Album Review: A Pleasant Shade of Gray
Appeared in: Music Voice Magazine (now called Arizona Musician)
             - a music magazine published in Arizona
By: Lorenzo Sierra (lsierra@acaonline.org)

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     Imagine an entire album made up of one hour-long song.
     
     Ambitious?
     
     Maniacal?
     
     Pretentious?
     
     Genius?
     
     Perhaps a little bit of each of those, but most assuredly 100 percent 
     Fates Warning.
     
     "A Pleasant Shade Of Gray" is Fates Warning's latest and most prolific 
     album. It is one continuous song that spans over 54 minutes and 12 
     parts. To describe would be like asking me what the purpose of life 
     is. Although the album is consistent in its moodiness, it is hard to 
     explain lyrically. In fact, the beauty of the album is that its 
     nonmusical content can be interpreted in numerous ways. But beware, 
     this album is not for the attention-challenged. It is complex in its 
     musical and lyrical presentation. It displays a depth that is uncommon 
     in today's musical world.
     
     Perhaps it is Fates Warning's depth that has kept the band from 
     achieving the notoriety befitting the band's skills. Fates Warning, I 
     feel, is destined to wander the earth as Van Gogh did: unappreciated 
     during his lifetime, but praised after his demise.
     
     "A Pleasant Shade Of Gray" captures many of Fates Warning's best 
     attributes from the last 15 years. The album moves from progressive 
     metal to industrial to classical without losing its continuity. For 
     the most part, it is dark and brooding, but methodical in its 
     delivery. It has a very  winter  feel to it. I am sure I will find a 
     different affection for it during the winter months when it is too 
     cold to go outside. It is rare that an album can move me in such a 
     way.
     
     As for the players, it is true to Fates Warnings record (although 
     there has not been a line-up shake-up in quite a while). The band 
     features one new member (bassist Joey Vera [ex- Armored Saint]) who 
	 joins vocalist Ray Alder, drummer Mark Zonder and guitarist Jim Matheos. 
	 Kevin Moore [ex-Dream Theater]) plays keyboards onthe album. It was Matheos 
     who penned both the words and music for this fabulous album. When the 
     band tours for "A Pleasant Shade Of Gray,"  the intention is to play 
     the entire work in its entirety. This should be a spectacular show and 
     if the tour hits your town, do not miss it. Until then, go out and get 
     this masterpiece.