简介：

和Queensrÿche、Dream Theater并称三大前卫金属的Fates Warning，早期作品深受NWOBHM风潮的影响，同时也建立於美派Power Metal的结实架构。成军至今超过30个年头，现今阵容為：创始元老吉他手Jim Matheos、第二代主唱Ray Alder、1996年入团的贝斯手Joey Vera、原為录音室和巡演的客席鼓手Bobby Jarzombek等四位主将。1984年发行首张专辑《Night On Bröcken》，太趋近Iron Maiden风格，以至评价和销售皆不尽理想，直到1986年的《Awaken The Guardian》才开始动摇美国市场。换上感染力更為强烈的主唱Ray Alder问市《No Exit》，不仅以独立厂牌的姿态盘旋美国流行榜中13週时间，入选IGN多媒体网站「25张顶尖金属专辑」第14名！进入90年代的Fates Warning更意气风发，凭藉《Parallels》一举攻上告示牌热门潜力榜TOP20，加上1997年的《A Pleasant Shade Of Gray》，两张专辑Rock Hard杂誌分别送上满分与9分评价，全数入籍「史上500张经典摇滚&金属专辑」名单！2000年的《Disconnected》，前Dream Theater键盘手Kevin Moore则是第三度担任键盘手重任，再加上Jim Matheos的全力经营，使得这张概念专辑成為前卫金属传世大碟！

国前卫金属乐界的大老级乐团Fates Warning，出道时间比Dream Theater还早，1983年即成军于康乃狄克州，84年得到了Metal Blade Records的合约，并正式发表第一张专辑《Night On Brocken》。 尽管是和Dream Theater齐名，并列美国前两大前卫金属乐团，然而比起Dream Theater的大放异彩与受到乐迷的致高崇敬，Fates Warning显然就不若DT那般的耀眼，不过多年以来，却也始终获到乐迷的忠心拥戴，并能继续不断地创作出优秀的作品来。 

Fates Warning早期的乐风可说深受Iron Maiden的影响，从前三张专辑《Night On Brocken》、《The Spectre Within》、《Awaken The Guardian》 中便可以感受到浓浓的Iron Maiden式的吉他刷扣，不过FW显然更加深了编曲的复杂度，我十分喜欢他们早期这种带有thrash味的乐曲。 

而FW的第三张专辑《Awaken The Guardian》已经开始展现其长篇幅复杂编曲的功力，如专辑中的《Prelude To Ruin》(7:20)、《Guardian》(7:32)，有着多段落式的编曲，强烈的thrash riff，与多处变拍、过门转折，这在当时来说，算是相当突出与先进的作法。 

Legendary progressive metal act Fates Warning celebrated the 30th anniversary of their third album, Awaken the Guardian, in 2016. The album was to become their final release to feature vocalist John Arch. That era's lineup was rounded out by bassist Joe DiBiase, drummer Steve Zimmerman, along with current guitarist Frank Aresti and, of course, Jim Matheos. Awaken the Guardian also holds the honor as the band's very first release to debut on the Billboard charts.

Awaken the Guardian remains an important album for the band's fans worldwide. Decibel Magazine remarked in their Hall of Fame no. 134 entry that "Each member still talks with great pride of its creation, each blown away by the feedback it has received since its release 30 years ago, each amazed at the powerful and positive impact it has had on so many lives." To celebrate 30 years since the album's release, Matheos reassembled the Awaken the Guardian-era lineup for two special festival appearances: Keep it True XIX in Lauda-Konigshofen, Germany and Prog Power USA XVII in Atlanta, GA. Fortunately for fans that were not able to attend, each show was filmed and recorded!

John Arch comments about the experience: "It was truly a surreal experience being able to share the spirit of 'Awaken The Guardian' at these shows. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the fans that have given back so much over the 30 year span since the album's release. To all our family and friends, much gratitude."

曲目：

 Keep It True XIX

01. The Sorceress

02. Valley of the Dolls

03. Fata Morgana

04. Guardian

05. Prelude to Ruin

06. Giant's Lore (Heart of Winter)

07. Time Long Past

08. Exodus

09. The Apparition

10. Damnation

11. Night on Brocken

12. Epitaph

  ProgPower XVII

13. The Sorceress

14. Valley of the Dolls

15. Fata Morgana

16. Guardian

17. Prelude to Ruin

18. Giant's Lore (Heart of Winter)

19. Time Long Past

20. Exodus

21. Damnation

22. The Apparition

23. Kyrie Eleison

24. Epitaph

发行公司：Metal Blade Records

时长：01:23:57 + 01:23:29