Fates Warning "No Exit"

No Exit is the fourth studio album by progressive metal band Fates Warning, released in 1988 through Metal Blade Records. It is the first Fates Warning album to feature current vocalist Ray Alder, who replaced John Arch after the release of Awaken the Guardian (1986), as well as the last to feature drummer Steve Zimmerman, who left the band just prior to the recording of their subsequent album Perfect Symmetry (1989). The title was inspired by No Exit, a 1944 play written by French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre.

Musically, No Exit is considerably different from the band's previous efforts, incorporating strong elements of thrash metal, although maintaining the complex structures and powerful vocal performances found in the earlier albums. Although the lyrics are less influenced by fantasy themes which were predominant in the earlier albums, the philosophical element is still present.

No Exit has had two major reissues. The first was in 1992 as part of a double album with Awaken the Guardian. The second was a remastered edition containing three bonus tracks and a DVD of live material, released on September 4, 2007 to coincide with Metal Blade's 25th anniversary.

Track list:

1. No Exit 00:41  
2. Anarchy Divine 03:46   
3. Silent Cries 03:17   
4. In a Word 04:25   
5. Shades of Heavenly Death 05:56   
6. The Ivory Gate of Dreams 21:25

Time:  39:30  

Trivia:

- The album peaked at #111 on the Billboard 200.

The Ivory Gate of Dreams consists of eight parts:

I. Innocence (01:13)

II. Cold Daze (02:15)

III. Daylight Dreamers (03:06)

IV. Quietus (04:25)

IV. Ivory Tower (03:17)

VI. Whispers on the Wind (02:24)

VII. Acquiescence (04:24)

VIII. Retrospect (01:01)

Music videos:

- Anarchy Divine

- Silent Cries

Recording information:

All songs arranged by Fates Warning.

Recorded at Carriage House, Ct, Oct-Dec 1987.