![]() ![]() How much does that type of feedback play into your decision to continue writing and releasing music? MC: I know you've gotten a number of comments from fans over the years about how your lyrics have impacted them in such a positive and profound way, whether that was off of Awaken the Guardian or songs like "Incense and Myrrh" from Sympathetic Resonance. Having said that the early indicators are that the fans are really digging it and that makes me very happy and relieved. Of course the way I approach things with my Type A personality before I even start something like writing another album there is always that looming question in the back of your mind, "Are we going to be able to pull something off? Are Jim and I going to be able to have the creative chemistry between us?" We never take anything for granted. And my feelings about that is I'm very excited. But having said that the majority, 99 percent of what I have seen so far, with "Wanderlust" being released as audio only and "Straight and Narrow" being the first video it has been really, really good across the board. Everything I have seen so far - there is always going to be folks who aren't even into this type of music and their name will be something like "deathdoom" on their post, and so there are going to be some disparaging comments and there are going to be some mediocre comments that have absolutely nothing to do with music. Coming right out of the gate with a video I thought was a great idea - and on a side note I think it is great the Metal Blade family is standing behind us with the Arch/Matheos project and really going the extra mile and making a financial commitment, with their time and everything. ![]() But as your curiosity peaks you're always curious as to what the reaction is going to be from the fans. JA: I said to myself that I would try to stay away from social media to see the reaction and just let it be. What's your perspective on the public's reception thus far and how does that land on you? The feedback I've seen so far has been extremely positive. MC: You all have released three singles so far from the record, "Straight and Narrow", "Wanderlust", and "Tethered". ![]() I know you have a lot of commitments at this juncture and I am grateful you agreed to spend some of it with me talking about the May 10 release of the new Arch/Matheos record Winter Ethereal. Mark Cubbedge: John you are always very generous with your time and I want to thank you for that. "Sometimes in the studio when I am singing something spontaneous happens or when you are actually at your most relaxed state something natural happens that is better than what you had originally." Photographer and writer Mark Cubbedge had a chance to speak with John for Maximum Metal about why he continues to produce music as he nears his 60th birthday, the songwriting process, and his inspiration and back story to writing Winter Ethereal. On his last three releases, his solo ep A Twist of Fate followed by Arch/Matheos' debut Sympathetic Resonance and new release Winter Ethereal, he has used more real-life experiences and emotions to connect with the listener. On the genre-defining Awaken the Guardian release in 1986 this was done through mythological references and metaphors. John Arch, founding member of the pioneering progressive metal band Fates Warning, has a well-earned reputation for his distictive vocal sound and range along with complex and thought-provoking lyrics.
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