Review by Brian Heaton
Biographies, particularly those on rock bands, are rarely compelling. Fans usually know the history of their favorite groups, and if they don’t, a quick search online typically yields everything someone needs to know, right down to the most obscure detail.
But Destination Onward: The Story of Fates Warning, is an exception. Author Jeff Wagner weaves a captivating tale, revealing new insights on the band’s storied career. Readers are treated to candid remarks about the mental and emotional obstacles that left a profound mark on Fates Warning’s music, making the book a page-turner for even the most diehard fan.
For example, original vocalist John Arch reveals that his extreme performance anxiety, which led to his exit from Fates Warning in 1987, was likely a symptom of bipolar II disorder, which was diagnosed well after he departed the group. Guitarist Jim Matheos discusses his unstable childhood and how that permeates some of Fates Warning’s lyrical content. The frankness of Arch’s replacement, Ray Alder (1987-present), when talking about his evolution as a singer is enlightening. As is the brutal honesty from guitarist Frank Aresti and Mark Zonder about the friction they felt during their respective tenures in the band.
Wagner’s penchant for detail shines throughout the tome. Devotees of the band’s first iteration with Arch will love the oral history of the singer’s much talked about audition with Dream Theater in 1990. Arch, along with Dream Theater guitarist John Petrucci and former Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy, detail the circumstances around Arch’s visits to Long Island, N.Y., and how they rehearsed and made demos of early Dream Theater songs.
To Wagner’s credit, none of that detail distracts from the narrative. He expertly conducts an examination of Fates Warning’s various members, discography, tours, and career highs and lows, providing an enjoyable ebb and flow in each chapter.
While the book is packed with tons of information on Fates Warning, it’s equally as in-depth with images. Each chapter features numerous black and white candid photos of the band, album promotional materials, gig posters and promotional pictures. In addition, there is a 16-page center section of full-color photos of the band during the various stages of its career.
🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘- Simply put, Destination Onward: The Story of Fates Warning is one of the most comprehensive rock biographies in publication today. The book was clearly a labor of love for Wagner. His passion for Fates Warning shines on every page, resulting in a work that is thoroughly engaging from beginning to end.
Destination Onward: The Story of Fates Warning can be ordered at fateswarningbook.com.
Brian Heaton is a co-author of Building An Empire: The Story of Queensryche, the band’s first biography. Check out his work at AnybodyListening.net, and connect with him on Twitter – @brianjheaton
