Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Giving No Exit some proper praise..., June 29, 2002
I read all the previous reviews and wondered...who actually listened and understood the greatness of this disc...No Exit began the Ray Alder era...now the history...when Jim was auditioning singers...Ray inquired about the job and Jim sent him the melody section to "Quietus" from 'ivory gate,' and basically what you hear on the finished cd is the audition tape Ray sent him...so I guess he was hired instantly. I like the changes of tone...the intro part to the cd...to the tensive screams of "Anarchy Divine" both "Silent Cries" and "In a Word" are strong passion plays, deep with emotion strong and guitar crunches. But you buy this disc for "Ivory Gate." A fantastic foray into a seemingly mythologic look...I was told that Jim based it roughly on Homer's "Odyssey." So when the last reviewer said something about the relation to "Mindcrime" (which I love...the ryche is so cool) I was stunned. I don't like to compare stories...because "Mindcrime" is a real-life based story...and "Ivory Gate" is a fantastic dreamscape... "Ivory Gate" has such a great flow to it...the only stumbling part for me was "Daylight Dreamers" it didn't seem to fit for me...but when "Quietus" followed...I quickly forgot about the weakness of the previous track... What I like about "Ivory Gate" and the rest of Fates longer tracks (i.e. APSOG, Something from Nothing, Still Remains) the songs take on an epic story feel...and there's a tensive build-up to a powerful dramatic ending feel to the song...on this disc you can feel it with "Acquiesence," when Ray sings the final lines.."Hope leads to final destination/ when reality obscures the dream/ makes the mind a grave of memories/ that wanders like the lonely breeze/ whose whispers echo through ruins rust/ of towers torn and dreams turned to dust..." The feel of that last movement still sends chills through me when I listen to it...some 12 years since I've heard it the first time. So I say buy this cd for the progressive roots that it sprouts...the vocals of Ray Alder...his beginnings...and the impressive group that is Fates Warning...
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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sheer perfection, March 26, 2001
There are only 6 songs on this album, but this album rocks harder than any I've ever heard. There are some terrifyingly good guitar riffs on this CD, and the vocals, bass, and drums are top notch. Jim Matheos is a God when it comes to guitar! He has an excellent sense of melody, but also can rip face melting solos and riffs. He writes most of the music and lyrics of No Exit, and he single-handedly wrote 'The Ivory Gates of Dreams'. And let me tell you, that song rocks. Chock full of every guitarists best dream, 20 minutes of pure shred but also great acoustic playing and some great piano playing.Ray Alders vocals are very unique, and very good. I had never heard him until buying No Exit, but I must say: he is one of the, if not THE, best progessive metal vocalist I've ever heard. His voice is very powerful and he has incredible range (he can hit notes higher that Tate or Halford easily.) His vocals add a powerful presence to the music and it really "opens" it up. In closing, if you haven't bought this album already go get it immedietely. This CD is worth 'Ivory Gate of Dreams' alone, but yet you get 4 more killer songs on the CD. The song no exit isnt really a song. More of an intro. It rocks. Buy it!!
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2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This Album has staying power....and sounds amazing!, February 28, 2000
I bought this album way back in '87. It was amazing back then, and perhaps more amazing now. The production is very powerfull. I can't belive how strong the bass drums sound on all of my stereos(car, personal, home) The guitars, vocals, and bass blend together so well. The songs are very well wriitten. The Balance between Heavy and progressive is just right. All of this I speak of is based on the origimal cassette release I bought about 14 years ago! I dug out my cassette of no exit this weekend, it's a liittle bit worn, ,but manages to sound as fresh as ever. I am finally upgrading to "No Exit" on CD. Do yourself a favor......BUY THIS CD if you are into 80's or 90's metal. Great vocals, and great music make this album a well added piece to anyone's collection.
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by Fates Warning 
