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Theories of Flight

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Theories of Flight
Studio album by
ReleasedJuly 1, 2016 (2016-07-01)
Recorded2015–2016
GenreProgressive metal
Length52:17
LabelInside Out Music
ProducerJim Matheos
Fates Warning chronology
Darkness in a Different Light
(2013)
Theories of Flight
(2016)
Long Day Good Night
(2020)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Sputnikmusic[1]

Theories of Flight is the twelfth studio album by progressive metal band Fates Warning, released on July 1, 2016 through Inside Out Music; their last release on the label with their re-signing with their longtime label Metal Blade Records in 2019.[2] Theories of Flight marked the first time since 2004's FWX that Fates Warning had recorded as a four-piece. Although guitarist Frank Aresti was still a member of Fates Warning at the time of the album's writing and recording sessions, he does not appear in band photos inside the album booklet and is credited only as a guest, for providing guitar solos on two tracks ("From the Rooftops" and "White Flag"); therefore, this is the last Fates Warning album to feature Aresti.

Critical reception

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In his review of the album, Trey Spencer of Sputnik Music stated "Theories of Flight feels like a classic", arguing "when a band somehow manages to take the most solid and memorable moments of their breakthrough release and seamlessly mesh them with a sound they’ve been circling around for years, and do so flawlessly, then it is at least worth proclaiming that they’ve released a milestone within their own career. But is it worth stopping the discussion there; I don’t know? While it’s too early to start calling Theories of Flight another pinnacle of the progressive metal genre, in 10-years’ time that may very well be what this album has become."[1]

Track listing

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No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."From the Rooftops"Jim Matheos, Ray Alder, Bobby Jarzombek6:52
2."Seven Stars"Matheos, Alder5:33
3."SOS"Matheos, Alder4:34
4."The Light and Shade of Things"Matheos, Alder10:14
5."White Flag"Matheos, Alder5:20
6."Like Stars Our Eyes Have Seen"Matheos, Alder5:13
7."The Ghosts of Home"Matheos10:31
8."Theories of Flight" (Instrumental)Matheos4:00
Total length:52:17
Acoustic bonus disc
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Firefly"Matheos, Alder3:15
2."Seven Stars"Matheos, Alder4:25
3."Another Perfect Day"Matheos3:25
4."Pray Your Gods" (Toad the Wet Sprocket cover)Glen Phillips, Todd Nichols, Dean Dinning, Randy Guss3:45
5."Adela" (Joaquín Rodrigo cover)Joaquín Rodrigo2:25
6."Rain" (Uriah Heep cover)Ken Hensley4:03

Personnel

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Fates Warning

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Guests

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  • Frank Arestiguitar solos on "From the Rooftops" and "White Flag"
  • Mike Abdow – guitar solo on "White Flag"
  • Carina Tinker – spoken word samples on "Theories of Flight"

Charts

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Chart (2016) Peak
position
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[3] 32
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[4] 175
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[5] 192
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[6] 70
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[7] 12
Italian Albums (FIMI)[8] 80
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[9] 16
US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)[10] 2

References

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  1. ^ a b Trey Spencer (June 26, 2016). "Review: Fates Warning - Theories of Flight". Retrieved June 26, 2016.
  2. ^ "Fates Warning To Release 'Theories Of Flight' Album In July". Blabbermouth.net. April 23, 2016. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
  3. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Fates Warning – Theories of Flight" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved July 13, 2016.
  4. ^ "Ultratop.be – Fates Warning – Theories of Flight" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
  5. ^ "Ultratop.be – Fates Warning – Theories of Flight" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved July 22, 2016.
  6. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Fates Warning – Theories of Flight" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
  7. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Fates Warning – Theories of Flight" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
  8. ^ "Album – Classifica settimanale WK 27 (dal 2016-07-01 al 2016-07-07)" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved July 9, 2016.
  9. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Fates Warning – Theories of Flight". Hung Medien. Retrieved July 13, 2016.
  10. ^ "Fates Warning Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved July 12, 2016.