Official Queensryche thread: Kickstart the next album

[RodrigoAltaf]

The songs Geoff recorded  with Avantasia were the best he recorded in a long time, as compositions and performances as a singer. I think it would be totally great if Tobias Sammet makes an entire album writing and producing songs for Geoff like those.
Anyway, I liked the first Sweet Oblivion album, nothing truly remarkable, but I still like Geoff singing this style of music.
For those who listened the second album, Geoff at least put more effort in his singing than in the first one?

I didn't have a problem with his singing in the first one, and I think the second one is about the same. You can obviously hear that his voice has aged, and that's unavoidable. The second album is less Queensryche-y than the first, and a little bit more forward looking.

[Zoom E]

Re: biography update -- very pleased to say that my co-writers and I are in the homestretch with the actual writing. I think we're close to 90k words at this point. I wrapped up my last bit a week or so ago, so all that is left is filling a couple of small gaps based on some interviews we're doing in the next couple of weeks. We have an eye on (I think we actually did decide on it) a great cover shot from an Empire era photo shoot that hasn't really been circulated. And some ideas for the back cover, interior photos, etc., are in the works. It's going to look great (hopefully read great too - lol).

For those wondering, yes, the book will be available in print, and also as a downloadable .pdf, and there will be an Amazon Kindle version too. A limited number of hard covers will also be produced with some bonus stuff and will be available for purchase on the NW Metal Worx website (Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc., will all just have the standard paperback and e-versions). Without making any promises, we're fairly confident that the book will be out this fall as planned, with plenty of time before the holiday season. Pre-orders will be mid-to-late summer, and we have some cool marketing stuff via social media we'll do as we get into the spring and summer.

It will be worth the wait. We've all done some great interviews with people you wouldn't expect, and tried our best to make sure its the absolute definitive book on Queensryche. We've had a lot of fun with this and it will absolutely have things in it that you never knew about the band.

Oh, and I have a question. For those interested in the book, how important do you think it is to have a discography in the appendix? A few pages that feature information on each album, etc.? In your opinion, is that necessary, or is it just a waste of pages? We haven't decided whether to include one or not, and while this is obviously not a scientific poll, I thought I'd ask you all. I've noticed some band bios have discographies, and others do not. So let me know.

Thanks!

Really looking forward to the book, Brian. It’s about time the Ryche had a biography.

While a discography is a nice feature, I don't think it’s terribly important. Anyone reading the book probably knows the band’s discography by heart anyway. 

[devieira73]

I'll buy the amazon kindle version for sure!
I don't know, but I think it would be more interesting if the discography appears at the end of the book in a more interesting way, with the author(s) ranking them from the best to worst (it's not a biography, but like it appears at Dream Theater's On Track...).

[TAC]

Oh, and I have a question. For those interested in the book, how important do you think it is to have a discography in the appendix? A few pages that feature information on each album, etc.? In your opinion, is that necessary, or is it just a waste of pages? We haven't decided whether to include one or not, and while this is obviously not a scientific poll, I thought I'd ask you all. I've noticed some band bios have discographies, and others do not. So let me know.

Yeah what Zoom said about the discography. If it costs you money to print it, don't bother.

[jammindude]

I think it would be cool to have a discography.

[Phoenix87x]

Bridge is up there as one of my favorite QR songs.

My father wasn't there either and never had any desire to, so it hits very deep.

[WilliamMunny]

Speaking as someone who is planning to buy this—I LOVE 'Discography' sections, specifically, when there's a track-by-track/album-by-album commentary.

I forget which one (I have them all), but one of my KISS books has a song-by-song run-down at the end, complete with a little blurb cotaining comments from the band members...it's probably the only book I go back to, just for that reason.

[TAC]

Speaking as someone who is planning to buy this—I LOVE 'Discography' sections, specifically, when there's a track-by-track/album-by-album commentary.

I forget which one (I have them all), but one of my KISS books has a song-by-song run-down at the end, complete with a little blurb cotaining comments from the band members...it's probably the only book I go back to, just for that reason.

I agree. If it's just a list of albums, that's not a big deal if it's there or not.

If there's comments from the band or producer, well, that's different and would be great.

[goo-goo]

Speaking as someone who is planning to buy this—I LOVE 'Discography' sections, specifically, when there's a track-by-track/album-by-album commentary.

