Customer Reviews

Still Life / Chasing Time

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I was first introduced to Fates Warning thanks to the best of metal blade volume 1 double lp which featured the incredible 'prelude to ruin', and a 3 band demo tape which I picked up when I was in the Army stationed in Germany which I've never seen in the states that featured 'the apparition', a song that just blew me away and needs to be heard by any self-respecting metal fan. At one point in my life I've owned every Fates Warning album ever released. This one is just decent enough to be the one a casual fan needs. I just wish it were more Arch, less Alder on this greatest hits CD, because even though I really liked later Fates Warning, they went from progressive, unique, atmospheric heavy metal to somewhat Queensryche/post Rush 2112 imitators hard rock when Arch was replaced by Alder. Just listen to the difference of the music depending on who happens to be on vocals. Still, Fates is one of those bands that I'm glad I've known as a punkass teen, even if the rest of the so-called rockers I've talked to in my life claim they have not. Sometimes you have to seek out good music, or deal with being force-fed the crap that corporates at MTV want you to hear like avenged sevenfold or eminem. I'll stick with Fates, thanks.

I'm not a huge Fate's Warning fan, but couldn't resist this collection considering it's a 2 CD live/1 CD best of collection housed in a slipcase for less than $10. You really can't go wrong on this set for the money especially if you like a more progressive metal sound. As for the editorial review stating that they are "continually offering new and exciting limited edition pressings of their impressive and vast catalog", that may be true, but this "limited edition" version is actually two albums that are marked as "cut-out" or "promotional" (there is a hole drilled through the barcode on each CD) that have been re-packaged into this set. No complaints here as the price is easily worth the quality and amount of music you get, but I have to admit I have never seen a record company recycle returns/cut-outs in this manner and it is supposedly illegal to market/sell items that are marked this way. Overall rating - audio, performance and value - 5 stars minus 1 star for the "questionable" packaging.