Arch/Matheos concert review
Show date- May 5, 2012
The show was bound to be special, but no one could predict how strong an impact it would have on everyone in the room. Arch/Matheos played just two shows in support of their 2011 album “Sympathetic Resonance”. They had the pleasure of headlining Keep It True, a major festival in Germany, and a week later, a stop in Hartford Connecticut at the Webster Theater. Why pick a little state like Connecticut for their only North American show? Well, local followers of John Arch and Jim Matheos know that Fates Warning got their start here, and this allowed them to make it a family reunion of sorts.
The combination of old Fates Warning songs and new Arch/Matheos material was perfect. Watching John Arch sing and move around the stage, you would never guess that he hasn’t performed in 25 years. He nailed every note of every song, and actually sounded better than expected. Arch’s energy and excitement was felt by the crowd, as they sang along to every word. Jim Matheos was impeccable on guitar as always. His style of playing is a pleasure to watch; his guitar work evokes emotion. These two old friends brought the best out in each other and had a great time doing it.
Joey Vera (bass) and Frank Aresti (guitar and backing vocals) shared stage left and as usual played their hearts out. Vera’s adrenalized manner kept everyone’s head banging. Frank sang and played guitar with passion. And drummer Bobby Jarzombek, nearly invisible behind his massive drum kit, played with such abandon. At the end of the show he leaped off the drum riser and you could see he was playing barefoot.
People traveled from all over the country to be at this show, including Colorado, Michigan, Ohio, North Carolina, and more. Rumor has it that someone crossed the Atlantic to be there. Friends and family of the band were there. Former members of FW showcased their current bands before Arch/Matheos took the stage. Even Brian Slagel, CEO of Metal Blade Records, was seen jamming out by the sound board. Not a person in the house will forget this magical evening. This was more than a concert, it was an experience to remember always.
“The answer to my prayers is not the dream, but to believe.” (Midnight Serenade, Arch/Matheos)
SET LIST
Neurotically Wired
Midnight Serenade
Sorceress
Stained Glass Sky
Damnation
Apparition
Any Given Day/Strangers Like Me
Guardian
Epitaph
Exodus
Like Rocknotes on Facebook – 
Review by Steph Perry
Rocknotes Webzine 
May 23rd, 2012 at 9:34 pm
I flew from Rio!
The concert was amazing!
Worth every penny!
May 24th, 2012 at 2:04 am
I was there from Long Island!! It was worth the 5 hour drive and I would do it again…i have never missed a show I could get to…Been a fan since the beginning a hopefully there is no end…Fates Warning goes beyond music it is a Spiritual experience for me…
May 24th, 2012 at 9:14 pm
Goin to shows like its my job since i was 13…im now 42 and old just like John is…lol…never made a “thx 4 this show” sign before…hell i would of been the guy making fun of the dork with the sign….for this though…yeeeeeaaaaah…..had to be done….cause not just me but everyone in that room right up to Brian Slagel felt the exact same way I did and knew “thx 4 this show” was code for….”John Arch please do more shows….record more albums….we missed u terribly….say yes to our demands or we lock u in jims basement ….omfg this show is such a gift were honored and priveliged to witness…please record more music….sympathetic resonance is a masterpiece…thx from the bottom of our hearts and souls for giving us the best vocal perf we will ever see”