A pioneer of the progressive metal movement, Fates Warning has been referred to as one of the "Big Three" of the genre, creating and popularizing the style along with Queensrÿche and Dream Theater. Their early work, influenced by the new wave of British heavy metal, is also important in the development of American power metal. Fates Warning has released thirteen studio albums, two live albums, one compilation album, one VHS cassette, three DVDs (each featuring live concerts) and four demo tapes. The band experienced its first commercial success with the 1986 release of their third studio album, Awaken the Guardian, which peaked at No. 191 on the Billboard 200 and became the first album released on Metal Blade to enter that chart. Their next three albums—No Exit (1988), Perfect Symmetry (1989) and Parallels (1991)—were also successful; the first two peaked at No. 111 and No. 141 on the Billboard 200, respectively. By 2001, Fates Warning had sold over a million albums worldwide. Their thirteenth studio album, Long Day Good Night, was released on November 6, 2020.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fates_Warning
Studio albums
Night on Bröcken (1984)
The Spectre Within (1985)
Awaken the Guardian (1986)
No Exit (1988)
Perfect Symmetry (1989)
Parallels (1991)
Inside Out (1994)
A Pleasant Shade of Gray (1997)
Disconnected (2000)
FWX (2004)
Darkness in a Different Light (2013)
Theories of Flight (2016)
Long Day Good Night (2020)
No Exit
Fates Warning Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On convulsive seas of false urgency
We walk empty corridors in vain
The lyrics of Fates Warning's song "No Exit" depict a sense of aimlessness and frustration in the face of an oppressive and chaotic world. The imagery of brooding skies and watchful eyes suggests a sense of ominous surveillance and looming danger, while the convulsive seas of false urgency seem to represent the frenzied pace of modern life and the pressure to constantly be productive and successful. Against this backdrop, the singer laments the futility of their own efforts, describing themselves as wandering through "empty corridors in vain." This could refer to a sense of feeling lost or directionless in life, or to the experience of navigating confusing and meaningless social structures.
Overall, the lyrics of "No Exit" seem to capture a sense of existential dread and the feeling of being trapped in a world that offers no clear path or purpose. The song suggests that despite our efforts to assert our own agency and find meaning in life, we are ultimately at the mercy of larger social forces that we can neither control nor fully understand.
Line by Line Meaning
Under brooding skys and watchful eyes
In the presence of ominous clouds and vigilant onlookers
On convulsive seas of false urgency
In an unstable environment driven by fake pressure
We walk empty corridors in vain
We move purposelessly through deserted passageways
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: MATHEOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@apocalypticacoma
Silent Cries
Born to an air of apathy
Indifference shapes a fragile mind.
Questions formed at an early age
Beg answers unasked
Silent cries
Behind curious eyes resides a child who cannot speak.
Silent cries
Years find a mind alone whose
Questions flow too deep for words.
Covered in a shroud of silence
Watching the world go by
Silent cries
Behind outcast eyes, hides a child who cannot speak.
Silent cries
Time blindly races on
Toward the autumn years
Seasons unheeded pass
While we all drown in tears.
Questions unanswered remain alone
They mourn a fragile mind
Silent cries
Behind lifeless eyes, lies a child who cannot speak.
Silent cries
Silent cries
@jeffmoore6279
Man if I could sound like any band in the world it would be these guys.
This is my favorite album of all time.
Nobody commands the authority and respect that this record puts foward except VH1.
Even that record was a gift to Van Halen from Ted Templeton.
These guys are raw and need no producer to make them better.
They were in full form when they made this. Far as I am concerned, they blow everyone else away.
If you own the No Exit album, seriously, who can compete with this?
These guys destroy. Best unknown album of all time. No big Hollywood production, Just raw blistering music.
They don't make them like this very often.
Album is a freaking classic. Will never be outdone by anyone.
@carlosrelampago2279
They are part of the main prog metal pioneers of the 80's.
🤘🤘🖤
@yayamii
…they are part of the prog scene of eternity!
@amber-dawn
I just stumbled across this band tonight. I read on Wikipedia that they are part of the 'Big Three' of the progressive metal movement with Queensryche and Dream Theater who I already listen to so...I feel like I've unlocked some secret level in a video game or something, lol.
@mitchellschleede569
Welcome! I hope you were able to listen to their catalog.
@lynnwunsch5049
My god what a voice Ray has. He is so gifted and talented and his voice is still amazing!
@JoeJaeger
True, I remember the first time I heard Ray, wow.
@DoseofMorningSunshine
I still enjoy singing along with Ray on this classic tune. Just wish I had his vocal range. 🤘🖤🔥
@MetalHeart8787
@Peggy Brown Love his Voice & remember when this video came out & liked that he has the same name as Me. RAY
just recorded a video about rare good videos & this song is on the list. But i just didn't get into Fates that much so many of their songs were too slow for me
@DoseofMorningSunshine
@MetalHeart8787 ahhh yeah. This band amongst others takes me back to the Metal Shop days.
@jannekauppi3859
Great band, great song and amazing lyrics. True poetry.