A Pleasant Shade of Gray
Encyclopedia
A Pleasant Shade of Gray is a concept album
by the progressive metal
group Fates Warning
, released in 1997 (see 1997 in music
). It contains one song divided into twelve chapters. After the last track, there is a brief period of silence followed by 20 seconds of an alarm clock ringing.
A Pleasant Shade of Gray features elements of metal
and New Age
. The lyrics revolve around self-reflection and regret. The album's music and lyrics were entirely composed by guitarist Jim Matheos
. The album marked their first collaboration with Armored Saint
bassist Joey Vera
(who plays fretless bass on parts 4 & 9) and features contributions from ex-Dream Theater
keyboardist Kevin Moore
.
The album's credits featured a special thank-you to longtime bassist Joe DiBiase, who departed the band in 1995; this was the first Fates Warning album to not feature him.
In 2007 the album was re-released by Metal Blade Europe with a bonus DVD of the Pleasant Shade of Gray Live video, previously only on VHS.
The album was fairly controversial, getting many poor reviews as well as many great reviews. The sound is less accessible than Fates Warning's other works and many say that this album required several listens to "sink in".
Concept album
In music, a concept album is an album that is "unified by a theme, which can be instrumental, compositional, narrative, or lyrical." Commonly, concept albums tend to incorporate preconceived musical or lyrical ideas rather than being improvised or composed in the studio, with all songs contributing...
by the progressive metal
Progressive metal
Progressive metal is a subgenre of heavy metal originating in the United Kingdom and North America in the late 1980s...
group Fates Warning
Fates Warning
Fates Warning is an American progressive metal band, formed in 1982 by vocalist John Arch, guitarists Jim Matheos and Victor Arduini, bassist Joe DiBiase, and drummer Steve Zimmerman in Hartford, Connecticut. Fates Warning has experienced numerous line-up changes...
, released in 1997 (see 1997 in music
1997 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1997.-January:*January 9 – David Bowie performs his 50th Birthday Bash concert at Madison Square Garden, New York City, USA with guests Frank Black, The Foo Fighters, Sonic Youth, Robert Smith of The Cure, Lou Reed, and Billy...
). It contains one song divided into twelve chapters. After the last track, there is a brief period of silence followed by 20 seconds of an alarm clock ringing.
A Pleasant Shade of Gray features elements of metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
and New Age
New Age music
New Age music is music of various styles intended to create artistic inspiration, relaxation, and optimism. It is used by listeners for yoga, massage, meditation, and reading as a method of stress management or to create a peaceful atmosphere in their home or other environments, and is often...
. The lyrics revolve around self-reflection and regret. The album's music and lyrics were entirely composed by guitarist Jim Matheos
Jim Matheos
Jim Matheos , is the American guitarist and primary songwriter for the progressive metal band Fates Warning. As of bassist Joe DiBiase's departure in 1996, he is the band's only permanent member...
. The album marked their first collaboration with Armored Saint
Armored Saint
-Early career:Armored Saint was formed in 1982 by brothers Phil Sandoval and Gonzo Sandoval , and guitarist David Prichard, while attending South Pasadena High School. Next to join were singer John Bush also a South Pasadena High School Alumni and bassist Joey Vera...
bassist Joey Vera
Joey Vera
Joey Vera is an American heavy metal bassist for heavy metal band Armored Saint. He is also a member of the progressive metal band Fates Warning. In 2004-05 he replaced Frank Bello in Anthrax as the band's bassist. He appears as part of the project Engine, as well as on the OSI album Free. His...
(who plays fretless bass on parts 4 & 9) and features contributions from ex-Dream Theater
Dream Theater
Dream Theater is an American progressive metal band formed in 1985 under the name Majesty by John Petrucci, John Myung, and Mike Portnoy while they attended Berklee College of Music in Massachusetts. They subsequently dropped out of their studies to further concentrate on the band that would...
keyboardist Kevin Moore
Kevin Moore
For the blues singer, see Keb' Mo'.Kevin Moore is a keyboardist, vocalist and composer and founder of the Chroma Key music project. He is also a former member of the American progressive metal band Dream Theater, co-founder of the progressive rock supergroup O.S.I. and has composed film soundtracks...
.
The album's credits featured a special thank-you to longtime bassist Joe DiBiase, who departed the band in 1995; this was the first Fates Warning album to not feature him.
In 2007 the album was re-released by Metal Blade Europe with a bonus DVD of the Pleasant Shade of Gray Live video, previously only on VHS.
The album was fairly controversial, getting many poor reviews as well as many great reviews. The sound is less accessible than Fates Warning's other works and many say that this album required several listens to "sink in".
Track listing
- "Part I" (Today) – 1:53
- "Part II" (A Thousand Regrets) – 3:25
- "Part III" (Shade of Gray) – 3:53
- "Part IV" (Listen) – 4:26
- "Part V" (Bleed pt 1) – 5:24
- "Part VI" (Circumstance/Today [reprise]) – 7:28
- "Part VII" (Bleed pt 2) – 4:51
- "Part VIII" (Bleed pt 3/Winter Solstice) – 3:31
- "Part IX" (Where You Are, I Am) – 4:45
- "Part X" (Haze on the Hills) – 1:19
- "Part XI" – 3:34
- "Part XII" (I Remember) – 9:08
Credits
- Ray AlderRay AlderRay Alder has been the lead vocalist of the progressive metal band Fates Warning since their 1988 release No Exit. He has released two albums Engine in 1999 and Superholic in 2002 with Engine....
– Vocals - Jim MatheosJim MatheosJim Matheos , is the American guitarist and primary songwriter for the progressive metal band Fates Warning. As of bassist Joe DiBiase's departure in 1996, he is the band's only permanent member...
– Guitar, guitar synth, music and lyrics - Mark ZonderMark ZonderMark Zonder is the drummer of American heavy-metal band Warlord. When the band was in a hiatus, he joined Fates Warning. His artistic name in Warlord is "Thunder Child"...
– Drums - Joey VeraJoey VeraJoey Vera is an American heavy metal bassist for heavy metal band Armored Saint. He is also a member of the progressive metal band Fates Warning. In 2004-05 he replaced Frank Bello in Anthrax as the band's bassist. He appears as part of the project Engine, as well as on the OSI album Free. His...
– Bass - Kevin MooreKevin MooreFor the blues singer, see Keb' Mo'.Kevin Moore is a keyboardist, vocalist and composer and founder of the Chroma Key music project. He is also a former member of the American progressive metal band Dream Theater, co-founder of the progressive rock supergroup O.S.I. and has composed film soundtracks...
– Keyboards - Produced, recorded and mixed by Terry BrownTerry Brown (record producer)Terry Brown is a record producer involved in a variety of work, but most noted for his involvement with the Canadian rock band Rush and the British/Canadian band Cutting Crew. Brown is currently working with emerging Ottawa roots-rockers Ken Workman & The Union. He is referred to fondly by the band...
at the Carriage House, Stamford, CT, November–December 1996 - Assistant engineers — Andy Katz, Joe Peccerillo
- Mastered by Eddy Schreyer at Oasis
- Pre-production at Bill's place
- Additional voices — Bill "shoot me" Metoyer, Lydia Montagnese, Mark Zonder, Terry Brown, Lindsay Matheos
- Catering — George Hideous, Fidel Horrendous and Arthur Letsgoberg at Salad Face International
- Art direction & design by Ioannis and Steve Jacaruso at Vivid Images Int.
- Photography by Ioannis and Heide Coyle