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12/31/1998 Entry: "1998 News Archive"
12/05/98 News from Jim Matheos about his new solo album and the potential for an upcomming Fates Warning tour:
"Right now I'm in the middle of recording the solo record. This one is a bit different from FI. More upbeat. Aside from myself on guitar it features Michael Manring on bass, Charlie Bisharat on violin and some guy named Zonder on drums (I hear he's pretty good). Should be done by the end of the year. Winter tour is still possible but doubtful. I'll keep you posted."
12/05/98 Joey Vera will be playing bass on an instrumental solo album by Empty Tremor's keyboard player, Daniele Liverani.
For more information on Empty Tremor, see the following website:
http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Venue/1794/
11/15/98 Fates is still rumored to be doing a brief US tour in mid January 1999. According to Neal Morse (Spock's Beard), Spock's Beard will not be opening for any of those dates. he also stated that the "super-group" project with himself, Mike Portnoy, Jim Matheos and Pete Trewavas has been postponed due to scheduling conflicts.
Also, Joey Vera is currently working on new Armored Saint material for an upcomming album/tour.
10/19/98 This is a message I received from Nick van Dyk (NVANDYK@artisanent.com):
"Ray, Mark and I are working on a new side project, tentatively called Maggie Speaks. It's an eclectic mix of music, some atmospheric stuff but mostly pretty aggressive. We're busy writing now and are hoping to get into the studio before the end of the year for release sometime in the first few months of next year. It's unclear whether this will be distributed solely through the internet or whether a label will pick it up for distribution. Stay tuned for details." Keep watching this page for the latest info on this.
10/19/98 It appears that the planned "supergroup" project with Mike Portnoy, Jim Matheos, Neal Morse and Pete Trewavas has been post-poned. No further information is available at this time, but stay tuned here for the latest news.
9/26/98 This in from www.dreamtheater.net:
In December 1998, Mike Portnoy will be in the studio for another "Supergroup" project. This time, the line-up will be as follows :
Mike Portnoy (drums)
Jim Matheos of Fates Warning (guitar)
Neal Morse of Spock's Beard (vocals, keyboards)
Pete Trewavas of Marillion (bass)
Dream Theater will re-group in early 1999 to begin work on a new studio album.
9/26/98 The band Steel Prophet has recorded a cover version of the song "The Apparition" for their upcomming release, "Dark Hallucination" due out in March 1999. See the Steel Prophet web page for the latest info.
9/25/98 It appears that Ray will not be singing on the next James Murphy solo album.
9/04/98 It seems that the new CD has already been released n Europe. No word on the release date for the Japanese pressing with the bonus track. US release date is still October 6th.
8/28/98 From Jim Matheos concerning tour rumors: "We had planned to do some dates on our own after the KX thing fell through but have sinced abandoned the idea so I can focus on writing. I'm working on another acoustic CD to be recroded in October then I plan to start writing for the next Fates disc. Also a possibility of a FW/ Spock's Beard (have you heard these guys, amazing !) tour in January."
8/22/98 From Metal Blade: The new Fates double CD will list for $16.98 on CD (not bad for a 2 disc set) and $10.98 for 2 cassette set.
8/01/98 Fates Warning will not be joining King's X and the Galactic Cowboys on their up coming tour. Although they may still do a brief tour in support of the live album.
7/24/98 The cover art for Still Life has changed, you can view it on the Discography page.
The cover concept was by Jim Matheos, Ray Alder made the head and Alex Solca shot the photo's.
In case you missed the original artwork proposed for the album cover, it was the head picture that now appears on the CD itself and behind the jewel case tray.
7/13/98 The new live album, Still Life, will be released October 6, 1998. Here is the track listing:
CD one
APSOG (51:55)
CD two
Ivory Gate of Dreams (20:53)
The Eleventh Hour (8:14)
Point of View (4:33)
Monument (6:46)
At Fates Hands (6:47)
Prelude to Ruin (3:39)
We only Say Goodbye (4:40)
The bonus track for Japan is "In Trance" (a cover of the Scorpion's song).
7/02/98 One of the first (unconfirmed) dates for the Fates Warning / King's X / Galactic Cowboys date is October 8, 1998 at the Jaxx Nite Club in Springfield, VA.
6/25/98 Fates Warning just recorded a cover version of the Scorpion's song 'In Trance' as a bonus track for the Japanese version of the Live album.
6/01/98 Metal Blade is organizing a tour for later in the year that will feature Fates Warning, King's X and the Galactic Cowboys. No confirmed dates yet. If you have a good idea for the title of this tour, send your suggestions to Tracy Vera ( EGWENEALVE@aol.com).
5/25/98 According to Metal Blade, the Fates Warning live double CD is scheduled to be released on October 6, 1998. Terry Brown is currently finishing the mix. No confirmed title as of yet.
5/18/98 During the Dream Theater show at the House of Blues in Los Angeles, California on this date, Ray Alder joined the band to sing vocals on their song "Pull Me Under". Also appearing as a special guest this night was Bruce Dickinson, who sang some Iron Maiden songs with the band.
5/10/98 Ray Alder is slated to sing some vocals on the next James Murphy solo album.
4/13/98 It does not look like John Arch will be performing with Fates at any of the European shows. Not sure exactly for the reason, but rumor has it that John just does not feel his voice is up to it after so many years of not singing. It's a shame, but only John knows if he feels up to performing or not.
3/13/98 It is confirmed that the second guitarist for this leg of the tour will be Bernie Versailles, former guitarist with the band Agent Steel.
3/11/98 I have been told by very good sources that John Arch has agreed to come out to one of the European shows (probably Tilburg) and sing a song. Now, this is not 100% guaranteed to happen, but it does look very promising.
2/13/98 The following news has been confirmed by Fates Warning:
Ivory Gate of Dreams will be played at all U.S. and European shows!
A second Guitar player is definate, though who is not confirmed yet.
The live recording will take place in Tilburg, Offenbach, and perhaps Italy.
There's also a small chance of a guest appearance by someone special (John Arch?).
2/07/98 Dates for the "Third Leg" of the tour are starting to appear, see the Tour Dates page. Apparently, Jason Keazer of Divine Regale will be performing keyboard duties again.
2/01/98 Update on Frank Aresti (from John McCabe - caber1@concentric.net):
His new band is called "All That Is", they are not signed yet so there is no CD available. They put together three demos and have them out to all of the major labels. The band is very picky and actually doesn't want offers from non-major labels. Frank is the lead vocalist. He has a very unique voice.{I'm told} "To answer the question about the band's sound, I guess I'd have to say that it's not metal at all but a mixture of many types of music. In a nutshell, take a band like The Police, mix with Boston and wrap it up with The Beatles. It's sound is very energetic and emotional with strong melodies and Beatle-esque harmonies." Joe Martin (former bass player with the group).
1/12/98 Metal Blade has confirmed that the APSOG tour/conceptual video will be released on March 24, 1998. In addition, the live album will be recorded in early March, but not released until September or October.
1/02/98 The latest word is that work is completed on the live video, so it looks like the March release date should be about right.
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