Official Queensryche thread: Kickstart the next album

[?]

The Verdict sold 8,100 copies in its first week - approximately 100 less than Dedicated to Chaos. 😬

Fan filmed video of "Eyes Of A Stranger" at the Worcester Palladium in MA this week, watch to see the surprise at the end.

https://youtu.be/JTfPw9aCMPU

What'd I miss? I watched the last couple minutes of the video and didn't see anything exceptionally different other than TLT on a small drum kit next to Casey's. Is that it?

Of course is that it. The lead singer doing a drum duet is definitively it. What else could it be? 

It seems they moved the drum duet from I Am I there, because I watched a recent clip of IAI and Todd no longer played during the new drum break in the middle.

[King Postwhore]

No he did that as well. Jammed with them on a few songs over the set.

[?]

No he did that as well. Jammed with them on a few songs over the set.

Oh cool, maybe I just happened to see the one video where he didn't do it

[Setzer]

The Verdict sold 8,100 copies in its first week - approximately 100 less than Dedicated to Chaos. 😬

No doubt Pledge Music screwing over everyone played a part in those low sales.

[goo-goo]

At what time does QR hit the stage? Trying to decide if I should stay overnight or not. Doors open at 7pm and show starts at 8pm (Fates Warning - 45 min). I'm pressuming QR starts at 915-930pm and plays for 70 mins (LOL)?

I'm mainly there for Fates but I've never seen the Todd fronted QR.

[Lowdz]

No he did that as well. Jammed with them on a few songs over the set.

Oh cool, maybe I just happened to see the one video where he didn't do it

Swiss band Gotthard used to do this, singer vs drummer.

[goo-goo]

Saw them last night in San Antonio. I think QR is stuck in a very tough situation. What I noticed was that people love the old songs. The new songs felt like a buzzkill for the crowd, including me. I like the Todd era but the songs live don’t really translate well. They don’t seem to be energetic or anthemic  like some of older songs. And the band feeds off this energy when playing. Parker and Ed seemed to be going with the flow with the new songs but wilth the older ones, their demeanor changed and were happy and interacting with the crowd. Light Years was even better live and probably it was the only song where I did hear the crowd getting into it.

[Ben_Jamin]

This will be my 3rd time seeing the LaTorre era. This time though at least they're not playing in a casino.

[King Postwhore]

Saw them last night in San Antonio. I think QR is stuck in a very tough situation. What I noticed was that people love the old songs. The new songs felt like a buzzkill for the crowd, including me. I like the Todd era but the songs live don’t really translate well. They don’t seem to be energetic or anthemic  like some of older songs. And the band feeds off this energy when playing. Parker and Ed seemed to be going with the flow with the new songs but wilth the older ones, their demeanor changed and were happy and interacting with the crowd. Light Years was even better live and probably it was the only song where I did hear the crowd getting into it.

This happens all the time to classic bands.

[Lethean]

I actually thought the new songs came off well when I saw them. I do think however, that it would be better for them not to play so many of them in a row. That would help keep the energy up I think.

[Lethean]

Oh, and of course - if they played a little bit longer, they could add another old song or two and another new one, mix it up, and everyone would be happy.

[pfillion]

Light-years (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

https://youtu.be/qqI4OfolPuo

[Setzer]

Earlier today I got an e-mail saying they're coming to Copenhagen in November.
Guess I'll finally catch them then 

[MoraWintersoul]

They're coming to Oslo with Firewind, another great choice. I'm glad they're surrounding themselves with excellence and bands that have published great albums in the past 2-3 years. Firewind was spotty for a bit and had a few clunkers, but their latest album is excellent and the balance of heaviness and melody in their music is right where Queensryche is aiming as well. Gonna be a great show.

[?]

