Fates Warning began in the early 1980's playing a traditional style of heavy metal. However, they quickly began to adopt a more technically proficient style and are considered by many to be the first true prog-metal band. While the band has subsequently moved in more melodic and ambient directions, they have remained a vibrant and well-respected cornerstone for the prog camp within the heavy metal strata. 1994's Inside Out is a further commercialization of the band's sound on par with its predecessor Parallels. Ray Alder is much more polished as a vocalist by this point while Jim Matheos' challenging arrangements and Mark Zonder's one-of-a-kind drum work are both top notch.