Pleasant Shade of Gray

Pleasant Shade of Gray

Track Listings

1. Pleasant Shade of Gray: Pt. 1

2. Pleasant Shade of Gray: Pt. 2

3. Pleasant Shade of Gray: Pt. 3

4. Pleasant Shade of Gray: Pt. 4

5. Pleasant Shade of Gray: Pt. 5

6. Pleasant Shade of Gray: Pt. 6

7. Pleasant Shade of Gray: Pt. 7

8. Pleasant Shade of Gray: Pt. 8

9. Pleasant Shade of Gray: Pt. 9

10. Pleasant Shade of Gray: Pt. 10

11. Pleasant Shade of Gray: Pt. 11

12. Pleasant Shade of Gray: Pt. 12

Tracks:

Part I
Part II
Part III
Part IV
Part V
Part VI
Part VII
Part VIII
Part IX
Part X
Part XI
Part XII

Customer Reviews:

A pleasant listening.......2007-05-22

While other prog-metal bands like Qüeensryche were missing creativity and punch on each new album in the 90's (for example, searching for radio friendly tunes), Fates Warning fortunately released on each subsequent album different and exciting music [which was ever unsuccessful or absent in MTV (at least the Brazilian MTV), an excellent indication of good music: bad for MTV = very good for whom, like me, appreciates good music!]. This is true for A Pleasant Shade of Gray: virtually a song of 54 min (in 12 parts) that never bored me. Fantastic performance of all musicians and the vocalist. The bass is very present and keyboards are in the right measure [just for atmospheric effects and background, no self indulgence or cheesy solos (arrrghh!!) as usual in Dream Theater and so many prog-metal bands]. There are sublime moments, as Parts III, V, VII, VIII, XI and XII, but all parts are fine, no filler, no cheesy tune. Highly recommended for any progressive or prog-metal fan. ****1/2 stars.

"Let nothing bleed into nothing".......2007-03-01

Fates Warning are often credited as the founders of progmetal, and are also considered by many to be one of the best in the genre. And, although I'm not a huge fan of progmetal anyway, I must agree. To be honest, a lot of their stuff isn't really my preferred style, although I consider it to be well above a lot of newer progmetal bands, most of which I just can't stand. This album, however, is something else entirely.

With "A Pleasant Shade of Gray", Fates Warning reached a level of brilliance that far eclipsed anything they did before, or have done since. This is a progmetal album, of that there is no doubt, but aesthetically it is very different from what one might expect. It is dark, melodic, brilliantly subtle, very multi-layered rhythmically and melodically, and the songwriting overall is just immacculate. A lot of people say that this album is slow, plodding, monotonous, etc, but I honestly don't hear that at all. Sure, it's not a shredfest by any means, but there's a lot going on here. Mark Zonder's drumming is dizzyingly intricate and nuanced, and Matheos's playing is crisp, tight, and extremely engaging. Not to mention, the amazing Kevin Moore contributes beautifully tasteful keyboard melodies as only he can.

As you probably know, the album is (or rather is meant to be) all one song, separated into 12 parts. Although the flow is excellent, and there are numerous repeated themes, it really sort of just feels like a concept album to me, not really all one song. But, that doesn't really matter, because either way, the album is meant to be taken as a whole, and in that sense it is a tremendous success. It goes beautifully from minimalist arrangements to dazzling proggy interludes, from chilling acoustic balladry to crunchy metal riffage. The highlight for me comes in Part VIII, in which Moore and Matheos play this mesmerizing unison line of piano and classical guitar. This is right up there with Pain of Salvation's "Dryad of the Woods" as one of the most beautiful things I've ever heard a progmetal band do.

And of course I can't forget Ray Alder. Having heard his vocals on previous albums before this, I never could have imagined how he'd mature here. He's toned down his soaring operatic 80's metal style a great deal, and belts out his vocals with pure dark emotion. Much like Geoff Tate, he started singing in more of a low range, and it only made him better. The vocals are still sort of operatic, but with much more style and restraint. I really can't imagine them fitting this album any more perfectly, especially with the touching, introspective lyrics, which are given a whole other level of power and conviction.

All in all, this is hands down one of the best progmetal albums I've ever heard. It really just doesn't get much better than this. Of course, I say this as a non-fan of progmetal, and the fact that it pretty much flies in the face of nearly everything progmetal is "supposed" to be is what I love about it the most. But, that said, I think any open-minded fan of the genre will greatly enjoy this, as long as you expect the unexpected. Either way, this is WAY too good to pass up.

Masterpiece.......2006-07-28

I am a prog rock and metal fan and I just need to say that this disc is a masterpiece and Matheos is a genius. This work goes beyond genres IMHO. It is beautiful throughout.

A Monster!!.......2006-05-26

This is one sprawling, marvelous piece of music (actually 12.) I would consider this pure progressive rock/ metal. Lots of space to breathe for us older geezers and parts that can entice you to bang your head with the best of them! Nice sound quality, vocals. Would be nice if there were more harmonies, but the way this music is performed more than compensates. Am going to check out more of their music, even though one of their other recordings felt more like "hair band metal" to me. Not as bad as Poison or anything! But this CD has a great feel and flow to it that makes it "easy" on the ears.

a very underrated prog rock masterpiece.......2005-07-21

I don't really understand why there are so many negative reviews on this one, coz if you're really a fan of prog rock you will difinitely like this one, the new guys joey vera and kevin moore really takes fates warning to another level, for me this is their best release, very atmospheric, melodic and sounds heavy plus mark zonder really shows his technical skills here. maybe most of the reviewers here really want some fast guitar solo's from jim matheos, come on guys we already know how good jim is and if you're looking for jim's shredding try awaken the guardian or parallels. Jim's playing great music here, listen to the track part 6, his solo here is very melodic and reminds me of john petrucci's solo on lines in the sand. and some reviewer here says that the best way to appreciate this record is to listen to a headphone and he's difinitely right, coz there are tracks here that can't be heard if you listen this to an open space. and if you miss one track while listening to this record, you miss the beauty of APOSG. its best not to skip a single track. once again this is not a typical fates warning record this is very diverse and don't expect fast guitar solos here coz there aint one here........

Average customer rating:

I love FAtes Warning
If you don't have this, get it!!!
excellent, intricate chops, quite possibly their best yet!

Pleasant Shade of Gray
Fates Warning
Manufacturer: Victo
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Progressive Metal | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000006ZTL
Release Date: 1997-07-02

Tracks:

Part I
Part II
Part III
Part IV
Part V
Part VI
Part VII
Part VIII
Part IX
Part X
Part XI
Part XII
Part II Remix Version

Album Details

Japanese Release to Include an Exclusive Bonus Track.

Customer Reviews:

I love FAtes Warning.......1999-08-09

fates warning is like one the best bands aroun

If you don't have this, get it!!!.......1999-03-16

Fates Warning is a very underrated group of talented artists. This recording is the best of their works.

excellent, intricate chops, quite possibly their best yet!.......1998-09-18

fates warning takes progressive metal to a whole new level it never ceases to amaze me how they come up with such great music.hopefully they keep it up and never ever leave the progressive metal scene!