Progressive metal remains perfect for Berklee music school nerds and hardly anyone else. The big difference between pioneer Fates Warning and acts they inspired over 30 years becomes pretty obvious when Theories of Flight launches: hooks. The 12th album by the Hartford, Conn., quintet fields as many sing-along choruses as it does non-4/4 tempos and six-fingered chords. Even a 10-minute epic such as “The Light and Shade of Things” maintains accessibility. Guitarist/mastermind Jim Matheos keeps “White Flag” and “Seven Stars” wallowing in both melody and power, and front dude Ray Alder sings with taste and soul. Prog metal for the people.

***.5

This article appears in August 19 • 2016.

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Michael Toland started writing about music in 1988 on the Gulf Coast, moved to Austin in early 1991, and has inflicted bylines upon the corporeal and digital pages of Pop Culture Press, The Big Takeover, Blurt, Amplifier, Austin.citysearch, the Austin American Statesman, Goldmine, Sleazegrinder, Rock & Roll Globe, High Bias, FHT Music Notes, and, since 2011, The Austin Chronicle.