I forget which one (I have them all), but one of my KISS books has a song-by-song run-down at the end, complete with a little blurb cotaining comments from the band members...it's probably the only book I go back to, just for that reason.

I agree. If it's just a list of albums, that's not a big deal if it's there or not.

If there's comments from the band or producer, well, that's different and would be great.

Same thoughts. If it's just a list, then no biggie. But if it has extra commentary, producer notes, thoughts from the band, then I would go for it.

[bosk1]

Same.

EDIT:  And I fully expect to be able to get my copy autographed.

[Setlist Scotty]

Speaking as someone who is planning to buy this—I LOVE 'Discography' sections, specifically, when there's a track-by-track/album-by-album commentary.

I forget which one (I have them all), but one of my KISS books has a song-by-song run-down at the end, complete with a little blurb cotaining comments from the band members...it's probably the only book I go back to, just for that reason.

I agree. If it's just a list of albums, that's not a big deal if it's there or not.

If there's comments from the band or producer, well, that's different and would be great.

Same thoughts. If it's just a list, then no biggie. But if it has extra commentary, producer notes, thoughts from the band, then I would go for it.

Same for me, too.

[Samsara]

It has been three months since one of my closest friends, Jason Slater, passed. I miss our talks, laughs, and all of his stories. As a tribute to him, I wrote a huge feature article that tells all of those Queensryche-related anecdotes he shared with my wife Staci and I over the years.

Jason and I always talked about writing a book together about his adventures. We never got the chance, but today, on what would have been his 50th birthday, seems like a great day to share all those Queensryche stories. Some will make you shake your head, others will make you laugh. Rest in peace, Jason. All of your friends deeply love and miss you.

Remembering My Friend, Jason Slater -- https://anybodylistening.net/jasonslater.html

[kirksnosehair]

Sorry for your loss 

[Phoenix87x]

I really enjoyed what Slater brought to Mindcrime II

[NoseofNicko]

I really enjoyed what Slater brought to Mindcrime II

Me too. R.I.P.

[EPICVIEW]

I enjoyed OMCII   I dont lsiten to it often, but the show of OMC and OMCII together was a really enjoyable show

[WilliamMunny]

It has been three months since one of my closest friends, Jason Slater, passed. I miss our talks, laughs, and all of his stories. As a tribute to him, I wrote a huge feature article that tells all of those Queensryche-related anecdotes he shared with my wife Staci and I over the years.

Jason and I always talked about writing a book together about his adventures. We never got the chance, but today, on what would have been his 50th birthday, seems like a great day to share all those Queensryche stories. Some will make you shake your head, others will make you laugh. Rest in peace, Jason. All of your friends deeply love and miss you.

Remembering My Friend, Jason Slater -- https://anybodylistening.net/jasonslater.html

That was an intense, emotional, cathartic read. Thank you for sharing and sorry for your loss.

[Nick]

I enjoyed OMCII   I dont lsiten to it often, but the show of OMC and OMCII together was a really enjoyable show

Pretty much any show with OM is going to be at least enjoyable, that said, if you look at the tour before, that show has a hard time being seen as great.

Tour before you had a set of great material followed by one of the greatest concept albums of all time.

That tour you had one of the greatest concept albums of all time then followed by what was at BEST an ill conceived okay attempt at cashing in on that album. I still enjoyed that show, but compared to the previous tour it was downhill for sure.

[bosk1]

It has been three months since one of my closest friends, Jason Slater, passed. I miss our talks, laughs, and all of his stories. As a tribute to him, I wrote a huge feature article that tells all of those Queensryche-related anecdotes he shared with my wife Staci and I over the years.

Jason and I always talked about writing a book together about his adventures. We never got the chance, but today, on what would have been his 50th birthday, seems like a great day to share all those Queensryche stories. Some will make you shake your head, others will make you laugh. Rest in peace, Jason. All of your friends deeply love and miss you.

Remembering My Friend, Jason Slater -- https://anybodylistening.net/jasonslater.html

That was an intense, emotional, cathartic read. Thank you for sharing and sorry for your loss.

Indeed.  Brian, thanks for writing that all down, and thanks for sharing it. 

[EPICVIEW]

I enjoyed OMCII   I dont lsiten to it often, but the show of OMC and OMCII together was a really enjoyable show

Pretty much any show with OM is going to be at least enjoyable, that said, if you look at the tour before, that show has a hard time being seen as great.

Tour before you had a set of great material followed by one of the greatest concept albums of all time.

