341 - Fates Warning Life in still water 1991

Although John Arch was an outstanding vocalist in his quasi-operatic style, and recorded unforgettable tracks with the band, with the recruitment of their new singer Ray Alder Fates Warning started moving towards a more accessible sound. The album trilogy of "No Exit", "Perfect Symmetry" and "Parallels" shows an evolution that really comes to its own here. "Parallels" is the perfect marriage of challenging, thoughtful and easily accessible music. It is catchy, yet long lasting, technical and detailed. Guitarist Jim Matheos is responsible for writing all the music. Ray Alder sings with a ton of emotion and his voice holds a certain sadness that really hits home. He is much more controlled than on the previous two records and it suits his voice. Mark Zonder shows his incredible skill on the drums by constantly changing patterns and adding a ton of detail to the music. I cannot stress how amazing it is listening to him play. Joe Dibiase on bass is another creative spirit roaming free. His bass lines often lead the way and bring both intensity and extra nuances to the melodies. "Life in Still water" holds genuine tension until it is finally released in the chorus. James LaBrie sings backup on the track.