Fates Warning Aren’t Ready to Wave a “White Flag” Just Yet

Fates Warning have been pumping music out since ’82. Let’s pause for a second and think about the fact that these guys have been around making music for more than three decades and don’t know the meaning of the word “surrender.”

Their career is a good allegory for the lyrical content of their new track, “White Flag,” which, as it turns out, is a track all about not giving in. Fates Warning could’ve thrown in the flag years ago, but they didn’t; sure, they took a hiatus, but they came back and produced some great new material.

FW’s new single is a powerhouse of strategically placed riffs that glide seamlessly between time signatures and blazing solos that are equal parts melodic and technical. Couple that with tight drums and Ray Alder’s outstanding vocals, and you’ve got something that might just catch your fancy if you’re a fan of ’80s era thrash and progressive metal. If it doesn’t catch your fancy… well, then just sit back and watch the guitar work. It’s still quite good, even if technicality has become more of a norm since FW debuted back in the day.

Fates Warning’s new album, Theories of Flight, comes out July 1st. In the meantime, sit back and check out another playthrough from musicians that are probably much better at wielding a guitar than you. Or me.