North Sea Echoes, the duo helmed by Fates Warning members Ray Alder and Jim Matheos, has released a new music video for “The Mission” from their debut album, ‘Really Good Terrible Things‘. Fans can check out the animated video HERE.

On the lyrical narrative for “The Mission“, Alder shares, “A man experiences a psychotic episode in which he hears voices. I think this is pretty obvious. This was the last song written for the album. It almost didn’t make it. Jim thought the album was a bit too short so we added it last minute. I’m glad we did. It’s one of my favorites.”

What press is saying about ‘Really Good Terrible Things‘:

“[Really Good Terrible Things] sounds more like the start of something thrillingly fresh and vital than the next chapter in a long-established, collaborative saga. A triumph for tenderness and finesse…” – Blabbermouth

“a force of nature in its own right, and is worthy of repeated listens from metalheads and non-metalheads alike.” – Sonic Perspectives

“wisdom and authenticity really shine here.” – The PROG Mind

“an album that rewards multiple listens and opens up new sonic moods and territories.” – Cryptic Rock

“neither good nor terrible. These songs are really great things.” – Progressive Music Planet

ORDER HERE

‘Really Good Terrible Things‘ (Tracklist)
01. Open Book
02. Flowers in Decay
03. Unmoved
04. Throwing Stones
05. Empty
06. The Mission
07. Where I’m From
08. We Move Around the Sun
09. Touch the Sky
10. No Maps

Ray Alder and Jim Matheos’ musical legacy is vast and lauded, both as collaborators and individuals. Alder has been the vocalist and main co-writer for prog metal heroes Fates Warning for the past 35 years. With them, he has recorded 10 albums between 1988 (No Exit) and 2020 (Long Day Good Night). Further rounding out his discography are seven albums with Redemption, two solo albums, and the band A-Z with Mark Zonder, which debuted in 2022.

Prolific and pioneering guitarist/producer Matheos is a co-founder of Fates Warning, the lineup debuting with 1984’s Night on Bröcken on Metal Blade. In addition to 13 albums with Fates, Matheos’ myriad other work includes several solo albums, four albums alongside former Dream Theater keyboardist Kevin Moore, under the name OSI, and new band, Kings of Mercia, a lineup that’s been termed “a hybrid; it’s heavy, but not metal.”

“Throughout Really Good Terrible Things, Matheos and Alder serve up the kind of seductive melancholy Fates Warning fans will recognize,” says Jeff Wagner, author of the Fates Warning book Destination Onward. “Yet there’s a thoroughly different approach here: vocals are delivered with a sort of nostalgic sadness, and the guitar work is layered in such a way as to feel dreamlike. These are rich sonic landscapes, visiting places haunting, beautiful, spectral and secret. The Matheos/Alder partnership is taken to some new and wonderful places here,” Wagner concludes.

Really Good Terrible Things shows the breadth and versatility of the acclaimed pair, along with a freshness that belies their long musical partnership. “We both still love making music and we really enjoy working together. There’s a good amount of chemistry there, I think,” Matheos shares. “We both know what to expect from each other.“

North Sea Echoes – lineup
Jim Matheos – guitar
Ray Alder – vocals

North Sea Echoes online
https://northseaechoes.com
https://www.metalblade.com/northseaechoes

North Sea Echoes, the duo helmed by Fates Warning members Ray Alder and Jim Matheos, has released another single from their newly released debut album, ‘Really Good Terrible Things‘. Fans can check out the record’s fourth single, “Throwing Stones“, along with an accompanying animated video HERE.

On “Throwing Stones“, Alder shares, “This is a strange one. Some people have a fear of happiness. They feel that something painful always follows pleasure. So they’re sort of locked into this world where they try to feel nothing. It’s called Cherophobia.”

What press is saying about ‘Really Good Terrible Things‘:

“[Really Good Terrible Things] sounds more like the start of something thrillingly fresh and vital than the next chapter in a long-established, collaborative saga. A triumph for tenderness and finesse…” – Blabbermouth

“a force of nature in its own right, and is worthy of repeated listens from metalheads and non-metalheads alike.” – Sonic Perspectives

“wisdom and authenticity really shine here.” – The PROG Mind

“an album that rewards multiple listens and opens up new sonic moods and territories.” – Cryptic Rock

“neither good nor terrible. These songs are really great things.” – Progressive Music Planet

ORDER HERE

‘Really Good Terrible Things‘ (Tracklist)
01. Open Book
02. Flowers in Decay
03. Unmoved
04. Throwing Stones
05. Empty
06. The Mission
07. Where I’m From
08. We Move Around the Sun
09. Touch the Sky
10. No Maps

Ray Alder and Jim Matheos’ musical legacy is vast and lauded, both as collaborators and individuals. Alder has been the vocalist and main co-writer for prog metal heroes Fates Warning for the past 35 years. With them, he has recorded 10 albums between 1988 (No Exit) and 2020 (Long Day Good Night). Further rounding out his discography are seven albums with Redemption, two solo albums, and the band A-Z with Mark Zonder, which debuted in 2022.

