My interest in Queensryche goes a pretty long way back and I can say to the readers that the first time I ever caught them in concert was when they were opening up for KISS on the bands “Animalize” tour. They were supporting their soon to be released masterpiece “Warning” and believe it or not, I couldn’t have cared less that night. This was based on the KISS mania setting in and my not being open to this obviously rising star in the Metal world. I was not alone in this view and that was just how a KISS show worked. You often were bored at any opening band while you waited for the Kings Of The Nighttime World to come out and dominate the stage. Moving ahead a couple of years in time, the chance to see Queensryche again happened when Iron Maiden was on their legendary “Powerslave” tour and for me this was a match made in heaven. I say it like this because the band was winning me over note after note and had the many thousands of fans in Radio City Music Hall pushing their fists into the air as singer Geoff Tate told us to “Take Hold Of The Flame” with a soaring and commanding register. I’ve been a fan ever since that time and have followed them as a band in both my personal life and as that of a music journalist. They pushed the envelope a number of times in their releases and we have reviewed many of their recordings and video films on the site as well as supported their touring efforts. To see any contest that features Queensryche just click their logo below to launch the query that will present all that is resident on the PiercingMetal.com website.
Here’s to many more years of activity for an ever-changing band. Feel free to let me know what you think about the band or how they affected your own musical interests in the comments section below. All topical views are welcome.
Official Website: www.queensryche.com
There is a lot of interesting stuff going on in the Queensryche releases and you can check it out for yourself by using some of these Amazon.com links. Enjoy.
“The Warning” a masterpiece? No way. The correct answer is “Empire”.
Indeed, QR does not let their fans down in the USA. Last Year we were treated to one of my all time favorite albums almost played in its entirety: “Rage For Order” but Unfortunately I was not there. My first sighting of the band is from 1984 opening for Dio. In 1986 they opened for Bon Jovi and in 1988 for Metallica and I felt sorry for the guys; those last 2 opening slots were quite wrong for the band. Try to play ANY song off of “Rage For Order” in front of teenage girls who’re there ONLY for Bon Jovi. Or open up for Metallica was not easier either in 1988. Even the headliners told me that they rather prefer Danzig opening up for them. Anyway, in 1990 I saw Queensryche performing twice (basically opening for Metallica again while ACDC was headlining) In Copenhagen, Denmark and in London, England for the “Empire” tour. “Empire” was such a great follow up to “Operation: Mindcrime”. Then it took 4 years until the next album “Promised Land” which is not that bad album but after Chris DeGarmo left and “Hear In The Now Frontier” record came out it was time to end our relationship. I couldn’t and I still can’t stand grunge or grunge influences in music. Period. I only have one sighting of QR in the 2000, they played in a festival and it was not a happy sight; overweight and bald Geoff Tate singing in white dress. Now, if the band forgives me, in the year of 2010 I’m ready to go to see the cabaret performance with a renewed respect and curiosity.