After giving The Verdict more spins I think it's good, but Condition Human was stronger IMO. Light Years is one of QR's best songs from any era, Portrait reminds me of Spool and The Right Side of My Mind in a good way, and I also really like Inside Out, Bent and Dark Reverie (apart from the Casio orchestrations), as well as the proggier overall vibe. However, Inner Unrest is meh, Launder the Conscience feels like 2 songs glued together and Propaganda Fashion is the worst TLT-era song yet. Wilton talked about having only 2 or 3 complete songs when they started pre-production as opposed to CH, for which 95% of the songs were ready by that point, and while I wouldn't call The Verdict rushed like the s/t, I can hear the difference, because CH sounds more well-thought-out to me. To be fair though, the uncertain drummer situation didn't exactly help them, but they managed to put together a pretty good album nevertheless.

[bosk1]

Okay, so...I heard a bunch of songs from the new album, since they would often come up in various online playlists.  I liked what I heard, although I didn't listen very deeply.  Given all the bonus content on the "import" version, I was going to hold off on buying the new one until I could find a reasonably-priced version of that.  But I eventually gave up.  I'm sure I'll find it eventually, but I swear, Amazon and the like make it so difficult and convoluted trying to figure out what version of an album you are looking at and what the actual track listing is.  (see my thread on the topic)  So I finally figured that I should just get the standard edition for now until I can eventually get that figured out.  So I picked it up over the weekend.

I haven't had time to fully digest it at this point, obviously.  But my initial verdict on The Verdict is that it's a pretty solid effort.  All the developments in the band in recent years, from the band's stated mission of trying to mold their sound into simply a modernized, heavier version of their classic-era sound, Todd stepping up to be a primary writer along with Wilton and Jackson, Scott departing, and Parker kind of disconnecting from the band and music just a little bit, the overall sound of this album is a VERY logical progression from the previous two.  They continue to be on "thin ice" with me in terms of my fandom, for various reasons.  But the bottom line is, I like the music, so if they continue to put out music that I enjoy, I will continue to buy it.  This album is enjoyable.  As I familiarize myself more with the songs, maybe I can post more details about what I like and don't like.  But one thing that stood out to me that I'll mention now is that, as I was scanning the liner notes, I noticed more writing credits for Eddie and Parker than I would have expected, and I like that fact.

[Samsara]

Happy 33rd Birthday to Rage for Order! 

I wrote a blog on the record's three-tiered lyrical theme earlier this month. Check out it at: http://anybodylistening.net/ragefororder-threetiers.html.

If you care to subject yourself to more of my ramblings, the main blog page table of contents is here: http://anybodylistening.net/scream.html. In addition to RFO, recent additions include a review of Tate's Sweet Oblivion record, an examination of the song "Della Brown," and a look back at DeGarmo's short-lived Spys4Darwin "supergroup" and their sole EP.

Anyway, regarding RFO, it is such a great record. The songs are really incredible. I'm not quite a fan of the mix. But it could just be the era. Always hoped someone would do a 5.1 remix of the record, but it has never happened. I remember asking Neil Kernon once about it in 2006, and he said he'd love to do it if the opportunity ever came up. Wish that would have come to fruition. Rage would be jaw-dropping with a proper 5.1 (or whatever high fidelity number we're up to these days) mix.

[jjrock88]

Happy 33rd Birthday to Rage for Order! 

I wrote a blog on the record's three-tiered lyrical theme earlier this month. Check out it at: http://anybodylistening.net/ragefororder-threetiers.html.

If you care to subject yourself to more of my ramblings, the main blog page table of contents is here: http://anybodylistening.net/scream.html. In addition to RFO, recent additions include a review of Tate's Sweet Oblivion record, an examination of the song "Della Brown," and a look back at DeGarmo's short-lived Spys4Darwin "supergroup" and their sole EP.

Anyway, regarding RFO, it is such a great record. The songs are really incredible. I'm not quite a fan of the mix. But it could just be the era. Always hoped someone would do a 5.1 remix of the record, but it has never happened. I remember asking Neil Kernon once about it in 2006, and he said he'd love to do it if the opportunity ever came up. Wish that would have come to fruition. Rage would be jaw-dropping with a proper 5.1 (or whatever high fidelity number we're up to these days) mix.

