Artist: Queensryche
Album: Queensryche
Genre: Heavy Metal
Release Date: 25th June 2013
Label: Century Media Records
Album Review
It may seem kind of odd that in today’s current metal world that there are two QUEENSRYCHE running around; one would think there would be copyright laws to deal with this. However, it is true- one QUEENSRYCHE is comprised of original vocalist Geoff Tate with new members from other groups and the other is all the other members of QUEENSRYCHE with a new vocalist to replace Tate. The real question then remains: which is the “real” QUEENSRYCHE and how will the original members fare with a new vocalist? Tate’s QUEENSRYCHE released their “debut” album back in 2012 and from the sound of it, it pretty much sounds like an extension of his solo albums with a mix of recent QUEENSRYCHE from 2005 and beyond. Due to his signature vocals, some may consider his group the original. Fortunately, if that is the case, the old QUEENSRYCHE and their new vocalist - Todd La Torre of Crimson Glory - are trying to do as much as they can to avoid sounding like a clone.
Recently it has seemed like QUEENSRYCHE has been going a bit soft - however with their new self-titled album that is no longer the case. It hits HARD, like heavy metal should. Now QUEENSRYCHE haven’t gone death or black metal or anything like that with their new vocalist, but this is like aggressive power metal at its best. La Torre has a voice that is similar to Khan formerly of KAMELOT - he can croon and hit the high notes quite well. As for the music, it is solid, aggressive rock. Just hearing the track ‘Spore’ from the riffs and listeners will know how QUEENSRYCHE is turning over a new leaf. This is definitely a return to the older days. There isn’t a single slow ballad on here- power metal fans may be disappointed- but it just helps to show the album’s ferocity. Other tracks like ‘Vindication’ and ‘Fallout’ are chock full of solos and great rhythms that don’t let up at all. The only ‘respite’ is from the brief instrumental ‘Midnight Lullabies’ which is just a nice atmospheric interlude.
As a result, there is going to be quite some division in the QUEENSRYCHE army- some will be torn to choose between Tate’s version and the original instrumental members. Ultimately, both are solid projects, and those who like recent QUEENSRYCHE will lean towards Tate’s project, where those who like debut and early QUEENSRYCHE of the 80s and 90s will find this project quite satisfying.
Tracklist
01. X2
02. Where Dreams Go To Die
03. Spore
04. In This Light
05. Redemption
06. Vindication
07. Midnight Lullaby
08. A World Without
09. Don't Look Back
10. Fallout
11. Open Road
Line-up
Eddie Jackson- Bass, Vocals (backing)
Todd La Torre- Vocals
Parker Lundgren- Guitars
Michael Wilton- Guitars
Scott Rockenfield- Drums, Percussion, Orchestral arrangements
Website
http://queensrycheofficial.com/intro.cfm
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 8
Sound: 8
Total: 8 / 10
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