Biography
Ray Alder stands out as a dynamic and adaptable frontman in heavy metal circles, primarily recognized for fronting the progressive metal outfits Fates Warning, Engine, and Redemption. As one of the more experienced and distinctive voices within the style, he put out his first solo album, What the Water Wants, during 2019.
Hailing from San Antonio, Texas, Alder became part of Fates Warning back in 1988, marking his initial appearance on the group's pivotal fourth studio album, No Exit. Fates Warning played a key role in shaping the progressive metal scene throughout the 1980s and into the early 1990s, frequently acknowledged among the "Big Three" — together with Queensrÿche and Dream Theater — that paved the way for the peak era of American progressive and power metal. From that point forward, he has taken the lead vocal duties on every subsequent Fates Warning record, with notable entries including Perfect Symmetry (1989), A Pleasant Shade of Gray (1997), and Theories of Flight (2016).
Alder teamed with former Agent Steel guitarist Bernie Versailles, Armored Saint bassist Joey Vera, and Face to Face drummer Pete Parada to form the progressive metal band Engine in 1999, resulting in a self-titled first release. The follow-up album from Engine, Superholic, came out in 2001. In 2003, he contributed his singing abilities to one track on the self-titled debut album from the Los Angeles prog-metal outfit Redemption, which he also produced. The next year marked his full integration into the band, where he remained as vocalist through 2016 and featured on five studio releases. Alder launched his initial solo project, What the Water Wants, in 2019, backed by a lineup that included Fates Warning touring guitarist Mike Abdow, Tony Hernando from Lords of Black, along with drummer Craig Anderson of Ignite and Crescent Shield.
Hailing from San Antonio, Texas, Alder became part of Fates Warning back in 1988, marking his initial appearance on the group's pivotal fourth studio album, No Exit. Fates Warning played a key role in shaping the progressive metal scene throughout the 1980s and into the early 1990s, frequently acknowledged among the "Big Three" — together with Queensrÿche and Dream Theater — that paved the way for the peak era of American progressive and power metal. From that point forward, he has taken the lead vocal duties on every subsequent Fates Warning record, with notable entries including Perfect Symmetry (1989), A Pleasant Shade of Gray (1997), and Theories of Flight (2016).
Alder teamed with former Agent Steel guitarist Bernie Versailles, Armored Saint bassist Joey Vera, and Face to Face drummer Pete Parada to form the progressive metal band Engine in 1999, resulting in a self-titled first release. The follow-up album from Engine, Superholic, came out in 2001. In 2003, he contributed his singing abilities to one track on the self-titled debut album from the Los Angeles prog-metal outfit Redemption, which he also produced. The next year marked his full integration into the band, where he remained as vocalist through 2016 and featured on five studio releases. Alder launched his initial solo project, What the Water Wants, in 2019, backed by a lineup that included Fates Warning touring guitarist Mike Abdow, Tony Hernando from Lords of Black, along with drummer Craig Anderson of Ignite and Crescent Shield.
Albums
Singles
