Ray Alder

{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2021}}

{{short description|American musician}}

{{BLP sources|date=October 2007}}

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Ray Alder

| image = Alder 2007.jpg

| alt =

| caption = Alder performing with Fates Warning

| image_size =

| birth_name =

| birth_place = San Antonio, Texas, U.S.{{cite web|url=http://www.theartofprog.com/?p=477 |title=Ray Alder: "This is not the time for us to go quietly into the night…we're gonna make another record and see what happens" |publisher=The Art of Prog |date=August 30, 2009 |accessdate=July 27, 2012}}

| alias =

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1967|08|20}}

| death_date =

| death_place =

| instrument = Vocals, percussion

| genre = Progressive metal, power metal

| occupation = Musician

| years_active = 1980–present

| label =

| current_member_of = Fates Warning

| past_member_of = {{unbulleted list|Engine| Redemption}}

| website =

}}

Ray Alder (born Raymond Balderrama, August 20, 1967) is an American musician. He is the lead vocalist of the progressive metal band Fates Warning since their 1988 release No Exit.{{cite web |url=http://blogcritics.org/music/article/interview-ray-alder-of-fates-warning/ |title=Interview: Ray Alder of Fates Warning (2006) |publisher=George Dionne |date= |accessdate=February 18, 2012 |archive-date=November 27, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111127163329/http://blogcritics.org/music/article/interview-ray-alder-of-fates-warning/ |url-status=dead }} He is of Mexican descent.{{cite tweet|user=realrayalder|author=Ray Alder|number=277484628489674752|date=December 8, 2012|title=@abejaramillot No sarcasm, I am.. I have a cousin with the last name Jaramillo..}}

He has released two albums Engine in 1999 and Superholic in 2002 with Engine.{{cite web |url=http://www.sorcerystudios.com/engine/art.XX_00.99.htm |title=Interview: Ray Alder, Monster Maker: REVIEW AND DISCUSSION ON HIS NEW BAND, ENGINE (1999) |publisher=sorcerystudios.com |accessdate=February 18, 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090607084800/http://www.sorcerystudios.com/engine/art.XX_00.99.htm |archivedate=June 7, 2009 }}

He also sang on Redemption's albums The Origins of Ruin, The Fullness of Time, Snowfall on Judgment Day, This Mortal Coil, and The Art of Loss, having produced their debut self-titled release in 2002.

He has recently worked with underground emcee/producer Necro for his album entitled Death Rap.

Alder was featured at a show with the band Dream Theater in Los Angeles on May 18, 1998.{{cite web |url=http://legacy.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=12287 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120712165646/http://legacy.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=12287 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 12, 2012 |title=Interview: DREAM THEATER Drummer Launches Official 'Bootleg' Store - May 27, 2003 (2003) |publisher=legacy.roadrunnerrecords.com |accessdate=February 18, 2012 }}

On March 16, 2010, Fates Warning released a deluxe edition of their 1991 album, Parallels. This edition has been fully re-mastered and contains over three hours of music and live footage. Parallels was one of Fates Warning's most successful releases due to the commercial success of the singles Eye To Eye, Point of View and We Only Say Goodbye. According to Metal Blade records (2010) Parallels has proven to be one of the most influential albums in the prog and metal genres, despite its hotly debated status among fans as a "commercial" sounding album.{{cite web|url=http://www.metalblade.com/english/artists/fateswarning/bio.php |title=Fates Warning (2010) |publisher=metalblade.com |date= |accessdate=February 18, 2012}} Commenting on the album, Ray Alder is quoted on the {{cite web|url=http://www.metalblade.com/us/artists/fates-warning/ |title=Metal Blade Records Website}} as follows, "I think it's one of the best albums we ever put out and I'm happy that fans have the chance to take a second look at this important record. The lineup, the songs and the cover art all came together to make a great package when originally recorded and the bonus DVD really adds a fresh perspective to the album."