JOHN ARCH Rules Out Permanent Return To FATES WARNING

Metal Wani's Chuck Marshall recently conducted an interview with original FATES WARNING singer John Arch. You can now listen to the chat below. A couple of excerpts follow (transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET).

On his current relationship with FATES WARNING guitarist Jim Matheos:

John: "When I left [FATES WARNING], there was a little bit of… I don't know… I don't wanna say 'animosity,' but the way things happened, there was a little bit of falling out and there was a few things that happened a few months after that I read in magazines that were said by some of the members of the band that I was taken aback and blown away; I just couldn't believe that those words were said about me because I gave a hundred percent while I was in the band. But moving forward, life's too short to live that way, so we made amends and I'm good friends with everybody — current members and past members of the band. We've seen each other quite a bit, we've actually done some hiking together — things outside of music — and, of course, working with Jim on [Arch's 2003 EP] 'A Twist Of Fate' and [the 2011 ARCH/MATHEOS album] 'Sympathetic Resonance', it was like an old hat. We got together and it felt just like old friends, and it was good. And I think both parties — myself included — Jim and some of the other members, we both admitted that there was some immaturity and we're different people these days. So I think we kind of grew up and we're friends."

On whether there are plans to record another ARCH/MATHEOS album:

John: "You know what? I'm not gonna say no. And right now I can't say yes, because we're talking and I'm actually writing right now, so let's just say there's a real good possibility of that happening. Yeah, I figured I probably have maybe one left in me. Who knows? I don't take it for granted that just because you start a process and you go into a studio that magic's gonna happen. It's kind of an ethereal, unknown thing to do, so we're gonna… I think I'm gonna give it a shot."

On whether he would rejoin FATES WARNING, if asked:

John: "Well, actually, I was, years and years and years ago, not too long after I disembarked from FATES WARNING, and I declined at that time. But today it's just different. I love my freedom. I love going for mountain bike rides whenever I want, going road riding, hopping on my Harley and going for rides, chopping trees… Being in a band, it's a big responsibility, and if you wanna be good, it's a lot of rehearsals. So, no, I don't think I would. I think I've had the perfect opportunity to be able to own my own home and have a good life and be able to dabble in music and actually create more music and have done what I've done. Although it's been sporadic, it's still been very rewarding for me, and I'm lucky that I've been able to work with some fantastic musicians. So, yeah, I don't think so."

FATES WARNING celebrated the 30th anniversary of its third album, "Awaken The Guardian", in 2016. The album was to become their final release to feature Arch. That era's lineup was rounded out by bassist Joe DiBiase, drummer Steve Zimmerman, along with current guitarist Frank Aresti and, of course, guitarist and main songwriter Jim Matheos. "Awaken The Guardian" also holds the honor as the band's very first release to debut on the Billboard chart.

To celebrate 30 years since the album's release, Matheos reassembled the "Awaken The Guardian"-era lineup for two special festival appearances: Keep It True XIX in Lauda-Konigshofen, Germany and Prog Power USA XVII in Atlanta, Georgia. Fortunately for fans that were not able to attend, each show was filmed and recorded.

Due on April 28 via Metal Blade, "Awaken The Guardian Live" consists of both festival performances in their entirety. This piece of progressive metal history will be available on CD, DVD, Blu-ray, and double gatefold vinyl.