PERFECT SYMMETRY

This is a very significant record for me, it actually in a round about way opened the hidden world of prog to me. I'll tell the story in detail when I finally finish my bio. This was an important album for the band as they went in a different direction from the punishingly heavy "No Exit" to a more progressive sound. They added Mark Zonder on drums (which was huge) and Kevin Moore helps out on keys. Ray Adler's vocals are much improved over the last record, and I love the dual lead guitars from Matheos and Aresti.

Things get started with "Part Of The Machine" and Zonder's presence is felt right away with his crisp odd-metered drumming. Riffs follow as vocals come in. Check out the solo from Aresti 3 minutes in. "Through Different Eyes" has a lot of tempo changes in it. A lazy guitar solo from Matheos is great as the tempo starts to pick up and drums follow.The song slows down quikly as vocals come in. This is a really good commercial sounding song with some absolutely scorching guitar solos from Matheos and Aresti about 3 minutes in. "Static Acts" is another really good song opening with heavy drums and a cool guitar melody. There are some good riffs and passionate vocals. Lots of tempo changes on this one too. "A World Apart" features more amazing drumming from Zonder while Aresti and Matheos grind it out with guitar solos. Nice.

"At Fates Hands" is a classic FATES song with violin and Moore on keys and reserved vocals.The melody after 3 minutes is incredible.The odd-metered drumming is again so crisp and the guitar solos are accompanied with keys and then violin. "The Arena" has Adler crying out the lyrics with passion and there is a nice solo from Matheos as well. "Chasing Time" is a great ballad written by Matheos and is also the title of their greatest hits cd. This may be a mellow tune but there is a powerful undercurrent throughout it. "Nothing Left To Say" is the final and longest song at 8 minutes. Matheos and Aresti open the song with solos as Zonder pounds away. The soundscape changes to a calm atmosphere with some good lazy guitar melodies from Aresti. The song picks up again as things get more intense and Matheos lets it rip.

This is a very special album in my opinion for various reasons. And it may be called "Perfect Symmetry" but I think it's just perfect.