The ardent fan of progressive metal will most certainly find him or herself going into convulsions over what might well be the prog metal album of the year. Yes…even surpassing Dream Theater. Sympathetic Resonance is the brainchild of former Fates Warning alumni vocalist John Arch and guitarist Jim Matheos, and the years have certainly been good to them. In fact, every player on this album has a tie to Fates Warning and it shows throughout. 

With six amazingly brilliant tracks, the first effort from this dynamic duo will hopefully lead to other collaborations of similar ilk in the future. From the first notes of “Neurotically Wired” the pulse starts going and the toes start tapping, and that is only driven harder by the entry of Arch’s vocals, which never seem to age! At 52, the guy is still hitting all notes and ascending the spectrum beautifully. As a longtime Fates Warning fan, especially the Night on Brocken through Awaken the Guardian era, this album takes me right back to that period. This is the true definition of progressive metal from the ground up and covers every bare spot with some of the finest musical harmonies I’ve heard in some time. What always impresses me is how a band can put together a song in the ten to 13-minute range and never have it bore you for even a moment through its duration. Each track on this record does that and then some, making it one of the must-hears of the year thus far. 

Matheos handles his guitar with the expertise and efficiency of a man possessed, driving riff after gargantuan riff into your brain like a slippery railroad spike and leaving you wanting more. “Stained Glass Sky” has some of the best riffing I’ve heard in a track in some time, speeding into the room like a frenzied kid off Ritalin and finally nestling into the comforts of cool chord-balance as Arch offers up a soaring vocalization that calms the waters, if only for a moment. These two are without question one of the most potent and lethal combinations for metal music since Halford and Tipton, Dickinson and Murray or Blackmore and Dio; all of the emotions contained in these tracks are honest and without dilution or pollution. I’m simply so enthralled by this music that I’m already planning on digging out my old Fates Warning records and spinning them this week until the neighbors comes at me with sharp sticks. In all seriousness I don’t see this leaving my player for a while, and with the long drives I have ahead of me this will be a wonderful companion. The crisp production only makes it more brilliant, as bassist Joey Vera thumps away in his usual familiar style. Second guitarist Frank Arersti and drummer Bobby Jarzombek round out the picture with absolute perfection.

For a medium that prides itself on some of the more thoughtful, attentive metal music out there, progressive metal is not for everyone. If you’re of a cerebral frame of mind and truly enjoy the subtle charms and beauty that usually emanates from this style then you missing this record by these two geniuses is only to your discredit. I usually end with some witty banter to hopefully get you to smile and seek out these records by fine artists on my humble recommendation, but in this case it’s only your loss if you miss Sympathetic Resonance. It’s probably the record of the year for me so far and you really should hear this and find out exactly why this often undervalued genre is forcing its way upward.

TRACK LISTING

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*Comments:

1.  Neurotically Wired
2.  Midnight Serenade
3.  Stained Glass Sky
4.  On The Fence
5.  Any Given Day
     (Strangers Like Me)
6.  Incense and Myrrh

Total playing time:  54:35

Release Date: September 9, 2011
Label: Metal Blade Records

Arch/Matheos - Sympathetic Resonance

Reviewer: Chris

September 28, 2011