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Q
QUEENSRYCHE - EMPIRE (1990)
Empire from 1990 came out two years after Operation: Mindcrime. So there are some
Empire from 1990 came out two years after Operation: Mindcrime. So there are some
similarities to their 1988 classic. There are some weird keyboards and orchestrations
on this record that could perhaps throw off some fans of their 80's catalogue. I would
have preferred that to be tuned down a bit but it's not like it's ruining the record. I
gotta say that Queensrÿche is one of the best produced bands of the 80's, everything they put out just always sounded stellar.
and Jet City Woman was also a huge song for the band. The two most played Queensryche
songs on Spotify so Empire was definitely a huge record with huge songs on it. The album was the bands biggest commercial success.
Even if I like Empire, I don't think it's as good as Operation: Mindcrime or Rage of Order.
Queensrÿche started out as a US Power metal band and they got increasingly progressive
and added new ideas that propelled the band from the bars to the stadiums. Wheter you
liked the more progressive direction it always felt like the band moved forward and this
is the first time I can't say that. The more glammed up hard rock had seeped in here,
it was certainly a move towards more commercialism to make it even bigger as a band.
Empire is not a sellout but it's moving in that direction.
No matter what, this is part of the classic era of Queensrÿche, before their empire fell
when guitarist Chris DeGarmo left the band.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
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QUEENSRYCHE - OPERATION: MINDCRIME (1988)
Operation: Mindcrime from 1988 is unviversally hailed as a masterpiece in metal, it's
considered to be THE concept album evem more so than King Diamond's Abigail.
The story follows Nicki an addict to his disillusion with society, so much that
he becomes involved with a group of revolutionaries that targets political leaders.
I get some serious Orwellian 1984 vibes from the story.
and Geoff Tate's insanely strong vocal performance makes the album something
people will talk about a hundred years from now. It was the first album from the band
that I heard after seeing it being discussed as one of the best metal albums of all time.
But as a thrash fan I didn't instantly get the greatness of the album but over
the years it has grown on me and now I think it's a masterpiece and an essential record
for all metal fans out there.
Songs like Revolutions Calling, Operation:Mindcrime, Eyes of a Stranger and even the more commercial / ballad I Don't Believe in Love are Queensrÿchian classics.
This is an essential record for all fans of hard rock, heavy metal or progressive metal.
Buy or die!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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QUEENSRYCHE - RAGE FOR ORDER (1986)
It was on Rage For Order Queensrÿche went full progressive metal. They really incorporated
new ideas into their music on this one. For example there are several songs referring to the
technological awakening, like I dream in Infrared or screaming in digital. This isn't
a full concept album but you can see them toying with the idea here.
The production and Geoff Tate's singing is excellent here, even though the album can be a bit
on the light side at times. The song Gonna Get Close To You is a Lisa Dalbello cover and I
hate that track and I skip it every time it plays. Rage For Order came in 1986 between
The Warning and Operation: Mindcrime and that's what the record sounds like too.
The production is clean professional sounding but the themes on the record aren't as paranoid
as on Operation: Mindcrime. The intro track Walk in the Shadows is a memorable song from
the album with it's huge chorus.
But overall Rage For Order is an excellent
record that I can recommend for all metal fans, at least the ones who are a bit openminded
towards progressive elements in their music.
Rage For Order was a step towards a more creative territory for the band and it worked in their favour, for now.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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QUEENSRYCHE - THE WARNING (1984)
After their successful EP, Queensrÿche released their debut album in 1984. The Warning
is truly a remarkable album. Tons of great songs on this record like Warning with it's echoing
chorus, En Force with it's Iron Maiden-esque melodies, Deliverance is one of their best ever songs
and Take Hold of the Flame is THE ballad with those soaring high falsetto screams.
Yes, You've probably seen the band perform Take Hold of the Flame
from that show in Japan, and if you haven't. Then you've missed the greatest vocal performance ever
recorded.The album version is obviously extremely great as well. This is probably the best vocal performance
on a full record of any vocalist ever. This transcends Dickinson, Halford and Dio in terms of
how great Geoff Tate's voice is here. The vocal performance should be enough for any metal fan to buy this record.
But The Warning is more than just some vocal showoff. The music is prime US Power Metal with some serious Iron Maiden worship and it's so well produced for being a 1984 debut record. Add to that some slight progressive elements but it's not like Rage For Order or Empire. It's not the slightest ruined by commercialism. This is one of my favourite 80's metal records.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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QUEENSRYCHE - QUEENSRYCHE (1983)
This is where it all started for Queensrÿche but they pretty much became a success overnight
with Queen of the Reich which they recorded a cool 80's sci-fi meets fantasy type of music video. A great song, another classic The emotionally gripping The Lady Wore Black is also on this five track EP. Their debut EP just features some blistering and melodic guitar attacks from Wilton and DeGarmo. It's like they took the ideas of Iron Maiden and perfected them. It's heavier than Maiden, The guitar melodies more memorable and Geoff Tate's soaring high vocals surpasses Bruce Dickinson in his prime. That's how you put out your first EP in style.
This EP is also recommended for those who didn't like the way Queensrÿche developed, wheter it was into progressiveness or commercialism or just being dull during the early 2000's. This is pure American steel and it's delivered on a level that few others could compete with. What a way to start your career with one of the greatest ever EP's. Highly recommended!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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