Progarchives, the progressive rock ultimate discography

QUEENSRYCHE

Progressive Metal • United States


From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

Queensrÿche picture
Queensrÿche biography
Founded in Bellevue, Washington, USA in 1981 (as The Mob) - Still active as of 2019

Quite simply, Queensryche was one of the essential bands in the development of progressive metal. Merging the metal of Iron Maiden with the atmospheres of Pink Floyd, the band created what may still be the quintessential metal concept album, OPERATION: MINDCRIME. The band's sound has centered on the operatic vocals of Geoff Tate singing over numerous versions of heavy rock over a 30 year career.

Starting in the early 1980's in Seattle, Washington, guitarists Chris Degarmo and Michael Wilton, along with bassist Eddie Jackson and drummer Scott Rockenfield, were in a cover band, the Mob, cutting their teeth on the work of Judas Priest and Iron Maiden. Singer Geoff Tate of local progressive bands Babylon and the Myth was brought in sporadically for gigs and then an EP. The EP, fueled by the anthemic "Queen of the Reich" gained the band national exposure. The band acquired Tate permanently, changed their name in honor of their then signature song, and were signed to EMI.

Initially tagged as an Iron Maiden descendent, Queensryche folded in more and more progressive influences under Tate and DeGarmo's direction on the LPs THE WARNING and RAGE FOR ORDER. The latter is one of several albums that may be considered the first true progressive metal album, as it melded keyboards, conceptual themes, and more complex song structures. However, Queensryche's defining moment was the full concept album from 1988, OPERATION: MINDCRIME. Its ambitious story covered government, religion, sex, drugs, and mental illness. The interconnected songs included an over ten minute epic, several MTV hit singles, and fueled the band's rise supporting several of the top metal tours of the time.

The following album, EMPIRE, took an intentionally more commercial tone and catapulted the band to major arenas where they performed MINDCRIME in its entirety as a headliner. The Pink Floyd influenced single "Silent Lucidity" was one of the major hits of the year. This would be the band's peak with eclectic PROMISED LAND being the last of the band's classic era. Musical tastes had changed, and the band attempted unsuccessfully to accommodate to alternative / grunge with HEAR IN THE NOW FRONTIER. DeGarmo left the band soon after, and Queensryche has had an up and down career. TRIBE and OPERATION: MINDCRIME II were much better received than their predecessors, and the band's continuing tour...
read more

QUEENSRYCHE Videos (YouTube and more)


Showing only random 3 | Show all QUEENSRYCHE videos (5) | Search and add more videos to QUEENSRYCHE

Buy QUEENSRYCHE Music


QUEENSRYCHE discography


Ordered by release date | Showing ratings (top albums) | Help Progarchives.com to complete the discography and add albums

QUEENSRYCHE top albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

3.70 | 331 ratings
The Warning
1984
4.02 | 413 ratings
Rage For Order
1986
4.24 | 1223 ratings
Operation: Mindcrime
1988
3.81 | 468 ratings
Empire
1990
3.97 | 421 ratings
Promised Land
1994
2.49 | 231 ratings
Hear In the Now Frontier
1997
2.20 | 193 ratings
Q2K
1999
3.05 | 205 ratings
Tribe
2003
3.23 | 266 ratings
Operation : Mindcrime II
2006
2.24 | 135 ratings
Take Cover
2007
2.76 | 199 ratings
American Soldier
2009
1.83 | 169 ratings
Dedicated To Chaos
2011
1.96 | 117 ratings
Frequency Unknown
2013
3.48 | 132 ratings
Queensrÿche
2013
3.64 | 122 ratings
Condition Hüman
2015
3.53 | 71 ratings
The Verdict
2019
3.49 | 41 ratings
Digital Noise Alliance
2022

QUEENSRYCHE Live Albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

3.79 | 53 ratings
Live Evolution
2001
4.55 | 129 ratings
Operation: Livecrime
2001
2.59 | 36 ratings
The Art Of Live
2004
3.54 | 41 ratings
Mindcrime at the Moore
2007
2.00 | 4 ratings
Extended Versions
2007

QUEENSRYCHE Videos (DVD, Blu-ray, VHS etc)

4.54 | 72 ratings
Operation: LIVEcrime
1991
3.72 | 27 ratings
Live Evolution
2001
4.62 | 98 ratings
Operation: LIVEcrime
2001
2.35 | 32 ratings
The Art Of Live
2004
3.86 | 28 ratings
Mindcrime at The Moore
2007

QUEENSRYCHE Boxset & Compilations (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

3.71 | 40 ratings
Greatest Hits
2000
1.44 | 13 ratings
Classic Masters
2003
1.33 | 3 ratings
Face To Face
2006
3.57 | 23 ratings
The Best Of Queensryche: Sign Of The Times
2007

QUEENSRYCHE Official Singles, EPs, Fan Club & Promo (CD, EP/LP, MC, Digital Media Download)

3.50 | 165 ratings
Queensrÿche
1983
3.94 | 18 ratings
Anybody Listening?
1992

QUEENSRYCHE Reviews


Showing last 10 reviews only
 Operation: Mindcrime by QUEENSRYCHE album cover Studio Album, 1988
4.24 | 1223 ratings

BUY
Operation: Mindcrime
Queensrÿche Progressive Metal

Review by yarstruly

4 stars I'm going to say I'm level 3 with this album. I know it pretty well, but not expert level. I got to see Queensryche perform this album in its entirety on the Empire tour. It was quite a show! I like this album, but for whatever reason, I've always preferred Empire over it. Let's see if that changes upon a good listen?.

(Note: I am not going to copy it all here, but the Wikipedia article on the album, has a nice story summary. It might be helpful to read the summary prior to my review or listening to the album.)

Track 1 - I Remember Now

The introduction to our rock opera begins with ambient sounds of a doctor being paged in a hospital and a nurse deciding a patient needs another "shot", as the TV plays, she says "Sweet Dreams, you bastard?" Then the patient tells us he remembers now?doing what they told him to do.

Track 2 - Anarchy X

We start with a moderately fast beat with harmonized dual lead guitars over a rhythm bed. This leads us into the first true song on the album?

Track 3 - Revolution Calling

Geoff Tate's strong and unique voice kicks in. What a range! We have a strong heavy rhythm over which he sings the beginning of the story. The chorus is quite catchy! At about 3:10 the feel changes for the guitar solo break. This is a very signature Queensryche sound.

Track 4 - Operation: Mindcrime

The phone rings?after a few rings, the protagonist answers "Hello" first he hears the guitar riff on the phone, and then after another ring the guitar riff kicks in with bass & drums backing it up. Excellent tight 80s metal sound. Queensryche never ventured into thrash/speed metal territory. Most everything here is in 4-4 time with pretty standard song structures, but the playing and singing is at a very high level.

Track 5 - Speak

Nice quick guitar riffage here, boosting the excitement. Remember to "Speak the word?the word is all of us." I like the rhythm change at the end of the song but would have loved them to have done more with it.

Track 6 - Spreading the Disease

Excellent Tate vocals, with an 80s style palm-muted eighth note chugga chugga rhythm. It opens up to power chords on the chorus. The bridge is pretty interesting with panned percussion sounds and a whisper-sung vocal part. I like the drums on the outro, too.

Track 7 - The Mission

We have a televangelist appealing for money, with Nikki (the protagonist) coming in saying "Bless Me, Father, for I have sinned" and the sound of breaking glass. This one is at a mid-tempo and continues the 80s metal sound, but with a bit of synth in the mix. As with the rest of the album, the guitar solos are excellent.

Track 8 - Suite Sister Mary

We start with Dr. X telling Nikki to kill Mary & the Priest. At 10:40, this is by far the longest track on the album. I like the haunting guitar riff joined by a gothic choir and power chords. The tempo increases at about 3:15. There is a female singer, Pamela Moore, who joins in and sings the part of Mary. She joined them on the Empire tour when they performed the whole album, and she has reprised the role at other events and on the sequel album in 2006. The choir returns at around 6:20 and it becomes very dramatic. Moore is a perfect vocal foil for Tate who sings with just as much power and drama. The song closes with the sound of a thunderstorm.

Track 9 - The Needle Lies

Nikki wants out, but Dr. X says he can't walk away. We get an up-tempo rocker with awesome guitar fills and solos. Don't ever trust?don't ever trust the needle. I love the riff at the end of the guitar break and the end of the song.

Track 10 - Electric Requiem

This one reminds me of the sound of the previous Queensryche album, Rage for Order. Dark synths and atmospheric guitars with big drums. It's over too quickly.

Track 11 - Breaking the Silence

A moderately fast rocker. As with the rest, great playing & singing. It sounds like the 2 guitarists trade licks in the solo. It ends with overlapping echo vocals saying, "we know you did it, why'd you do it?"

Track 12 - I Don't Believe in Love

The big hit single from the album. Moderately fast tempo. Clean guitars on the verses, heavy on the chouses. Key change for the guitar break. Nice harmony dual lead guitars. Clean guitar arpeggios at the end of it.

Track 13 - Waiting for 22

The clean arpeggios continue here with different chords, then lead guitar over the top. (brief instrumental?)

Track 14 - My Empty Room

A continuation of Waiting for 22 with vocals and a ticking clock, also very brief?it builds in intensity leading to the big finale?.

Track 15 - Eyes of a Stranger

At just under 7 minutes, it's the second longest track. An ominous keyboard part leads to the heavy guitars. Clean chords under the verse that get heavy in the choruses. Fantastic vocals from Tate. Synths filling out the sound again. Big drum fills around the 5:00 mark. We end with a callback to the beginning of the album ? "I Remember Now."

OVERALL IMPRESSIONS:

Impeccable production from Peter Collins (who would work with Rush in the near future after this). Top notch playing. Degarmo and Wilton's guitar work is superb and Jackson and Rockenfield are a solid rhythm section. Tate's vocals are stellar. But here's my issue. It all starts to blend together on most of the songs. Individually, each song is wonderful. But there's not enough diversity to keep it fresh. So, with acknowledgement of the great performances, I give this a 3.5 out of 5 stars. I'm sure many will disagree. But that's how I feel about it. (Gotta give it a 4 on the stars here though)

 Digital Noise Alliance by QUEENSRYCHE album cover Studio Album, 2022
3.49 | 41 ratings

BUY
Digital Noise Alliance
Queensrÿche Progressive Metal

Review by UMUR
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

3 stars "Digital Noise Alliance" is the sixteenth full-length studio album by US power/heavy metal act Queensrÿche. The album was released through Century Media Records in October 2022. It´s the successor to "The Verdict" from March 2019 and features a couple of lineup changes since the predecessor as guitarist Parker Lundgren has been replaced by Mike Stone (who previously played with Queensrÿche in the 2003-2009 period), and drummer Casey Grillo has been added as a permanent member after Scott Rockenfield didn´t return (he didn´t play on "The Verdict" either, where the drums were recorded by lead vocalist Todd La Torre, who also happens to be a capable drummer). Rockenfield took a longer paternity leave, but his status with the band was uncertain for quite a few years, before lawsuits between him and the other two remaining founding members Michael Wilton (guitars) and Eddie Jackson (bass) put an end to his time in Queensrÿche.

"Digital Noise Alliance" is the fourth La Torre fronted Queensrÿche studio album after he replaced Geoff Tate in 2012, and it further cements the musical direction which Queensrÿche returned to after they fired Tate. The last couple of Tate-fronted Queensrÿche studio albums weren´t well received and many fans felt that the band were going through the motions...and in retrospect that´s probably exactly what was happening, and change was needed and ultimately happened. The 2013 eponymously titled "Queensrÿche" album introduced a more power/heavy metal oriented style, where it was obvious that the band were searching for a sound closer to their late 80s/early 90s heyday, and with the new energy and strong vocals of La Torre they arguably succeeded in giving the fans what they had been craving for a number of years. Melodic and catchy power/heavy metal with an occasional commercial edge, but still not mainstream in a pop/rock fashion.

Since then they´ve continued down that same path and with a couple of more good quality studio albums under their belt with La Torre fronting them, it´s no surprise that "Digital Noise Alliance" is more of the same high quality melodic power/heavy metal which Queensrÿche have been exponents for in the last decade. La Torre is still an expressive and skilled singer with a voice which sounds like a combination of Geoff Tate and Bruce Dickinson (which are definitely not the worst singers to be compared to), and the band are as well playing as ever (lineup changes or not). This is sharp, melodic, catchy, hard rocking, and clear sounding power/heavy metal, which is packed in a detailed and polished sounding production, which suits the material well.

It´s maybe a bit too nice sometimes and I´d love to hear this incarnation of Queensrÿche really let loose and cut some of the polished production values and atmosphere enhancing keyboards. When they are most raw and heavy metal oriented (like the verse section of "Sicdeth" or the heavy riffs and rhythms on "Behind the Walls") they sound incredible. On the other hand they are still masters of producing beautiful harmonies (both with guitars and vocals) and it´s a big part of their sound, so it wouldn´t be Queensrÿche without the melodies and the polish.

Upon conclusion "Digital Noise Alliance" is another good quality power/heavy metal release from Queensrÿche. There are no surprises here and if you enjoyed the last couple of albums this one will be right down your alley too, and that´s maybe the only complaint I have with latter day Queensrÿche. Their will to experiment and try out new things are pretty much gone and although they arguably produce high quality music, they´ve locked into a groove now and their albums sound a lot alike. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.

(Originally posted on Metal Music Archives).

 The Warning by QUEENSRYCHE album cover Studio Album, 1984
3.70 | 331 ratings

BUY
The Warning
Queensrÿche Progressive Metal

Review by Lesanderd

4 stars On this day September 7, the band released their first full album, so I decided to write a few words about it. In my opinion, the best turn in the history of music happened when Queensryche left those metal song cliches behind them and started to deal with topics like a dystopian future, deep state, and conspiracy theories( some of them turned out to be indisputable true)The year was 1984 and these gentlemen were pulling out of their sleeves a timeless, brilliant, original, energetic album, a debut worthy of what very few could even imagine, especially at that time.If something characterizes this great band it is elegance. The talent of these 5 musicians from Seattle was already glimpsed in their EP, and The Warning reveals the enormous potential they had. In my book, Geoff Tate will be forever the greatest vocalist. His range, power, high and low tones, convincing style, and above all his ability to transfer emotions to the listener, separate him from all other metal singers. Plus incredibly and probably most undervalued the guitar duo with DeGarmo and Wilton seconded by Eddie Jackson and the great drummer Scott Rockenfield make a high-quality quintet on all fronts. The album flows pretty well, the quality is consistently on a very, very high level. it has some Maiden, Yes and Rush vibes attached to it There are some very dark gothic parts, fans of faster sound can find some speed metal moments also this is the only album on which Michael Wilton has more writing credits than the mighty Chris DeGarmo. Some of the best songs Queensryche ever wrote are on this album "Take Hold of the Flame" and "Roads to Madness" Geoff voice and convincing performances in both are simply unreal. The arrangements for strings from Micheal Camen, put the whole work on the next level of greatness. Without any doubt "The Warning" is an extremely strong debut album from a legendary band on the rise
 Operation: Livecrime by QUEENSRYCHE album cover Live, 2001
4.55 | 129 ratings

BUY
Operation: Livecrime
Queensrÿche Progressive Metal

Review by alainPP

5 stars A hidden chronicle of a major album revisited for the pleasure of praising or destroying this cult band. chronicle of "operation mindcrime".

1 I Remember Now intro cinematic to PLASMATICS with the attack of the worms, I remember now 2 Anarchy-X and the 2nd entry with the characteristic sound of QUEENSRYCHE, voice in portaphone, parlophone, short in megaphone, syncopated drums lit, a guitar solo in instrumental, everything is there for the show! The battery rings the bell, the death knell, it announces 3 Revolution Calling and its warming intro, which repeats the same tune, yes but here we are in the revolution Geoff with his typical voice, his inimitable phrasing begins to set fire; it hits the drums, it screams, ah the break ... metal-prog yes you got it, the one that makes you prick up your ears, that makes you fantasize in front of this sound from elsewhere, like what you shouldn't big thing 4 Operation: Mindcrime tumbles, what an intro that lasts, a riff that takes you to the guts, but what is this group, not normal especially Chris who uses his guitar to progress in a future fusion that will do good to prog dying, ah Dying that makes you thirsty too!! 5 Speak continues, the sound, the story of this drug addict who will serve for unacknowledged political ends, in short 6 Spreading The Disease now with an observation... it's almost the same... the titles at the rhythmic level but there is a little thing that changes; there is a, dare I... progressive evolution in the continuation of these titles; the guitar solo that unrolls, the tribal percussions that follow, the high notes in stereo and it starts again with a cry from geoff, what a beautiful voice he had, the guy... I translate for the girls: what was he well done in his pants moldburnes!!!! 7 The Mission cinematic intro back when we didn't know what it meant; a languorous voice that overwhelms, it goes up like a 'Kashmir', bam little explosion, a riff, synths that brighten up the ear, a similar title that changes, that makes the album evolve, almost an hour all the same it's ain't nothing! 8 Suite Sister Mary ... I remember... with Pamela Moore for the voice of the prostitute, yes a not funny diatribe on a title, the title which allowed metal to make a place for itself in the progressive world; the intro on an opera aria, the climb, it's all there... yes I'm going to make myself agonize again oh but he sees prog everywhere... but prog is the atmosphere not just the dinos otherwise where would we be now? Well I don't talk much about THIS title, 5mn and the scrolling solo, ah a break, a musical redemption to launch a missile at us, an OMNI excuse me also well calibrated; ah the opera choirs on a possible end of the world, in short, you're listening to it again, it's okay I did my job. 8 minutes and it's liberation, the air has bewitched you, you stamp your feet, the storm is coming, come back. 9 The Needle Lies always a quick voice-over intro, always a memory of 'The Maggots' by PLASMATICS that's how it is; faster, the riff more nervous too, hard 10 Electric Requiem by the way there is someone, yes we think of 'The Wall', super nice, the orchestral interlude that makes you swoon, yes I dreamed of it they did it, the slap, the atmosphere , you put it back in loop 4, 5 times before the following title so it's beautiful, the organ, the guitar, the drums, short but good, enjoyable! 11 Breaking The Silence for the consensual title, let me explain it's good but we're getting into the hard and the progs will say ah you see it's not prog, end of explanation; a catchy rhythm which squirts everywhere but that's already it. 12 I Don't Believe In Love continues... same dynamic, yes an OMNI also needs fuel and only has a nuclear battery that needs to be recharged from time to time, and considering the price it's not obvious, you're waiting for the right price and you don't go any further, in short the solo still has that little bit more heavy that makes you stagnate if you don't take off... it goes down slowly, introducing 13 Waiting For 22 for a dance step, uh an aerial solo, just like that so that 14 My Empty Room with its alarm clock puts you on the lookout again; fast, latent, wait-and-see, with a nirvanesque explosion oh damn they weren't there on the ground, in short too bad we throw ourselves on 15 Eyes Of A Stranger final wallien, yes the PINK FLOYD had to pass in their register; sinister, aerial, spatial, the final title which reconciles the hard with the prog spirit.... and don't tell me yet that the abandonment of the verse, chorus, verse is missing... I don't know but there there is still a break that I also feel with MANFRED MANN, in short, we are on melodic hard from progressive, from haunting, from hypnotizing, a proto metal prog that I am writing to you.... and this finale right after the end... I remember now, sang prog! (5 of course)

 Empire by QUEENSRYCHE album cover Studio Album, 1990
3.81 | 468 ratings

BUY
Empire
Queensrÿche Progressive Metal

Review by altered_beast

3 stars My cousin introduced me to Queensryce with Operation Mindcrime. By then I believe it was already triple platinum and I guess I also had heard songs from this album without realizing it was the same band. Anyway I ended up buying Empire which was my first Prog Metal album. I really didn't think of Prog Metal being a genre until my whole life changed when I heard Dream Theater for the first time.

Nevertheless Queensryce did change my opinion about Metal at the time as I searched for more like it and it resulted in finding Fates Warning and others. I really thought of Queensryce as high quality Metal like Iron Maiden and going into a more experiential direction. Not too long after I got into Queensryce would I discover Dream Theater one of my all time favorites so this was a step in the right direction and I have no regrets.

Empire is in no way better than Operation Mindcrime or Rage for Order which are suprisingly very Proggy for the time they came out. I guess the same could be said about Empire though I think Fates Warning either completely rivaled Queensryce or even beat them most of the time. I actually prefer Fates Warning to this day.

Much more Arena Rock sounding and much less Maiden sounding than their previous releases. Quite a bit of Alternative Rock influence also as they were from Seattle. Hand on Heart, Another Rainey Night, Resistance, Jet City Woman, One and Only, are like a much heavier,proggier, and better version of anything 80's Journey.

Thin Line and Della Brown remind me a little bit of bands like Soundgarden and Alice in Chains but a more experiential and sofisticated version.

Is Anybody Listening and Silent Lucidity a strong Pink Floyd influence and the highlights of the album and what is most memorable about it.

This is a great album. I have actually listened to it more times than about any other Prog Metal album considering I have owned it the longest. But for Prog Metal it kind of takes a step down. Especially when put up against their previous releases. Don't expect it to be a top album but a very influential one.

 Operation: Mindcrime by QUEENSRYCHE album cover Studio Album, 1988
4.24 | 1223 ratings

BUY
Operation: Mindcrime
Queensrÿche Progressive Metal

Review by BrufordFreak
Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

4 stars The highly-acclaimed "prog" masterpiece from one of the 1980s' iconic hairbands.

1. "I Remember Now (1:17) a hospital-based radio play that sets the scene for this concept album.

2. "Anarchy-X" (1:27) one forgets the advantages of having two guitarists--and a good drummer. (4.25/5)

3. "Revolution Calling" (4:42) too bad the drummer's been housed in such a poor sound from the 80s-influenced engineer. Coming from listening to Voivod all morning I'm quickly reminded that Queensrÿche is no punk rock holdover much less a Tech/Extreme Metal wannabe; these guys are full on 80s hairband with half of their focus on looks/appearances and theatricity. Musically this is not a very special song, just solid. It must be in the lyrics that the this song and album have their value. (8.5/10) 4. "Operation: Mindcrime" (4:43) solid song with a surprising amount of space and sloth-like speed. Again, it must be the words and vocal performance skill of Geoff Tate that earns this song and album such a solid fan (and critical) base. It's a well-performed, well-produced song with a memorable chorus hook. (8.75/10)

5. "Speak" (3:42) Geoff Tate gives quite a remarkable vocal performance on this one. A nice controlled song with some well-constructed shifts between motifs and a couple of inventive entertainment hooks--including the male choir's repeated bass chant. Again, too bad about that 80s drum sound. (8.875/10)

6. "Spreading The Disease" (4:07) The 80s drum sound is especially annoying in a straightforward rock 4/4 beat. Very interesting ending with an effected drum fadeout. (8.25/10)

7. "The Mission" (5:46) multiple guitar arpeggi over which Geoff sings in a very theatric pleading voice. At 1:23 the whole band shifts into drive with some pretty standard hairband rock riffing and singing. Aside from the interesting syncopation in the chorus and some nice harmonized guitar twinning around the three-minute mark, this could literally be any hairband from the 1980s. Still, this is very well done; I can see why this song could become a fan favorite. Definitely a top three song for me. (8.875/10)

8. "Suite Sister Mary" (10:41) the plot thickens--a murder plot; a coven of religious zealots chanting their angry truth, the crime committed. Again Geoff starts off with a very theatric vocal . The presence of the choir must geek a few people. But then a guitar throws down a riff of power chords to signal a shift into a more MEAT LOAF-like passage (which then turns RUSH at 3:48). The drummer's disco foot pedal drives the song forward until the shift into the choral-infused section. Back and forth the band switches from motif to motif, extending this (unnecessarily?). Entertaining but forgettable. (17.25/20)

9. "The Needle Lies" (3:08) It's, it's, it's the Ballroom Blitz! (How any band wants to replicate this monotonous shuffle-- especially with the 80s engineering choices--I can't figure out. It must be a drummer thing.) It's all I can hear! (8.25/10)

10. "Electric Requiem" (1:22) interesting (until the awful sound of the snare hit accosts). Develops nicely but then suddenly ends. Why? What was the purpose? (4.5/5)

11. "Breaking The Silence" (4:34) A very nice 80s song with a kind of ROBIN TROWER remnant guitar riff in the forefront; even the stereotypic hairband power chords can't totally destroy this one. A top three for me. (8.875/10)

12. "I Don't Believe In Love" (4:23) another very nice 80s sounding song--with great rolling bass play and FIXX--like sound to the guitar strums. My final top three. (One last question: Is the Mindcrime story over? Has the concept album story finished? This song doesn't seem to fit the story line.) (8.875/10)

13. "Waiting For 22" (1:05) nice guitar étude. (4.5/5)

14. "My Empty Room" (1:28) ticking clock, guitar arpeggi, and Geoff's plaintive vocal sound awesome, but then all hell breaks loose at the very end. (4.75/5)

15. "Eyes Of A Stranger" (6:39) opens with a collage of PINK FLOYD scenes (from both The Wall and Dark Side of the Moon) but then turns into a solid heavy rock song--one that is, again, unfortunately, quite typical of the "metal" scene of the 1970s and 80s. Great performance from Geoff Tate. The dude has really grown. Too bad that one of the main musical hooks of the song seems to come straight out of AC/DC's "Hell's Bells." (8.875/10)

Total Time: 59:16

Unfortunately, my criticism of this album is biased by my tendency to lump all hairband music from the 1980s into one category, but, in my defense: it does all sound very much the same to me.

B/four stars; a nice addition to any prog lover's music collection--especially if you're into the 1980s classic hard rock/"metal" scene.

 Rage For Order by QUEENSRYCHE album cover Studio Album, 1986
4.02 | 413 ratings

BUY
Rage For Order
Queensrÿche Progressive Metal

Review by BrufordFreak
Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

4 stars Hailed as the "thinking man's metal band"'s transition from guitars-only to synth-integrated, the band's sophomore effort is no drop off or disappointment; it is in fact an improvement and a step into their future mantle as leaders of the Prog Metal sub-genre.

1. "Walk In The Shadows" (3:37) clearly a big arena favorite. Sounds like ever other hairband anthem from the 1980s. (8.5/10)

2. "I Dream In Infra Red" (4:17) a lot in common with DEF LEPPARD. (8.667/10)

3. "The Whisper (3:37) sounds like OZZIE. Though on the polished, higher-skilled level of the pile, this is still pretty straightforward hairband music to my ears. (8.667/10)

4. "Gonna Get Close To You" (4:37) the first fairly interesting song I've heard. (8.75/10)

5. "The Killing Words" (3:56) another unusual and unique soundscape over which singer Geoff Tate delivers a commanding stage-centric performance. Unfortunately, the chorus brings us back into stereotypic hairband territory. Very cool instrumental passage in the third minute. (9/10)

6. "Surgical Strike" (3:19) an anti-war song that predates the high tech battle tactics of our modern "remote control" military. This is another mostly-pure metal song in the same world as Ozzy and Iron Maiden. (8.5/10)

7. "Neue Regel" (4:54) another unique (for its time) and unusual song construct (with lots of cowbell) and another masterful OZZY-like performance from frontman Geoff Tate. The chorus is, unfortunately, a bit of a step down from the verses and instrumental passages. (8.75/10)

8. "Chemical Youth (We Are Rebellion)" (4:14) another more circumspective social commentary rendered in a different, even clever way. (8.667/10)

9. "London" (5:07) nice DEF LEPPARD-like soundscape over which to deliver a eulogy of London town. The best chorus on the album. (8.875/10)

10. "Screaming In Digital" (3:36) another more creative song construct--using more effects and odd techniques than most metal bands ever use--but then the choruses are straight metal. I like the melodies here (but not the sound of the drum's snare). (8.875/10)

11. "I Will Remember" (4:27) acoustic guitar delicately picked over low basso profundo drone. Speaks a little of the future hit, "Silent Lucidity." Quite an unusual vocal style and range on this one. Is it still Geoff Tate? Great use of the acoustic guitar--especially the Spanish guitar as the solo instrument in the third minute's instrumental passage. Geoff's voice is almost choir-boy angelic. Nice! (9.25/10)

Total Time: 45:41

A 1980s hairband with a conscience. To me it's still bombastic 80s hairband metal.

B/four stars; an excellent addition to any prog lover's music collection--especially if you have leanings or loyalties toward the 80s metal scene.

 Digital Noise Alliance by QUEENSRYCHE album cover Studio Album, 2022
3.49 | 41 ratings

BUY
Digital Noise Alliance
Queensrÿche Progressive Metal

Review by alainPP

3 stars QUEENSR?CHE, who would have thought that I would chronicle them one day? Founded in 1981, 86 and an avant-garde 'Rage For Order', 88 and the ultimate metal-prog concept before its time; MAIDEN and FLOYD reunited with Geoff TATE and his operatic voice and name taken from their original hit-anthem 'Queen of the Reich'. Keyboards to denote basic heavy-metal, a more complex composition that will propel them to the face of the world. A separation from the singer, the soul of the group, procrastinated albums bringing nothing new and drowning fans in repetition; in short what about this 17th opus, the 4th with Todd with vocals speaking of the alliance against digital noise, having apparently a more marked progressive expression?

"In Extremis" his recognizable, voice à la IRON MAIDEN, yes Todd has this particularity while the original group precisely took up the compositions of the master group, singular; good rhythmic melodic metal, weighed with the prog tessitura, the sound, a bit of latency and the catchy guitar. "Chapters" Jackson on bass distills a heavy heavy rhythm with a chorus removed for stadium, just enough to regress a few decades; good and agreed with the solo which goes well in break. "Lost in Sorrow" wakes me up a bit; high voice and "Empire" sound, choppy, progressive, it's starting to interest me; the catchy guitar riff and 5 minutes that go by like a letter in the post, with no mail delay. "Sicdeth" more nervous, at least this album is not boring, which I feared; drawing inspiration from the sound of yesteryear and with that cool proggy metal touch; the sober break that arrives gives hope of a drift for a few moments, that's cool especially that "Behind the Walls" arrives as a chained title with this enjoyable, latent, almost symphonic intro; that's it, I feel like I'm diving back into "Operation" at this precise moment; his recent, more nervous, more 'Cadbury', my feet vibrate it's a good sign; it is especially that we are not dealing with an album mouth hole on the classic sounds; a synth in the background stamped prog metal smells good; variation of the voice, guitar excrescences, synth re-covering, the riff which holds in suspense and the final in crescendo with the crystalline guitars and this final synth which makes shiver, hop. "Nocturnal Light" tumbles and drives the point home: progressive latency by the voice, the rhythm, the architecture of the title built like a story; be careful, the station wagon is huge, everything is there to make you swoon; my speakers liked it, they even got me out of the dust of the 80s by pushing the volume.

"Out of the Black" for the 2nd side and an old-shool sound for a melodic title with a licked riff, voices and choirs as before and the solo which glides by itself; title à la MAIDEN à la PRIEST, à la LIZZY. "Forest" paf stop ballad; text on the pandemic, the loss of a loved one, melancholy harmony just right; warm, languorous voice and latent declination with a keyboard touch. "Realms" opening medieval riff, we wait for the horde of Huns coming with their swords; the guitar riff that squirts, the musical voice that follows the rhythm, all that I like or how to combine text and instruments; it goes up, it's nervous and melodic, epic and agreed all the same, you can't have very good all the time. "Hold On" goes on suddenly, jerky air, the drums raise the atmosphere; Todd comes in softly with Chris' vocals on the verse; it's 80's atmosphere on the other hand without much novelty we agree; the whirling break with this melodic, fruity guitar saves the title; boom sequence with "Tormentum" the title: intro hard riff speed à la SLAYER, sharp voice MAIDEN which sends; more choirs, the repetitive air and it starts very heavy, only the riff suggests that it will last; 3 minutes, a few thoughts, a voice-over, pads, an incisive guitar solo that searches for itself then leaves which of Mike and Michael will have the last word; the backing vocals return before Todd regains control aided by a decrescendo. "Rebel Yell (bonus track)" synths in front for Billy's limpid cover with guitars in the background, additional title for the pleasure of remembering, also a reminder that time flies too.

QUEENSR?CHE released a catchy, varied, dynamic and sometimes atmospheric album with metal fusion and advanced proggy; latent atmospheres are created and avoid falling into a redundant phase; an album that does not invent but brings up to date the progressive fusion of metal with the progressive current. Good quality album which could be more noticed if certain titles had explored these prog breaks more deeply.(3.5)

 Digital Noise Alliance by QUEENSRYCHE album cover Studio Album, 2022
3.49 | 41 ratings

BUY
Digital Noise Alliance
Queensrÿche Progressive Metal

Review by ElChanclas

4 stars I have to begin my comments on this album by saying that I stopped listening to this band back in the early 90's when grunge took the world of music by storm, so right out of the gate Todd's presence is a new one for me. So' 30 years after I last made contact with the band, an incredible reinvigorated Queensr'che releases their 17th studio album, and there's only a twelve album run that I just missed and the content of those records remains unknown to me. From the times of Empire we still have founder member Michael Wilton on guitars and long time bass player Eddie Jackson, accompanying them are Todd La Torre on vocals, Mike Stone on guitars, and Casey Grillo on drums. There are two main aspects of this album that immediately showed me its greatness and started de pull-me back process of nonstop listens, those are the outstanding and catchy guitar work, and the high quality on the vocals, both melodies and harmonies, plus the immense range Mr. La Torre has.

Besides that, the production on the rhythmic section is absurdly good, the album sounds heavy, clear and powerful, memorable from start to finish' before Rebel Yell'

The best way to describe what I'm listening to when I drop the needle here is a mix of late period (actual) Iron Maiden with the more technical early Queensr'che era, and a side of extra melodies and twin guitar work. Progressive metal with just the right virtuosity and complexity, never overwhelming and always hooky, all songs can be sing-a-long songs without abandoning the darkness and redness of the music, formidable formula!

The album kicks off with the intense opener In Extremis, and from that moment on it will just start climbing higher and higher in quality, reaching its pinnacle with the hypnotic Behind Walls, a future live anthem for sure. There's a moment on doubt in my mind with the softy Forest, something in the vocals perhaps, not the mood or musical content, I just find something off, very minuscule, but is there somewhere' however it still is a very strong song, perhaps the band just needed to provide a break before the final climb to the summit, trying to accomplish the hight they invested almost 30 minutes to reach, now they only have slightly over 12 minutes to get there again, and they do, eventually. Chapters, Lost in Sorrow, Sicdeth, Nocturnal Light, Out of the Black, Realms, Hold On, and Tormentum round up an exquisite setlist of songs, a very solid record. Highly recommended for any metal music lover, no matter the sub genre, perhaps the best in Progressive metal so far in 2022' just perhaps. Cheers'

 Empire by QUEENSRYCHE album cover Studio Album, 1990
3.81 | 468 ratings

BUY
Empire
Queensrÿche Progressive Metal

Review by Gallifrey

4 stars Listening diary 1st October 2021: Queensrÿche - Empire (heavy metal, 1990)

Although glam metal wasn't exactly the most aesthetically interesting movement, it's interesting to observe that right towards its end, there did seem to be a tiny bit of artistic development - right before grunge came along and wiped it away, of course. This, alongside W.A.S.P's phenomenal The Crimson Idol, represent what cock rock could have looked like with a bit more finesse and soul. Coming right after the pseudo-prog Operation: Mindcrime, Empire sees Queensryche return to a more song-oriented approach, but with a bit more passion and grit. The rock tunes here are melodious, catchy and anthemic, and have the kinds of choruses that get stuck in your head in a good way, rather than the irritating earworms of most glam metal. But the real knockout here is, of course, "Silent Lucidity". The band had hinted at a soul with moments on Mindcrime, but they never reached anything this beautiful. In fact, I don't think anything remotely connected to glam metal did, and I'd argue it being one of the most passionate ballads of classic metal.

The rest of the album does suffer from the same aesthetic drawbacks of cock rock, and the solos aren't exactly great, but there's definitely a lot more going for this than what you'd expect from its paper description.

7.3 (4th listen)

Part of my listening diary from my facebook music blog - www.facebook.com/TheExoskeletalJunction

Thanks to Proglucky for the artist addition. and to Quinino for the last updates

Copyright Prog Archives, All rights reserved. | Legal Notice | Privacy Policy | Advertise | RSS + syndications

Other sites in the MAC network: JazzMusicArchives.com — jazz music reviews and archives | MetalMusicArchives.com — metal music reviews and archives

Donate monthly and keep PA fast-loading and ad-free forever.