When Mark Zonder parted ways with Fates Warning, a lot of us harboured the suspicion (and hope) that he had just grown disillusioned seeing the band gradually abandon all traces of proggy complexity and settle into the hazy stupor that plagued a large part of FWX. I actually pictured him leaping onto a passing steed and charging back into the thick of metal, cymbal shield and hilted drumstick brandished, using his fragmented attacking to confound and slay non-believers.

Slavior doesn't quite deliver on that hope, though admittedly, very few things could, outside of a Monty Python re-enactment of The Battle of Pelennor Fields. By collaborating with Gregg Analla, best known for fronting the Roy Z band Tribe of Gypsies, he's ensured that this venture can never stray too far from radio-ready pop-metal. And he's also guaranteed the most inane lyrics in any album he's ever worked on. Still, that doesn't necessarily spell death by stereo.

To be fair, they do try their hand incorporating some different styles like reggae, funk and rap along with their otherwise by-the-numbers lite-metal. And 'Dove', the song which reflects this the most, is also easily the catchiest number they've got. I think it's also their first single, which means the band shares that opinion. The problem is once you get past the initial catchiness, there's really not much to justify too many replays, even with those parts where the formula works and elevates it above mediocrity. I imagine it's fun to cruise at 5 km/h, nodding your head to the chorus of the title track and mouth along whenever Analla ribbits "lightitup lightitup..." Sort of. Or maybe not.

Zonder's still at it hammer and tongs, though. This album gives him much more room to stretch out his limbs than his last couple of outings with Fates Warning. It's just a little painful that the rest of the show doesn't do it justice. Anyway, if you have a soft spot for the catchy, you might be interested in giving this a couple of spins.

Year of release: 2007

Label: InsideOut 

Lineup:

Mark Zonder - drums

Greg Analla - vocals

Wayne Findlay - guitar, bass, keyboards 

External links:

Myspace page

Youtube video of 'Dove'