#36 - Top of 2019

Arch/Matheos - Winter Ethereal (Metal Blade)

Former Fates Warning band-mates John Arch and Jim Matheos, after the triumphant 2011 debut of their collaborative project, returned last year with an excellent successor, "Winter Ethereal" Once more, the music here is complex and heavy at the same time, with the warmth of Arch's voice complimenting the superb riffing of Matheos. By combining themes of old Fates Warning with fresher music elements and making riffing more direct to its predecessor, they achieve to sound more apart from the latest incarnation of Fates Warning than their previous effort. And while this may alienate some of the more prog-affiliated listeners, fans of the more metallic side of the band will surely rejoice. Despite the ease with which this album flows, it explores a ton of different places. The album kicks off with‘Vermilion Moons’ which evokes a darker and sombre mood, however there are multiple moods expressed throughout the record, as we are treated to power metal energy levels (the epic "Wrath of the universe" and the dynamic"Straight and narrow"), introspection ("Tethered") and even philosophical bouts ("Kinded Spirits"). Throughout the journey that is Winter Etheral, there are heavy metal riffing aplenty and labyrinthine structures coupled with superb musicianship. In conclusion, Arch / Matheos have once been able to produce an exceptional album of contemporary progressive metal music without sounding derivative or repetitive.


93.1/100


Below are the music videos for "Straight and Narrow" and "Tethered"