When last we heard from Jim Matheos and Ray Alder, they had given the world the final Fates Warning album, “Long Day Good Night.” It seemed like the two wouldn’t be working on new music again. Little did we know they would! North Sea Echoes is a new collaboration between these two and while it does have the Fates Warning DNA running through it (especially Disconnected), it brings an OSI vibe as well. “Really Good Terrible Things” is a dark and moody album, not heavy in a metallic sense but in an emotional sense, it is heavy.

What’s in a name really? The bottom line is this proves the chemistry between Matheos and Alder is undeniable. They ALWAYS fit together. From the moment you hear the very moody opener “Open Book,” you feel like you understand where you are, but the surroundings feel different. Alder still has THAT voice, so unique to him. And he finds a melody that lays perfectly atop Matheos’ mix of ambience and texture. As I type about the song, the lyrics and melody are instantly in my head. That’s how talented these two are. The throbbing synths of “Flowers in Decay” let you know this is not a traditional Fates album. The electronica mixed with Ray’s voice and Jim’s clean guitar make for a mellow and even fragile vibe.

“Unmoved” is one of my favorite songs on “Really Good Terrible Things.” It is more of a traditional acoustic driven ballad. This track is fucking beautiful. The flow on this album is perfect really. “Throwing Stones” is yet another great song. Though the lyrics do remind me that Ray should give up smoking. The melody line is just perfection though. “Really Good Terrible Things” is all about the songs. The arrangements are there to enhance the songs. I think many of these songs like this one could be stripped down even more OR given a metallic arrangement and still sound amazing. “Empty” is heavier and even moodier than everything to this point. It might be the closest to the merger of Fates and OSI.

North Sea Echoes isn’t either of those bands however. Songs like “Where I’m From” or “We Move Around the Sun” carry the album forward but never losing the listener, in part because the songs are strong and the arrangements are consistent. The only thing I might have wanted was something a little more epic and spacious to close the album. That’s not to say that “No Maps” is a bad song. Far from it, the closing of the song ends the album perfectly. Perhaps I am expecting them to go all “Fates” on me. To their credit, Matheos and Alder stick to their guns and don’t take the bait.

We may not get another Fates Warning album but we are lucky to get one from North Sea Echoes. “Really Good Terrible Things” is neither good nor terrible. These songs are really great things. If you are a fan of Fates or any of the projects that Matheos or Alder have been in, this album is essential. North Sea Echoes proves that the creative drive of these two artists isn’t done even if Fates Warning is.

Rating: 9.5/10
Label: Metal Blade Records
Release Date: 23 February 2024