Biography

A powerful and versatile heavy metal vocalist, Ray Alder is best known as the lead singer for the progressive metal groups Fates Warning, Engine, and Redemption. One of the more seasoned and recognizable voices of the genre, Alder released his debut solo LP, What the Water Wants, in 2019. The San Antonio, Texas native joined Fates Warning in 1988 and made his debut on the band's influential fourth studio long-player, No Exit. A pioneering force in the progressive metal movement of the '80s and early '90s, Fates Warning are often cited as one of the "Big Three" (alongside Queensrÿche and Dream Theater) who helped usher in the golden age of American progressive and power metal. Since then, he has helmed each consecutive Fates Warning album with highlights arriving via Perfect Symmetry (1989), A Pleasant Shade of Gray (1997), and Theories of Flight (2016). In 1999 Alder joined up with ex-Agent Steel guitarist Bernie Versailles, Armored Saint bassist Joey Vera, and Face to Face drummer Pete Parada in the progressive metal group Engine and released an eponymous debut. Engine's sophomore full-length effort, Superholic, arrived in 2001. Two years later he lent his vocal prowess to a cut on Los Angeles-based prog-metal band Redemption's eponymous inaugural release, which he also produced. He joined the group full-time the following year and stayed behind the mike until 2016, appearing on five studio albums. In 2019 Alder issued his debut solo effort, What the Water Wants, which featured a band consisting of Fates Warning touring guitarist Mike Abdow, Tony Hernando (Lords of Black), and drummer Craig Anderson (Ignite, Crescent Shield). ~ James Christopher Monger, Rovi