Who still remembers John Arch or his wonderfully twisted vocals that gave the old Fates Warning so much style and class? Do not feel ashamed if you don’t, for it has been 15 years since he left Fates Warning and Ray Alder took his place. It has been 15 long, long years without hearing anything from John. He is back but for how long? Well, that seems uncertain for now, let us first take a look at his new album.

A Twist Of Fate is actually not so much an album as it is an almost half hour long EP with only two songs, “Relentless” and “Cheyenne”. After a very short intro, the music dies and John’s vocals start a spine chilling melody, and then suddenly burst into a wall of guitars that reminds painstakingly of Fates Warning. I sit here, stunned, my mind drifting, the music continues and chills run down my spine as I relive the wonderful melodies of the Fates Warning of old. Remember the superb albums The Spectre Within or Awaken The Guardian? Well I do and once I recovered from my state of shock I immediately checked the biography sheet that came along with the album. Things started to dawn right then and there: Jim Matheos and Joey Vera of Fates Warning fame are part of this EP as well as Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy and I can tell you this dream team line-up does an excellent job.

By now you might start to think that A Twist Of Fate sounds like a Fates Warning clone but I can guarantee you that this is not the case.

Sure, like I mentioned before, there are Fates Warning elements and I mean a whole lot of them, especially John’s vocal lines but there are enough modern influences to set this album apart from whatever Fates Warning did with John still in the band. The title of this EP is therefore very well chosen, it is a twist of Fates Warning.

Both songs are well over 10 minutes long but don’t bore for a single second. They could have basically been divided in shorter songs, something that also strongly reminds of Fates Warning. The music is progressive and melodic with touches of Dream Theater and modern Fates Warning but still refreshing and original all the way. It’s absolutely fantastic to hear John’s voice again, it brings back those nostalgic feelings of days long gone and I can assure you that if you enjoy an album like The Spectre Within you will love this EP. If on the other hand you are more into newer Fates Warning or Dream Theater, I advice you to give this EP a try because there are enough modern elements (especially in the second song “Cheyenne”) to suit your taste. All I can say is that I sincerely hope that John doesn’t leave it at this because I’m really looking forward to a full length album.