Sympathetic Resonance is a collaborative studio album by singer John Arch and guitarist Jim Matheos (credited as Arch/Matheos), released on September 9, 2011 through Metal Blade Records."Arch / Matheos – Sympathetic Resonance (album)". finnishcharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2014-01-23.
Background Matheos founded the progressive metal band Fates Warning in 1983, while Arch left the band in 1987 and retired from the music business after having served as lead vocalist on their first three albums.Prato, Greg. "Fates Warning | Biography". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved 2014-01-23. Both musicians reunited on Arch's 2003 EP A Twist of Fate,Holmes, Mark (2011-08-05). "Interview with John Arch and Jim Matheos". Metal Discovery. Retrieved 2014-01-23. after which Matheos contacted Arch about re-emerging from retirement, having himself written the first few songs for a new Fates Warning album. Upon Matheos' realization that the next Fates Warning album would be delayed for several years, he opted to record the music with Arch as part of a new album. The three songs initially intended for Fates Warning which ultimately appeared on Sympathetic Resonance were "Neurotically Wired", "Midnight Serenade" and "Stained Glass Sky". Fates Warning's subsequent album, Darkness in a Different Light, was released in 2013.
Critical reception
Trey Spencer at Sputnikmusic gave Sympathetic Resonance a score of 4.5 out of 5, calling it "modern, guitar-driven progressive metal featuring an all-star lineup that manages to avoid falling into a cycle of self-indulgent tangents." He made it a point to stress that the album is neither an "unofficial Fates Warning release" nor "Awaken the Guardian Part II", and that it "sounds nothing like what Fates Warning have been doing lately." Arch's vocals were described as "still as powerful and unique as they've always been" despite his lengthy absence from making full-length music. Spencer also noted that longtime fans of Arch's style would not be disappointed, while also acknowledging a potential adjustment period for new listeners.
Track listing
Personnel John Arch – vocals Jim Matheos – guitar, mixing, production Frank Aresti – additional guitar solos Bobby Jarzombek – drums Joey Vera – bass, engineering Phil Magnotti – engineering, mixing Alan Douches – mastering
Charts Chart (2011) ! PeakpositionUS Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)"Sympathetic Resonance – John Arch / Arch/Matheos / Jim Matheos | Awards". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved 2014-01-23.14US Hard Rock Albums (Billboard)22Austrian albums chart67German albums chart27Swiss albums chart78
References
External links "Arch/Matheos | Sympathetic Resonance" at Hard Rock Haven