I wouldn't call it smoke and mirrors, it's just being evasive. As to why it's happening I have no clue. I'd prefer to give them the benefit of the doubt that it's some weird legal issue they're trying to work around. I mean, if they're trying to mollify the fanbase that all is well behind the scenes then they've managed to get it hopelessly wrong so I've got to assume it's more complicated than "yes, he's left the band but we want to pretend he hasn't lest people think we're not really QR anymore".
It wouldn't be the first QR record where Rockenfield's drumming wasn't present. Mindrime II definitely wasn't, albeit a few of the tracks may have been programmed based on his arrangements, and I'm not convinced about American Soldier (though I find that such a chore to listen to that's only a half formed opinion that may be a result of the mix rather than the arrangements).
Yeah, I guess "evasive" is a better description for the current stuff with Rockenfield. But regardless, they aren't being forthcoming because they are worried about Rockenfield not being on the album, and what that will do to fan reception on the new record.
You're right, Mindcrime II didn't have Scott drumming. It WAS his arrangements (for the most part). Here's how that went down, according to Jason Slater - Scott recorded drums in his (Rockenfield's) home studio, and when Jason got the tracks, they were basically unusable. So Jason, bit by bit, reconstructed Scott's parts on midi, and then called in a drummer friend of his (I forget his name) to play some stuff he couldn't program. That's how MC II went down. But NO ONE knew that until way after the fact, and at that time, Tate was still in the band.
Now we're looking at a Tate-less band, and now the prospect of not having Scott on the record at all, leaving two original members, and yeah, the band is likely worried about how that will impact fan reception and the first week chart numbers of the record. Rightly so, they should be concerned, because that first week is always huge, and a poor week might mean they get dropped.
Re: American Soldier -- that was Scott, completely. No midi or fill-in drummers. I've asked both Jason and Scott, multiple times myself. That's all Scott.
Going back to the Rockenfield discussion of what is going on now, what I heard, and I've said this before, is that he took a hiatus for his son for a few months, and then reconnected with Tate when Tate wrote something in support of Scott while Scott was going through a divorce last year. That led to Scott doing behind the scenes stuff with Tate (what, I'm not sure), and Rockenfield kept staying away from QR (he did this in the past, staying away from the band, for a long period in late 2013, if I remember right). Whether all this will result in Scott gigging with Tate, I don't know. I don't think Tate can afford to bring Rockenfield out on the road, which is why it didn't happen. What I do know is, is that Rockenfield got very pissed when he found out QR recorded a record without him, and rumor had it he was going out of his way to prevent it from coming out (which I assume is why the record's release date was pushed from this fall, to early next year, despite what the band has said publicly). There's some other stuff that went on too that's not necessary to add, but you get the point -- shit has gone down.
But, QR has just released that minute sample of the new record to its pledge people, and so new music IS on its way from the La Torre-fronted QR. But they are still being "evasive" when it comes to the drummer, most likely because the above situation has not been resolved, and there likely are some legalities associated with that.
My complete guess is, the band and Scott are at odds regarding him leaving, money owed, and trying to restructure in such a way that they can continue on and not lose face, and avoid paying Scott a huge settlement (because they still owe Tate too, which I know for a fact). And that could ultimately end up that to make it so everyone gets paid, QR with Tate, Rockenfield, Eddie, and Michael reunited, so that all this "settlement payout" is done with, and "Queensryche" with the four remaining original members can maximize the little time they have left to make decent cash before calling it a day. Again, that is all speculation.
But that's what I think. Take from it what you want, believe it or not. But that's what I know, and what I believe based on what I know, and the personalities involved.
Topic: Official Queensryche thread: Kickstart the next album (Read 692392 times)