That tour you had one of the greatest concept albums of all time then followed by what was at BEST an ill conceived okay attempt at cashing in on that album. I still enjoyed that show, but compared to the previous tour it was downhill for sure.

Hi Nick   How are you my friend....
 
Yes I was at the tour before and all the tours,  I understand and agree,  It was odd for sure and a bit over acted , but I still enjoyed , I guess I had seen OMC I done since the medley onward in every form and tour of it, that I think we all were just sorta hungry to see the much fabled and by some " wanted" part II,  I personally was fine if they never made OMC II and it was always just OMC forever but for many reasons OMCII would happen for marketing and other options later down the road....  to my long winded point LOL , I / We enjoyed OMCII because the years of anticipation and you have to agree it was a great show and tate did get the audience going with the theatrics,  it was a great(  maybe a tad hokey lol  ) live show looking back  amazing to even say "looking back on OMC II "    time goes fast
Have a great night Nick!!

[Samsara]

Thanks to those of you who read it and commented. Appreciate it. Hopefully you got something out of the stories. Maybe a little history you didn't know.

[Setlist Scotty]

Definitely a good read - thanks for sharing those stories. Some of them were familiar, but there were some things I don't recall, so it was nice to read the whole thing.

Speak of QR-related things I've just read, I found this pretty interesting:
https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/geoff-tate-calls-his-queensryche-album-frequency-unknown-a-mess-and-not-a-very-satisfying-project/

Obviously Tater won't take all the blame for FU, but at least he's admitting that it was a mess.

[RodrigoAltaf]

Definitely a good read - thanks for sharing those stories. Some of them were familiar, but there were some things I don't recall, so it was nice to read the whole thing.

Speak of QR-related things I've just read, I found this pretty interesting:
https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/geoff-tate-calls-his-queensryche-album-frequency-unknown-a-mess-and-not-a-very-satisfying-project/

Obviously Tater won't take all the blame for FU, but at least he's admitting that it was a mess.

That was a funny interview, especially the part when the interviewer says he played guitar on the remix of Frequency Unknown, and Geoff was like "what?!?! They remixed that album? I didn't know that!!"

[wolfking]

I ended up ordering the TLT album.  Been spinning it a bit and I actually think it's fucking unreal.

[jammindude]

Definitely a good read - thanks for sharing those stories. Some of them were familiar, but there were some things I don't recall, so it was nice to read the whole thing.

Speak of QR-related things I've just read, I found this pretty interesting:
https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/geoff-tate-calls-his-queensryche-album-frequency-unknown-a-mess-and-not-a-very-satisfying-project/

Obviously Tater won't take all the blame for FU, but at least he's admitting that it was a mess.

Way to keep tabs on what's going on with your own artwork, Tater.... 

That was a funny interview, especially the part when the interviewer says he played guitar on the remix of Frequency Unknown, and Geoff was like "what?!?! They remixed that album? I didn't know that!!"

[cfmoran13]

Don't know how many people here are familiar with Dean Delray's "Let There Be Talk" podcast.  He's a Bay Area guy who was a musician in the 90's (friend of many popular musicians, many of which he's had on his show) and has been a comedian for the past 8-9 years.  Anyway, his latest episode is an hour-long interview with Geoff Tate.  A lot of times, Tate comes off as (in my opinion) a pretentious dick in his interviews.  However, for this one, he came off as, dare I say, charming.  He talks about his whole history with the band and touches upon his Sweet Oblivion project.  I'd recommend it to anyone who has ever been a fan of GT.

[EPICVIEW]

Don't know how many people here are familiar with Dean Delray's "Let There Be Talk" podcast.  He's a Bay Area guy who was a musician in the 90's (friend of many popular musicians, many of which he's had on his show) and has been a comedian for the past 8-9 years.  Anyway, his latest episode is an hour-long interview with Geoff Tate.  A lot of times, Tate comes off as (in my opinion) a pretentious dick in his interviews.  However, for this one, he came off as, dare I say, charming.  He talks about his whole history with the band and touches upon his Sweet Oblivion project.  I'd recommend it to anyone who has ever been a fan of GT.

Link Please?

[goo-goo]

I ended up ordering the TLT album.  Been spinning it a bit and I actually think it's fucking unreal.

Oh yes. There are some songs where I wasn't expecting that from this record. I also wasn't expecting the heavyness of the record. That is one massive guitar tone!
Been playing it constantly.

