Artist: Queensryche Title: “The Warning” (remaster) Label: EMI Music/Capitol Records Release Date: 5/6/2003 Genre: Progressive Metal Rating: 8/10
The first full-length album by Queensryche took the Heavy Metal and Hard Rock world by surprise and with their support of both KISS and Iron Maiden (who were pushing “Animalize” and “Powerslave”) the band was instantly able to put themselves in front of a great potential fan base. The material on the new release “The Warning” and the bands incredible sound allowed them to stand as tall as these heavy hitters and along with music from the self-titled EP performed to an outstanding reaction. The touring for this release pretty much opened the door for Queensryche because back then the only folks who would have had the EP were those who often scoured the back pages of Rock magazines of the time and dug through record bins digging for gold. Queensryche was smart in the decision to not place any songs from their EP on the debut release which almost guaranteed that it would be purchased if you found yourself impressed by them. Most listeners to the growing Metal genre would find this to be the case and discover a band deeply rooted in the teachings of Iron Maiden and Judas Priest yet moving in a more technically progressive nature like that of Rush. With Queensryche you would get a little of everything and overall a very impressive band would be the result of these influences. The vocal power of Geoff Tate would blow you away with his breaking glass register. Musically they were incredible as well with twin axe-man ship of DeGarmo and Wilton taking what other bands had introduced for lead players and raising the bar to the next level. Scott Rockenfield was also a terrific drummer who worked his magic on the kit while bassist Eddie Jackson held it all together with ease. A great debut, with a lot of incredible songs that still hold relevance and awe on their fans to this day. Favorites of mine include not only the hit of “Take Hold Of The Flame” but also “Before The Storm” and “Child Of Fire”. Continue reading “The Warning” (remaster) by Queensryche→
Artist: Queensryche Title: “Rage For Order” (remaster) Label: Capitol Records Release Date: 5/6/2003 Genre: Progressive Metal Rating: 7.5/10
Queensryche would not suffer the dreaded “sophomore curse” with their second album but it would not win over all of their fans right away. It was not as much the display of Progressive Metal that their debut was but instead a dark and more somber musical experiment. The dramatic use of keyboards and an emphasis on technological aspects made this a little difficult to appreciate at first listen for the typical Metal fan. However, at the second turn at the music you will find yourself taken to a world that is as dark as it is thought-provoking. Songs like “Walk In The Shadows” and “I Dream In Infrared” were powerful and showcased a different Queensryche than we had experienced on the last album and from their tours. Maturing more and more as time went on, they were proving themselves worthy of holding the torch that was being held high by the likes of Judas Priest and Iron Maiden. In 1986 when this album was released both bands were riding a Metal wave that was showing no signs of stopping. Continue reading “Rage For Order” (remaster) by Queensryche→
Artist: Queensryche Title: “Promised Land” (remaster) Label: EMI Music/Capitol Records Release Date: 6/10/2003 Genre: Progressive Rock Rating: 7/10
Queensryche would continue its progression into a slightly different style from their origin on “Promised Land”. The album would follow hit maker “Empire” after a long break in releases for the band was almost always on tour. Released in 1994 we find a very different Queensryche and the end result makes “Promised Land” a very tricky record to absorb. While there are some solid rocking tracks like “I Am I” and “Damaged” there are also a few that seem out of place in this particular band (“Dis con nect ted”). “Bridge” is a nice ballad and would have made a good single for the band but I don’t recall it getting much radio play. The times of the day were loaded with other Seattle bands now as the “grunge movement” was in full sway and dominating every medium available. The title track itself has a very Pink Floyd feel to it and perhaps owes some respect to the legends for the way it ebbs and flows. At this point Queensryche had their core following and it seemed to maintain its course from there. Those that wanted heavy music had long since stopped and perhaps the mega hit of “Silent Lucidity” from “Empire” while making the necessary financial changes to their lives ended up costing some of those who supported from the beginning. Continue reading “Promised Land” (remaster) by Queensryche→
Artist: Queensryche Title: “Operation: Mindcrime” (remaster) Label: EMI Music/Capitol Records Release Date: 5/6/2003 Genre: Progressive Metal Rating: 10/10
Queensryche’s third full-length album would be the bands magnum opus and long receive the acclaim of being a Progressive Metal masterpiece. A lot of people did not get the premise of “Rage For Order” which was a really good album as well, but now with “Mindcrime” the group has brought experimentation from the last release along with the technical detail of their debut and proven just how talented this band is. A rich and detailed storyline filled with intrigue, mystery and politics is the premise of “Operation: Mindcrime” which finds the story’s “hero” Nikki detailing the recent events of his life. The album also introduces us to Dr. X, the villain of the story and Sister Mary, the reluctant heroine of the tale. From start to finish this is an amazing album and it’s difficult to absorb the level of detail just from the first listen. I remember when it was released at how the college radio stations would play the full side one to give the listener the full effect. It was one of those releases that you would find yourself buried in the lyric sheets as you read word for word to better grasp what was happening. Given the story running along the whole record its difficult to skip around (but it can be done after your first listen). With this album we find a Queensryche that shows no complacency or signs of slowing down the pace and for many fans of the band this entire album is their favorite and not just a couple of songs. I believe that this is due to the level of song writing on the piece as Geoff Tate and Chris DeGarmo pulled out all the stops. While I am also guilty of the full enjoyment my favorites fall to “Suite Sister Mary (the song that launched a career for Pamela Moore), “I Don’t Believe In Love” & “The Eyes Of A Stranger”. The level of musicianship of Tate, Wilton, DeGarmo, Jackson and Rockenfield is superb as well and should be applauded. Continue reading “Operation: Mindcrime” (remaster) by Queensryche→
Artist: Queensryche Title: “Empire” (remaster) Label: EMI Music/Capitol Records Release Date: 6/10/2003 Genre: Progressive Rock Rating: 8/10
After extensive touring in support of “Operation: Mindcrime” the band was able to call more of the shots when it came to delivery of the next album. Geoff Tate was largely the creative force behind Mindcrime and now the task would fall to DeGarmo who would have a writing credit in every song except the title track. “Empire” would also be the bands biggest commercial success due to the fact that many tracks were considered “radio friendly” to what was on the airwaves at the time. The 1990 release would find heavy rotation on the MTV network with their videos and the then strong rock radio empire as well. Songs like “Empire”, “Best I Can”, “Jet City Woman” and the crossover hit “Silent Lucidity” were staples and could be heard every day. The latter track was often referred to as Queensryche does Pink Floyd, for it held such a strong common feel to the psychedelic Rock giants. The band surely deserved the larger critical acclaim which would arrive seven years after their debut but the strong commercial angle of the recording would lose some of their heavier fans. More would stick with the band as their audience was growing older and finding expanded musical interests themselves. Queensryche seemed to be a band that matured along with their audience. Continue reading “Empire” by Queensryche (remaster) by Queensryche→
