarist, Frank Aresti, who plays unique DARK acoustic pieces, as well as lead solos alongside Matheos; original drummer Steve Zimmerman, who is very different from demigod Mark Zonder, but equally competent and intense in his own way; and bassist Joe DiBiase, who is more of a traditional Heavy Metal bass guitarist than someone like Joey Vera, this album sees the band blending its traditional metal roots with their branched-out technicality and more progressive approach to songwriting. The music offers a wide array of musical diversity that will appeal to any metal fan, regardless of the genres they're attached to. Matheos and Aresti play sharp, heavy and aggressive guitar riffs with extensive solos that will please any metalhead. As I mentioned above, Aresti lays down some really evil acoustic guitars, like the one in the intro, "The Sorceress". That is perhaps the most evil intro on any Fates Warning album. There is more of this plucked acoustic guitar to be heard on "Guardian" as well as on the instrumental track, "Time Long Past". The latter is significantly interesting as Aresti plays a brooding acoustic piece and Matheos lays down an emotionally engaging guitar solo over it.

Drummer Steve Zimmerman has always been a personal favourite of mine as he tends to play his snares loud, in your face and still technically impressive. His cymbal work and drum attack respectively on "Valley of the Dolls" are proof that Fates Warning always consisted of technically advanced musicians. It's a shame they have always been so underrated throughout their entire career. In the 80's everyone had their attention on Queensryche and Crimson Glory, while the 90's saw Dream Theater and their many clones dominating the waves.

"Prelude to Ruin" is one of my favourite songs because it exemplifies Arch's perfection as a melodic singer and puts the beautifully synchopated rhythm guitars under the microscope. The layered guitar theme in the intro is turned into a heavy progressive track by the end of the track. On "Giant's Lore", Arch's vocals are toned down and there's an eerily beautiful main riff that intermittently steals the show here. "Exodus", the longest track on the album, displays also the band's most progressive approach to composition. The song envelops a wide range of diverse instrumentation with John Arch doing a killer vocal performance and the rhythm section providing pummeling bass and drum attack. This is essential to everyone, but especially those who pride themselves in being Progressive Metal fans.

This is one of the best Heavy Metal CD's of the 80's. This is simply a masterpiece for it's time. I loved Fates back when they had John Arch on vocals, he was what really made Fates "Metal".

Anyways, back to "Awaken". This has very big Maiden influences, and is hinted throughout. The guitars are excellent, and have I said how much I love J. Arch's vocals???...

If you're a fan of Fate's "A Pleasant Shade Of Grey", you may want to think twice about buying this. This is not music to sleep to. This was Fate's when they were HEAVY.

I highly recommend "Awaken The Guardian" to anyone who has never heard Fates Warning, or to anyone who is a "Heavy Metal" fan. It's a unique masterpice that should not be forgotten...

Most prog metal fans overlook this masterpiece for some reason. To them, it all starts with Fates Warning's Perfect Symmetry, which is agreeable, since Perfect Symmetry is the band's first actual foray into prog metal. However, Awaken the Guardian, given its release date, was one of the driving forces of prog metal when a term as "prog metal" didn't even exist. Released almost 20 years ago, Awaken the Guardian is still as perfect as it was way back. This was the first Fates Warning disc I ever bought and I still listen to it on a regular basis. With each passing year, I re-discover its brilliance and impact on the genre. This band is kind of like Psychotic Waltz who were also as amazing and influential but were always overlooked by the masses.

If you've never listened to pre-Parallels period Fates Warning, then you might be pleasantly surprised. Awaken the Guardian is the last album with original singer John Arch and the best in my opinion. Arch seriously defined the sound of Fates Warning on the fist three releases since he co-wrote each song with guitarist Jim Matheos. He co-wrote each song on ATG as well, except the instrumental piece, "Time Long Past". Of note is that Arch co-wrote "Giant's Lore (Heart of Winter)" with second guitarist Frank Aresti and I believe this is the only track in the entire Fates Warning catalog that wasn't written by Jim Matheos. I said it before and I'll reiterate: John Arch is one of the most amazing singers that has ever walked the face of the earth. He can wail like every other screamer out there, but what's more is, he can still retain melody hitting those high notes. Unfortunately, Awaken the Guardian was the last album he did before he disappeared for 17 years only to return with a two-track solo project where he proved his voice was still as amazing as ever.

The lineup on Awaken the Guardian differs greatly from their current one, or vice versa. With a second guitarist, Frank Aresti, who plays unique DARK acoustic pieces, as well as lead solos alongside Matheos; original drummer Steve Zimmerman, who is very different from demigod Mark Zonder, but equally competent and intense in his own way; and bassist Joe DiBiase, who is more of a traditional Heavy Metal bass guitarist than someone like Joey Vera, this album sees the band blending its traditional metal roots with their branched-out technicality and more progressive approach to songwriting. The music offers a wide array of musical diversity that will appeal to any metal fan, regardless of the genres they're attached to. Matheos and Aresti play sharp, heavy and aggressive guitar riffs with extensive solos that will please any metalhead. As I mentioned above, Aresti lays down some really evil acoustic guitars, like the one in the intro, "The Sorceress". That is perhaps the most evil intro on any Fates Warning album. There is more of this plucked acoustic guitar to be heard on "Guardian" as well as on the instrumental track, "Time Long Past". The latter is significantly interesting as Aresti plays a brooding acoustic piece and Matheos lays down an emotionally engaging guitar solo over it.

