Fates Warning frontman Ray Alder is our guest for this week's edition of The MetalSucks Podcast! He's here to discuss his latest solo album II, coming out June 9. As such, we discussed when he had time to focus on following up What The Water Wants, why it’s more difficult for him to write music for his solo project as opposed to Fates Warning, and why he decided on calling the record II. We also get to chatting about the long break from touring he's currently experiencing, how he adapts to change in modern times compared to his youth, if there are any plans for Fates Warning’s 40th anniversary next year, and an update on all his other current projects including Fates Warning and A-Z.

This week is a music episode and we present our mid-year best of list, and play a track off of every album we feel you need to listen to before moving into the summer!

Song: Insomnium “White Christ” Featuring Sakis Tolis

Song: Enslaved “Congelia”

Song: Venemous Concept “Fractured”

Song: Sermon “Golden”

Song: Ray Alder “This Hollow Shell”

Song: Ray Alder “My Oblivion”

Song: Hellripper “I, The Deceiver”

Song: Entheos “I Am The Void”

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices