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Queensryche: Queensryche

Melodic/Progressive Metal

5.0/5.0

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Century Media Records
by Joel Rittberg,  07.10.2013

How does a band with over 30 years of history, start anew? Create a CD that is memorable? A CD that rewards long-time fans with a sense of nostalgia, while giving them a modern Queensryche? Or maybe it’s just the fact that this CD isn't’t the product of a tyrannical madman, who lost touch with his fans, and in my opinion, his mind. While nearly everyone knows the history of what happened between the members of this band, and Geoff Tate, this review is about this disc. I am here to share the current and future of this band, not the past.

Queensryche: sans Tate.

The brief intro X 2 opens up this disc, with atmospheric keyboards, followed by a melodic guitar lead that builds up through this minute long track. Where Dreams Go To Die, is what follows in grand Queensryche fashion. Twin guitar melodies, melodic passionate vocals, and the best Queensryche song since anything on 2000’s Empire. The first thing you notice about this Queensryche, is that the guitars are heavier than they have ever been. It's a modern sound with a modern production, but it's still 100% Queensryche.

New vocalist Todd La Torre (ex-Crimson Glory), shows you that he is not a Geoff Tate clone, but a singer who does the name of Queensryche the justice it deserves. He will remind many listeners of Geoff Tate from 1986’s Rage for Order to 2000’s Empire, but he is not pretending to be the man. La Torre shows his vocal range on In This Light and Vindication, going from baritone lows to reaching those patented Queensryche’s highs, all within the same verses. Redemption (see below), the first song released from this disc, will remind listeners of the choruses of such classics as Jet City Woman or Another Rainy Night (Without You). While the latter two will remind you of Empire, A World Without will bring back memories of Rage for Order's, Gonna Get Close to you, with its moody intro and dark melody, and a chorus that really draws you in. Fallout is the shortest song on this disc, with a running time of just over two minutes and forty seconds. It has Eddie Jackson’s thumping bass line throughout the song. It is one of the songs, where you can feel the bass from start to finish. The Open Road closes out this disc, with a haunting yet beautiful song. This song is reminiscent of I Will Remember off of Rage for Order.

Queensryche - Redemption

The music on this disc is professional, progressive, and nostalgic to anyone who listened to the band 25 years ago. New members Todd La Torre (v) and Parker Lundgren (g) add to the mix. They are definitely not musicians for hire, they are permanent members of this band. They work cohesively with original members Scott Rockenfield (d), Eddie Jackson (b) and guitarist Michael Wilton, to create the best Queensryche CD in 23 plus years.

My only issue with this disc is that it is extremely short, at only thirty-two minutes for 10 songs. At that length, I am begging for more. It also gives me hope, knowing the direction of this band is safely moving forward. If you get the limited edition, you get the new Queensryche versions of three classic songs, En Force, Queen of the Reich, and Prophecy.

While the Queensryche camp, is split in two, and Tate’s Queensryche releasing Frequency Unknown prior to this album, the battle has begun, with a future court date to decide the future of the Queensryche name. As far as I am considered, there is no competition, this disc is everything longtime fans of Queensryche want, not the repetitious, half performed, album Tate released. Welcome back to the true Queensryche sound; the tyrant is gone! Easily recommended for all who enjoy, their music heavy, melodic, and equally captivating.

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

This disc is everything longtime fans of Queensryche want, not the repetitious, half performed, album Tate released. Welcome back to the true Queensryche sound. Easily recommended for all who enjoy, their music heavy, melodic, and equally captivating.

Alphabetical Index

eviewing my archives, I was pleased to find that I have had the privilege to review every Lionville since their self-titled debut in 2011. Formed by Stefano Lionetti, a songwriter, singer and guitarist based in ... [ Read More ]