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I've just signed up to this place, love it already! Thought I'd get some discussion going on people's favourite Fates album, and why. John Arch era goes without saying, surely.

For me, I find it almost impossible to choose between The Spectre Within and Awaken the Guardian - both contain some of my all-time favourite heavy metal songs, and both have stunning yet different atmospheres. I love the lyrics on both too, although that is another clear point of divergence. I could really talk all day about how much I love these two albums.

I thoroughly enjoy Night on Brocken also, but its rawer production job and less "enchanting" songwriting/atmosphere places it a rung beneath the next two for me.

I need to listen to No Exit more, but it's quite apparent that Arch's fantastic voice was the primary life-force of their sound.

Welcome!
This was just discussed over at Lapland Metal. My 2 cents:

Arch era: "Guardian'
-All three albums are good, but this one easily stands out. 'Brocken' is a very good but 'basic' heavy metal album. 'Spectre' has never really clicked with me; take away the amazing 'The Apparition' and I actually prefer 'Brocken'. 'Guardian' was sort of the culmination of their sound developing to its apex over the course of the 3 albums. 'Enchanting' is a good word for it.

Alder era: "Parallels'
This was the first CD I ever bought (tapes and vinyl a-plenty before that) and it's still one of my favorite albums. Great songwriting, great performances. IMO this is what power-prog metal should sound more like; excellent songwriting, great performances, but none of the self-indulgent, pointless show-off soloing. I know some find this album boring, but not for me. I never cared for 'No Exit'- total mess of an album with no direction and bores me to tears. 'Symmetry' is better, but I NEVER EVER feel the urge to play it. 'Inside Out' is alright but always felt like a rehashed version of 'Parallels'. After that I started losing track of 'em

nightsblood wrote:'Spectre' has never really clicked with me; take away the amazing 'The Apparition' and I actually prefer 'Brocken'.

I know exactly what you mean. Awaken was the first Fates album I got, and for at least a year Spectre didn't even come close. I didn't like the production as much, didn't think Arch's vocals were as mesmerising, didn't think the riffs held up as well. Now I love every track and think it's a masterpiece on par with it's successor... strange how some albums are real growers.

If I had to choose my least favourite song from both, it would be Pirates of the Underground and Prelude to Ruin respectively.

Usually AtG, but today if I have to play one, I think I'll go with PS or NE

Awaken the Guardian for sure. Amazing masterpiece of mystical and intricate metal.

The Spectre Within has never really clicked with me. It's good, but I prefer No Exit and Night on Brocken. I'm not really familiar with anything post No Exit.

You guys were never blown away by Orphan Gypsy!? Insanity!

FuneralCircle wrote:You guys were never blown away by Orphan Gypsy!? Insanity!

no but by Kyrie Eleison

The Spectre Within. Don't really care that much about the other albums in comparison, even though they're quite good.

Awaken the Guardian

Easy as hell. Night on Bröcken I don't care that much about, Spectre Within is very very good but Awaken The Guardian could very well be my favourite HM album.

I think that ATG is the better album as a whole, but Spectre has the best songs (Apparation and Orphan Gypsy, mainly).

I've not really given any post-Arch Fates Warning a chance...but 'The Spectre Within' is probably my favourite album full stop! I worship Awaken the Guardian too' but there's something extra mind-distorting, intoxicating and other-worldly about Spectre...it has an unmatched moribund majesty. Especially 'Epitaph'...fuck!

Points breakdown:
Spectre: 100%
AtG: 99.9999999999999%

How about adding a poll here to see some numbers

I first heard Fates through Kyrie Eleison and Traveler in Time as a young teenager. It's impossible for me to describe the feelings they evoked, something truly mystical. Still my two favorite Fates Warning songs, but yes, Awaken the Guardian is no fucking slouch. Actually, I can't even choose between the first three, but I'll say Spectre due to its sentimental value. Arch also never sounded more powerful.

"Awaken the Guardian" with Arch - simply love the power mixed with epic majesty

"No Exit" with Alder - their heaviest album, and the final suite is just amazing

No wonder I have both in the double cd edition (it was the only thing I could find back in time...)