FATES WARNING — Night On Bröcken (review)

FATES WARNING — Night On Bröcken album cover Album · 1984 · Heavy Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
2/5 ·
martindavey87
Back in the early 80's when the metal world was going crazy for the rise of thrash metal and the NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal), a new, Connecticut-based band quietly unleashed this gem upon the world, to little or no mainstream recognition; Fates Warning were laying down the blueprint for what would become progressive metal.

Sounding almost identical to early Iron Maiden, 'Night on Bröcken' takes most of its influence from the NWOBHM, with melodic, galloping guitar riffs, choc-full of harmonies and duel-guitar leads. Vocalist John Arch even sounds like Maiden's Bruce Dickinson at times. But with some interesting song arrangements and a few odd time-signatures thrown in, Fates Warning were laying down the foundations that bands like Dream Theater and Queensrÿche would build upon to make prog metal what it is today.

Fates Warning would certainly go on to release better albums than this, but this is a good, solid debut, with some memorable songs and some catchy hooks. Sadly, this record hasn't really stood the test of time, as it's mostly forgotten about today. But if you like NWOBHM or you're interested to hear the roots of progressive metal, then it's worth keeping an eye out for.
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martindavey87 wrote:
more than 2 years ago
Haha yep. I have a different version where the cover is a picture of the moon or something (I can't really remember, but definitely better than this one).
Unitron wrote:
more than 2 years ago
Yeah, nothing says heavy metal like colored pencil bootleg storybook illustrations. ;-)
Vim Fuego wrote:
more than 2 years ago
Holyfuckingshit that is an awful cover!

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