Prolific and pioneering guitarist/producer Matheos is a co-founder of Fates Warning, the lineup debuting with 1984’s Night on Bröcken on Metal Blade. In addition to 13 albums with Fates, Matheos’ myriad other work includes several solo albums, four albums alongside former Dream Theater keyboardist Kevin Moore, under the name OSI, and new band, Kings of Mercia, a lineup that’s been termed “a hybrid; it’s heavy, but not metal.”

“Throughout Really Good Terrible Things, Matheos and Alder serve up the kind of seductive melancholy Fates Warning fans will recognize,” says Jeff Wagner, author of the Fates Warning book Destination Onward. “Yet there’s a thoroughly different approach here: vocals are delivered with a sort of nostalgic sadness, and the guitar work is layered in such a way as to feel dreamlike. These are rich sonic landscapes, visiting places haunting, beautiful, spectral and secret. The Matheos/Alder partnership is taken to some new and wonderful places here,” Wagner concludes.

Really Good Terrible Things shows the breadth and versatility of the acclaimed pair, along with a freshness that belies their long musical partnership. “We both still love making music and we really enjoy working together. There’s a good amount of chemistry there, I think,” Matheos shares. “We both know what to expect from each other.“

North Sea Echoes – lineup
Jim Matheos – guitar
Ray Alder – vocals

North Sea Echoes online
https://northseaechoes.com
https://www.metalblade.com/northseaechoes

North Sea Echoes, the new band featuring Fates Warning members Ray Alder and Jim Matheos, have released their debut full-length, ‘Really Good Terrible Things‘, today, February 23rd, on Metal Blade. To commemorate the occasion, the duo has unveiled a music video for their new single, “Empty“, which can be seen below. When asked what fans can expect from the new track, Alder keeps it short and not-so-sweet, “I think this one is pretty dark.”

What press is saying about ‘Really Good Terrible Things‘:

“Really Good Terrible Things is a force of nature in its own right, and is worthy of repeated listens from metalheads and non-metalheads alike.” – Sonic Perspectives

“an album that rewards multiple listens and opens up new sonic moods and territories.” – Cryptic Rock

“Really Good Terrible Things is neither good nor terrible. These songs are really great things.” – Progressive Music Planet

ORDER HERE

‘Really Good Terrible Things‘ (Tracklist)
01. Open Book
02. Flowers in Decay
03. Unmoved
04. Throwing Stones
05. Empty
06. The Mission
07. Where I’m From
08. We Move Around the Sun
09. Touch the Sky
10. No Maps

Ray Alder and Jim Matheos’ musical legacy is vast and lauded, both as collaborators and individuals. Alder has been the vocalist and main co-writer for prog metal heroes Fates Warning for the past 35 years. With them, he has recorded 10 albums between 1988 (No Exit) and 2020 (Long Day Good Night). Further rounding out his discography are seven albums with Redemption, two solo albums, and the band A-Z with Mark Zonder, which debuted in 2022.

Prolific and pioneering guitarist/producer Matheos is a co-founder of Fates Warning, the lineup debuting with 1984’s Night on Bröcken on Metal Blade. In addition to 13 albums with Fates, Matheos’ myriad other work includes several solo albums, four albums alongside former Dream Theater keyboardist Kevin Moore, under the name OSI, and new band, Kings of Mercia, a lineup that’s been termed “a hybrid; it’s heavy, but not metal.”

“Throughout Really Good Terrible Things, Matheos and Alder serve up the kind of seductive melancholy Fates Warning fans will recognize,” says Jeff Wagner, author of the Fates Warning book Destination Onward. “Yet there’s a thoroughly different approach here: vocals are delivered with a sort of nostalgic sadness, and the guitar work is layered in such a way as to feel dreamlike. These are rich sonic landscapes, visiting places haunting, beautiful, spectral and secret. The Matheos/Alder partnership is taken to some new and wonderful places here,” Wagner concludes.

Really Good Terrible Things shows the breadth and versatility of the acclaimed pair, along with a freshness that belies their long musical partnership. “We both still love making music and we really enjoy working together. There’s a good amount of chemistry there, I think,” Matheos shares. “We both know what to expect from each other.“

North Sea Echoes – lineup
Jim Matheos – guitar
Ray Alder – vocals

North Sea Echoes online
https://northseaechoes.com
https://www.metalblade.com/northseaechoes

North Sea Echoes, the new band featuring Fates Warning members Ray Alder and Jim Matheos, have dropped a new single from their upcoming studio debut. Fresh off the release of “Open Book“, the band is happy to share the song “Unmoved“, along with a stirring music video featuring both Alder and Matheos. It’s the second single off the duo’s debut full-length, ‘Really Good Terrible Things’, which will see a February 23rd release via Metal Blade.

Speaking on the lyrical concepts behind “Unmoved“, Ray Alder shares, “Some people dealing with depression often exhibit a remarkable ability to conceal their inner struggles by presenting a facade of happiness to the world.”

