Fates Warning began in the early 1980's playing a traditional style of heavy metal. However, they quickly began to adopt a more technically proficient style and are considered by many to be the first true prog-metal band. While the band has subsequently moved in more melodic and ambient directions, they have remained a vibrant and well-respected cornerstone for the prog camp within the heavy metal strata. 1988's No Exit served as Fates Warning's fourth full-length album overall and first with current singer Ray Alder who replaced John Arch after the release of 1986's Awaken the Guardian. One of the band's finest early efforts, songs like "Anarchy Divine," "In A Word" and "Shades of Heavenly Death" are technical marvels while the sprawling "The Ivory Gate of Dreams" finds the band in full on prog-metal mode.
