Search - Fates Warning: Live in Athens on DVD

Too bad they didn't do this 10 years ago.

Eric M. Englert | Bridgeville, Pa United States | 12/01/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"They finally did it right. After a few disappointing live video releases, Fates has finally given us a live show to be proud of. The sound and video quality are excellent. The poor camera work is my only gripe. These guys never seem to be on the right page. When Jim is playing a lead, the camera is on everyone but Jim. When Frank is playing lead, the camera is on Jim or somebody else. Kevin Moore comes out to play on Still Remains and unless you read the credits on the inside sleeve, you would never notice because the camera never really focuses on him. It's a bit frustrating. While I'm on my rant I must say that I am a fan of Fates Warning Since 1985. I appreciate every era of the band throughout it's evolution. I am a huge fan of Ray Alder and absolutely love his voice and vocal range. His voice sounds great throughout the show and he does a nice job. Now the bad news. For all you Ray Alder fans out there you might want to stop reading this here. Ray can't sing the high notes anymore. It's a sad day for me to say it. He punks out on every occasion when the time comes to kick it up a notch and do what he should be able to do. Quietus, Point of view, Nothing Left to Say, and most sadly The Eleventh Hour. It must be the 20 years of Marlboro's because he can't do it anymore. Very sad. Now for the good stuff. The setlist is great, yea I know that there is nothing from the John Arch era. If you were paying attention to my rant about Ray then you shouldn't wonder why that is. The more recent stuff sounds great and the band absolutely rocks them live. Face the Fear was a nice track to play and sounded great. In my opinion, having Frank Aresti back on stage is the key to the show. Those of you out there who have seen Fates in recent times with only one guitar(Jim), or a fill in guy know that it wasn't the same. Frank brings back that sharp, tight, and crisp guitar work that has been missed for many years. They sound like Fates Warning again! Nick D'Virgillio does a capable job on the drums. Mark Zonder would have made it perfect for me. Joey Vera is excellent and remember that Kevin Moore also makes an appearance. This DVD is a must have for any fan of Fates Warning. I just wish that they would have done this kind of thing back on the "Parallel" or "Inside Out" tours. They were at the top of there game with the old lineup and i only have memories to look back on. Oh well, this DVD helps to ease the pain. Buy it!!!!!"

Almost perfect

Daniel Siconnelli | Beneath the Bermuda Triangle | 12/05/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"A lot to dig more than the Dynamo live. Not that it was that bad, but I hate daylight shows.

This one is a must. My only complain is that Alder feels so lazy. Everytime he's about to sing the higher older melodies he falls back. He doesnt miss the songs but they lack the original feel.

Maybe he was tired or something or maybe he should have some weeks of singing classes to get it back. Labrie did it (though he had some vocal sickness too).

All other musicians are excellent. But the drummer is REALLY no Mark Zonder. Everything he plays is so simplified from the original.

Overall it's still very good."

Excellent DVD with a great set list for true Fates fans..

Tim Umstead | Huntsville, AL USA | 11/25/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This DVD was a welcome purchase after the low quality of the previous Fates DVD. The set list is a great one with songs from every album of the Ray Alder era. The sound was nice and clear with everything being able to be heard. There isn't much of a stage set-up, just the guys up there jamming, but I don't care. I have been waiting for a quality live video from Fates Warning for a long time, and Live In Athens does not disappoint. Definite must have for Fates fans, and a great purchase for anyone into excellent music."

The view from there

praj | Australia | 02/17/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Not a lavish production by any means, this is just an honest audience-eye view of a FW show, no real close-ups or staged theatrics. This DVD is long overdue for these guys, who have put out some crappy DVD's.
They certainly do their best on this and I've gotta say I like most of the versions better than the originals. There is some added guitar harmony work here and there which really helps some songs. Ray Alder also varies some of the vocals which is an improvement (especially in the one liner repeated choruses). Aresti's backing vox add depth too.
The unfortunate things are that the cameras miss most of guitar solos (Aresti is a flashy player well worth seeing) and Alder doesn't hit any of the high notes. I don't mind the latter so much as it happens to work quite well and sounds more mature, except at the end of Nothing Left to Say, which builds up and then fizzles a bit.
Nick D-Virgilo from Spock's Beard laps up Zonder's drum bits and shows why he is such a great drummer alongside the creativity of Zonder and Portnoy's prolification.
I hope they can transfer more of the organic energy and variation from this live performance to their next album."