PRE-ORDER HERE

‘Really Good Terrible Things‘ (Tracklist)
01. Open Book
02. Flowers in Decay
03. Unmoved
04. Throwing Stones
05. Empty
06. The Mission
07. Where I’m From
08. We Move Around the Sun
09. Touch the Sky
10. No Maps

Ray Alder and Jim Matheos’ musical legacy is vast and lauded, both as collaborators and individuals. Alder has been the vocalist and main co-writer for prog metal heroes Fates Warning for the past 35 years. With them, he has recorded 10 albums between 1988 (No Exit) and 2020 (Long Day Good Night). Further rounding out his discography are seven albums with Redemption, two solo albums, and the band A-Z with Mark Zonder, which debuted in 2022.

Prolific and pioneering guitarist/producer Matheos is a co-founder of Fates Warning, the lineup debuting with 1984’s Night on Bröcken on Metal Blade. In addition to 13 albums with Fates, Matheos’ myriad other work includes several solo albums, four albums alongside former Dream Theater keyboardist Kevin Moore, under the name OSI, and new band, Kings of Mercia, a lineup that’s been termed “a hybrid; it’s heavy, but not metal.”

“Throughout Really Good Terrible Things, Matheos and Alder serve up the kind of seductive melancholy Fates Warning fans will recognize,” says Jeff Wagner, author of the Fates Warning book Destination Onward. “Yet there’s a thoroughly different approach here: vocals are delivered with a sort of nostalgic sadness, and the guitar work is layered in such a way as to feel dreamlike. These are rich sonic landscapes, visiting places haunting, beautiful, spectral and secret. The Matheos/Alder partnership is taken to some new and wonderful places here,” Wagner concludes.

Really Good Terrible Things shows the breadth and versatility of the acclaimed pair, along with a freshness that belies their long musical partnership. “We both still love making music and we really enjoy working together. There’s a good amount of chemistry there, I think,” Matheos shares. “We both know what to expect from each other.“

North Sea Echoes – lineup
Jim Matheos – guitar
Ray Alder – vocals

North Sea Echoes online
https://northseaechoes.com
https://www.metalblade.com/northseaechoes

Two members of the pioneering progressive metal act Fates Warning, Ray Alder and Jim Matheos continue to brave new waters with NORTH SEA ECHOES. Today, the duo is proud to announce the release of their debut album, ‘Really Good Terrible Things‘, due out February 23, 2024 via Metal Blade. The band is pleased to share the first taste of the upcoming record with their new single, “Open Book“, which is out today!

The first single off the record, “Open Book” kicks things off, and was also the first song written on ‘Really Good Terrible Things‘. Matheos shares, “with Ray’s lyrics about ending and beginnings, it felt like a good mood to start off with.” Alder adds, “The line ‘we’re a cloud behind the moon’ is referring to the fact that we are all basically an impossibility. Yet here we are. And we will go on until we can’t. I’m speaking of inevitability.“

PRE-ORDER HERE

‘Really Good Terrible Things‘ (Tracklist)
01. Open Book
02. Flowers in Decay
03. Unmoved
04. Throwing Stones
05. Empty
06. The Mission
07. Where I’m From
08. We Move Around the Sun
09. Touch the Sky
10. No Maps

Ray Alder and Jim Matheos’ musical legacy is vast and lauded, both as collaborators and individuals. Alder has been the vocalist and main co-writer for prog metal heroes Fates Warning for the past 35 years. With them, he has recorded 10 albums between 1988 (No Exit) and 2020 (Long Day Good Night). Further rounding out his discography are seven albums with Redemption, two solo albums, and the band A-Z with Mark Zonder, which debuted in 2022.

Prolific and pioneering guitarist/producer Matheos is a co-founder of Fates Warning, the lineup debuting with 1984’s Night on Bröcken on Metal Blade. In addition to 13 albums with Fates, Matheos’ myriad other work includes several solo albums, four albums alongside former Dream Theater keyboardist Kevin Moore, under the name OSI, and new band, Kings of Mercia, a lineup that’s been termed “a hybrid; it’s heavy, but not metal.”

“Throughout Really Good Terrible Things, Matheos and Alder serve up the kind of seductive melancholy Fates Warning fans will recognize,” says Jeff Wagner, author of the Fates Warning book Destination Onward. “Yet there’s a thoroughly different approach here: vocals are delivered with a sort of nostalgic sadness, and the guitar work is layered in such a way as to feel dreamlike. These are rich sonic landscapes, visiting places haunting, beautiful, spectral and secret. The Matheos/Alder partnership is taken to some new and wonderful places here,” Wagner concludes.

Really Good Terrible Things shows the breadth and versatility of the acclaimed pair, along with a freshness that belies their long musical partnership. “We both still love making music and we really enjoy working together. There’s a good amount of chemistry there, I think,” Matheos shares. “We both know what to expect from each other.“

North Sea Echoes – lineup
Jim Matheos – guitar
Ray Alder – vocals

North Sea Echoes online
https://northseaechoes.com
https://www.metalblade.com/northseaechoes