Arch/Matheos - Winter Ethereal (2019)

There is something intriguing about these duo collaborations that we see from time to time, an opportunity to see if two heads truly are better than one, and to see two different artist merge together to create something special. Projects like Allen/Lande, Kiske/Somerville, and Lindemann all have something interesting to offer, bringing together fan bases from two bands into one. This duo project however, works a little differently. Vocalist John Arch and guitarist Jim Matheos are long time friends who are two of five original members of legendary prog metal group Fates Warning, with Matheos still remaining with that band, and Arch leaving 1987, only three years after its inception. So with both of them working together again, can we expect more Fates Warning type music? Not necessarily, but add to the fact that the remaining members of the current rendition of Fates Warning helps out in this record, you should probably see this as Fates Warning 2.0.

So "Winter Ethereal" is album number two from the duo, released eight years after the debut "Sympathetic Resonance", and the differences are fairly slim between the two records, with both obviously featuring Arch's soaring vocals and Matheos' precise guitar work. The debut record was more experimental in its approach, going for fewer and longer songs, while "Winter Ethereal" is more straight forward, with only one track eclipsing the 10 minute mark and the overall sound being more classic prog metal. It might make some things more predictable, but the quality is not lost because of it.

There is a ton to unpack from this 1 hour and 8 minute monster, a lot of technical goodies that will take you a lot of time to discover. "Winter Ethereal" is definitely one of these albums where you keep finding new little bits and pieces to enjoy, and most of this is thanks to Matheos who is making some amazing intricate work with his guitar. Some of the solos and riffs in here are some of the most imaginative ones you will hear all year, and he never steps over the line to be a full on guitar wanker, spewing you with all his talent. No, he does this the right way, he lets the music do its work instead of showing off, both in the fast, heavy parts, and also on the slower, more delicate parts.

Arch also deserves credit of course, and while I am not fully on board on his extremely high vocal style, he does fit the music quite well, delivering lots of passionate moments that lifts the music even higher. There are still some parts where Arch is trying way too hard, where he definitely would have benefited by lowering the volume on his vocal chords, but for a guy who is over 50 and is not that much active as his companion, he still hangs around well enough.

So as a prog metal fan, there is no doubt that you should at least check out this album, because it features two immensely talented people making some great, innovative music together. The run time might be a little too long, and some songs are easily lost in the shuffle, but "Winter Ethereal" is still a fun ride through the twists and turns of what could have been a Fates Warning record, but is only in spirit.

Songs worthy of recognition: Wrath of The Universe, Vermilion Moons, Tethered, Never In Your Hands

Rating: 8/10 Solitary Men

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