[kirksnosehair]

Oddly enough, it's the vocals that really bug me on this.  I like what he did with Queensryche but he's really very screechy on this album. 

[wolfking]

I ended up ordering the TLT album.  Been spinning it a bit and I actually think it's fucking unreal.

Oh yes. There are some songs where I wasn't expecting that from this record. I also wasn't expecting the heavyness of the record. That is one massive guitar tone!
Been playing it constantly.

Got a nice signed deluxe version with a sticker and guitar pick.  Nice little package and been spinning it too.  Fantastic heavy metal.

[devieira73]

At first I wasn't sure what to think about Rejoice... but now I'm really loving the album. At first, the variety of the TLT vocal performances (within the metal style) seemed to me a bit forced, but now I think it suits the songs and I'm very impressed. TLT is a very talended musician and songwritter, this album totally reaffirms that. My only tiny complaint is the sound of the drums that could be more organic, but they are Ok (and TLT drum performances are very good). Although the album is very homogenous, I would say Critical Cynic and Vexed are amazing!

[RodrigoAltaf]

I spoke with Geoff this afternoon, and I gotta say, I understand his persona a little bit more. He's not a douchebag as many of us tend to believe, but he does have his moments and is kind of tired with all the B.S. of the music business. I commented about the first single that the song is what his fans want: a nod to the old Queensryche sound, with a modern edge. He said "well, that's what a reviewer would say, but I just sit down and write songs". That was honest of him, but some people might think it's confrontational. Another moment was this:

Geoff, you mentioned that you were more involved in the songwriting process of the second Sweet Oblivion album. Can you tell me which songs you brought to the table?"

G.T.: "I can't remember".

Honestly, how do you respond that way about an album you're JUST about to release and promote? But I didn't get a sense that it comes from a place of not caring, he just didn't remember. We shared a few laughs during the interview, and spoke about recording at Le Studio and with Peter Collins, who had worked with Rush. You guys are going to enjoy this chat!

[EPICVIEW]

Oddly enough, it's the vocals that really bug me on this.  I like what he did with Queensryche but he's really very screechy on this album.

i can not stand Todds voice and delivery  and  his stage presence is even worse,  other than that hes good LOL  I cant put my finger on it, ive tried     

[EPICVIEW]

I spoke with Geoff this afternoon, and I gotta say, I understand his persona a little bit more. He's not a douchebag as many of us tend to believe, but he does have his moments and is kind of tired with all the B.S. of the music business. I commented about the first single that the song is what his fans want: a nod to the old Queensryche sound, with a modern edge. He said "well, that's what a reviewer would say, but I just sit down and write songs". That was honest of him, but some people might think it's confrontational. Another moment was this:

Geoff, you mentioned that you were more involved in the songwriting process of the second Sweet Oblivion album. Can you tell me which songs you brought to the table?"

G.T.: "I can't remember".

Honestly, how do you respond that way about an album you're JUST about to release and promote? But I didn't get a sense that it comes from a place of not caring, he just didn't remember. We shared a few laughs during the interview, and spoke about recording at Le Studio and with Peter Collins, who had worked with Rush. You guys are going to enjoy this chat!

very very cool Rod..... Geoff is an interesting guy for sure.. I think he was playing with you that hes getting old and cant remember. he has a quirky sense of humor that sometimes falls flat,,  Ive always enjoyed speaking with him as he can be very thoughtful and kind with his time.

[TAC]

I spoke with Geoff this afternoon, and I gotta say, I understand his persona a little bit more. He's not a douchebag as many of us tend to believe, but he does have his moments and is kind of tired with all the B.S. of the music business. I commented about the first single that the song is what his fans want: a nod to the old Queensryche sound, with a modern edge. He said "well, that's what a reviewer would say, but I just sit down and write songs". That was honest of him, but some people might think it's confrontational. Another moment was this:

Geoff, you mentioned that you were more involved in the songwriting process of the second Sweet Oblivion album. Can you tell me which songs you brought to the table?"

G.T.: "I can't remember".

Honestly, how do you respond that way about an album you're JUST about to release and promote? But I didn't get a sense that it comes from a place of not caring, he just didn't remember. We shared a few laughs during the interview, and spoke about recording at Le Studio and with Peter Collins, who had worked with Rush. You guys are going to enjoy this chat!

What were you expecting?

G.T.: "I remember now".