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QUEENSRŸCHE
Queensrÿche

Century Media (2013)
Rating: 10/10

It has been many years since Queensrÿche was a driving force in the metal scene. Their steady growth was rewarded with the success of rock opera Operation: Mindcrime (1988) and solidified by the chart topping Empire (1990).

A series of mediocre albums were released after, many seeing the band bend to the current musical trends rather than hold true to their roots. The loss of original guitarist Chris DeGarmo, and more recently the firing of vocalist Geoff Tate made many wonder if Queensrÿche could continue as a viable entity.

The muddy waters of two Queensrÿches, one including original members Scott Rockenfield, Michael Wilton and Eddie Jackson, and an entirely different group fronted by Tate, have only served to bring even more questions to the minds of the metal masses. The answers can be found in the 11 tracks presented on Queensrÿche.

Despite Geoff Tate’s assertion that he is responsible for writing 81% of Queensrÿche’s material, the band’s first album without him is also the first classic album in their catalogue since Empire and possibly the first to fully engage the elements that comprise the band’s trademark sound since Operation: Mindcrime.

Vocalist Todd La Torre, formerly of Crimson Glory, captures the essence of the band’s early material, offering a delivery that is reminiscent of Tate’s best work with a power metal edge. Longtime fans will find La Torre’s work to be a spectacular return to form for the band, making it damn near impossible to mourn the loss of Geoff Tate, as iconic as his voice and presence have been.

Looking beyond the issue of changing vocalists, Queensrÿche brings forth some of their best songwriting to date. Opening track ‘X2’ is a short instrumental that builds tension only to release into the album’s first real song, ‘Where Dreams Go To Die’. The calm verse builds into a power prog chorus that captures the mixture of heavy and melody that Queensrÿche has always based their sound upon. The dueling guitars of Michael Wilton and Parker Lundgren offer a cutting counterpoint to La Torre’s passionate vocals, and provide a perfect twin guitar solo in true Queensrÿche style. The modern production adds to the pleasing sound, and the result is a band reborn, true to their history while embracing a modern sound that is a logical progression from their best work.

Throughout this release Queensrÿche presents songs that easily fit alongside their existing catalogue. ‘A World Without’ is reminiscent of moments from 1986’s Rage For Order. ‘Spore’ and ‘Redemption’ have the same kind of grand melodic choruses that made Empire a hit. The vocal melodies on the chorus of ‘Redemption’ are very similar to those heard on ‘Jet City Woman’.

‘In This Light’ could have fit well on Empire as well, and showcases why bassist Eddie Jackson and drummer Scott Rockenfield are one of the strongest rhythm sections in the rock world, as they provide power even in the quietest moments of this track. Not only is the rhythm section tight, but the entire band syncs in a way that makes it hard to believe that two of the five members, guitarist Parker Lundgren as well as vocalist Todd La Torre, are making their first album proper with the band.

Queensrÿche is a classic album worthy of the band’s name. The songs presented build upon the group’s legendary past to create an album that is both modern and able to represent well compared to any previously released fan favourites. Wilton, Jackson and Rockenfield did the world a favour by allowing new members La Torre and Lundgren to be involved in the writing process.

To those who would ask if Queensrÿche will be torn apart by inner conflict, or if the band even has a place in the world of modern metal, Queensrÿche themselves have produced an answer. As a fan, this is the first album the band has released that has excited my ears in years. These songs have solidified in my mind that there need only be one Queensrÿche in the world, and they have proven themselves on this release.

Jim McDonald