Drummer Steve Zimmerman has always been a personal favourite of mine as he tends to play his snares loud, in your face and still technically impressive. His cymbal work and drum attack respectively on "Valley of the Dolls" are proof that Fates Warning always consisted of technically advanced musicians. It's a shame they have always been so underrated throughout their entire career. In the 80's everyone had their attention on Queensryche and Crimson Glory, while the 90's saw Dream Theater and their many clones dominating the waves.

"Prelude to Ruin" is one of my favourite songs because it exemplifies Arch's perfection as a melodic singer and puts the beautifully synchopated rhythm guitars under the microscope. The layered guitar theme in the intro is turned into a heavy progressive track by the end of the track. On "Giant's Lore", Arch's vocals are toned down and there's an eerily beautiful main riff that intermittently steals the show here. "Exodus", the longest track on the album, displays also the band's most progressive approach to composition. The song envelops a wide range of diverse instrumentation with John Arch doing a killer vocal performance and the rhythm section providing pummeling bass and drum attack. This is essential to everyone, but especially those who pride themselves in being Progressive Metal fans.

This album has it all working like a well-oiled piece of machinery - the bass, drums, great guitar solos/rhythms! But what really grabs my attention and keeps me listening to this record again and again is the VOCALS of John Arch - it's not just the fact that he was a great singer either (as was his successor Ray Alder)- no, rather it was the way in which the vocals were mixed/produced that really makes this one interesting! In this album, you'll find John Arch at times singing what sounds like a few harmonies overlapping each other, all uniquely different, but at the same time fitting together perfectly just like a Chinese puzzle box! Also, adding to the album was the addition of Frank "X" Aresti who better compliments Jim Matheos' style moreso than his predecessor Victor Arduini (not to take anything away from him, as he and Matheos collaborated on some true compositional masterpieces, i.e. "Damnation"). To sum up this fantastic Fate's Warning effort, it is one of the few rare gems in which you will hear something completely new that you missed previously every time you listen! Also, to heighten your musical experience, listen to this record with earphones - it is a real "field trip for the ears! "

I was first introduced to this album in the late 80's after hearing the song"Apparition". I didnt know the name of it and always asked people if they new the name of the song with the words "I wanna know what". Of course people looked at me crazy and didnt know what i was talking about.Although it was hard to understand the lyrics,the song jammed. It was one of those songs you could here over and over, especially if you were high.haha Luckily my boyfriend was a guitar player for a local metal band and knew of this band and introduced me to this album. I was blown away. My boyfriend would play of couple of the tracks on his guitar for me so you know i was happy. when i finally got the lyrics I fell even more in love. Arch's voice and the stories he told in his music were beyond imagination. Back then we had the wonderful cassette tape, and I was finally able to listen to a whole cassette front and back without having to rewind and fast forward to my favortie song, which on most cassettes, was in the middle. Of all the great bands in the 80's, they were definitely one of my favorites and still are today. Some sixteen years later i find myself downloading the songs, but i'm a little rusty on the lyrics. I was devastated over the departure or Arch but didnt have the heart to abandon the band. Alder's voice was great but in no way did he have the imagination and creativity of Arch. This is definitely one of the albums i'll be listening to in the nursing home 30-40 years from now

Their roots may lie in the gallop and bombast of NWOBHM bands like Iron Maiden but this time out Fates Warning's prog-rock influences shine even more brightly. What was hinted at last time around in the essential "The Spectre Within" we now can hear come to fruition within the dreamlike sounds of THE high water mark for heavy progressive music.

A great deal of good has been said about John Arch's vocals on this release, but his prowess cannot be overstated. With each note he brings you on his journey. With every phrase comes an understanding of the narrative, independent of the actual words being sung. The man has a voice born of the ethereal web of the universe.

Let's not forget guitarist Frank "X" Aresti. His contribution to this band is oft overlooked due to the fact that six-string cohort Jim Matheos basically IS Fates Warning. Aresti's solos are wrought with emotion, exhibiting such wit and dizzying skill at each turn that if only the band were a bit more well known; he no doubt would be given the guitar-god status he rightly deserves.

Unlike better known prog-metal bands though, Fates Warning's allegience has always been to the song and experience as a whole. If you crave endless soloing and mind-blowing technicality for its own sake, look elsewhere.

Fates Warning turned their focus towards more commercial avenues a few years on, but if you want to hear where heavy music reaches its true potential in scope and insight you need look no further.

I've known of Fates Warning for quite a while due to their videos on Headbangers' Ball, but it wasn't until last month that I decided to buy an album of theirs. After two days of listening to AWAKEN THE GUARDIAN, I was in awe of their creative ability. Soaring vocals and melodies, aggressive rhythms, brilliant tempo changes, and poetic, imaginative lyrics; this album simply has everything! My personal favorites are "Fata Morgana" and "Guardian", though each song seems to offer something unique and interesting. I've since picked up NO EXIT and THE SPECTRE WITHIN, and they're also very good, but neither seems to capture the excitement and catchiness of this album. If you've got a taste for excellent musicianship and melodic, well-crafted songwriting, I can't recommend this album enough. It will take your breath away.

Even as a musician of advanced years of practice I cant help but be inspired by the technical and melodic dance Awaken the Gaurdian competantly exudes...in a word, flawless. Now not to hurt anyones feelings but I am going to say what we all are thinking (those of us with religious devotion as one said earlier), John Arch should have never left! I stopped listening to Fates after a while..why, because melody got lost in technicality. You have to blend strong melody with technical accomplishment to have good sound (take creed for example, they dont have alot of technicality but man do they ever have melody, you almost drown in it, sadly another lost band) and Awaken is just endlessly filled with strong melody and creative genius and technicality. It isnt John so much as his meandering notes that always leave you wondering what is coming next. Put that together with the amazingly creative and competant band that they where and I am left with unutterable frustration at what could have been...