Great write up 

The Whisper is such a cool tune 

[Samsara]

Well THIS is interesting...Chris DeGarmo apparently sold off the publishing rights to all of his songs from Mindcrime and Empire, plus the soundtrack songs Last Time in Paris and Real World. It happened last year.

I reported on it here - http://anybodylistening.net/degarmo-publishing.html

Great write up 

The Whisper is such a cool tune 

Thanks man! A credit to all the fellow old school fans who sat down and deciphered that record over the last 30 years. Some deep thinking. Good shit!

[ReaperKK]

So I know very little about the music industry but wouldn't it be worth holding on to those? Wouldn't he be getting a royalty check from the sales of those albums?

[Samsara]

So I know very little about the music industry but wouldn't it be worth holding on to those? Wouldn't he be getting a royalty check from the sales of those albums?

I am in the midst of writing up a blog talking about that, and adding in some business stuff and speculation that may have gone into his decision. I don't have access to Chris, so only he and his advisors know why he did it, but in a nutshell, he has been drawing royalties from it all. But you get to a point where you see the value not increasing, and if you are offered a sizeable amount to part with the rights, it can be a very good business move.

As I said in the news report, KK Downing's reasons were different, but he sold off his in Priest for a big sum. Downing no longer receives quarterly royalties from the sale of those 136 songs. But he was paid a big sum to part with those rights. This is essentially that, on what I imagine is a smaller sale. I'll post something more in detail on it tomorrow. Speculative, as always, but based on business stuff.

[ReaperKK]

Oh cool, makes sense if that's the case. I'll be interested in reading the blog post

[Samsara]

I wrote up a blog this morning that speculates on why Chris sold off those publishing rights, and what, if anything, it may mean for Queensryche and/or his involvement with them moving forward. Check it out here:

www.anybodylistening.net/scream.html (main blog site -- has all blogs listed)

www.anybodylistening.net/degarmo-publishingsale.html (direct link to blog)

[Lethean]

Happy 33rd Birthday to Rage for Order! 

I wrote a blog on the record's three-tiered lyrical theme earlier this month. Check out it at: http://anybodylistening.net/ragefororder-threetiers.html.

If you care to subject yourself to more of my ramblings, the main blog page table of contents is here: http://anybodylistening.net/scream.html. In addition to RFO, recent additions include a review of Tate's Sweet Oblivion record, an examination of the song "Della Brown," and a look back at DeGarmo's short-lived Spys4Darwin "supergroup" and their sole EP.

Anyway, regarding RFO, it is such a great record. The songs are really incredible. I'm not quite a fan of the mix. But it could just be the era. Always hoped someone would do a 5.1 remix of the record, but it has never happened. I remember asking Neil Kernon once about it in 2006, and he said he'd love to do it if the opportunity ever came up. Wish that would have come to fruition. Rage would be jaw-dropping with a proper 5.1 (or whatever high fidelity number we're up to these days) mix.

Speaking of RFO - when are one of the parties going to do a tour for *that* album?  I don't care if it's an anniversary or not; I'd love to see it.  Yes Empire will be more popular blah blah blah, and next year is indeed the anniversary, so fine.  But I would love for someone to do RFO (and I'd prefer it to be QR).  It's a short enough album that they'll still have plenty of time for Empire, Silent Lucidity, and Jet City Woman.

[goo-goo]

I wrote up a blog this morning that speculates on why Chris sold off those publishing rights, and what, if anything, it may mean for Queensryche and/or his involvement with them moving forward. Check it out here:

www.anybodylistening.net/scream.html (main blog site -- has all blogs listed)

www.anybodylistening.net/degarmo-publishingsale.html (direct link to blog)

Would it be possible that Chris could be "reuniting" with QR as a hired gun for a 30th Anniversary show for Empire? Hired gun would mean a steadier and fixed paycheck compared to just being compensated from publishing. Still think a reunion is a long shot as you mentioned in your other article about the window they have/had.  Very interesting read. Thanks for sharing.

[The Walrus]

Man... I'd love for my first QR show to be one focusing on RFO. That is my favorite album of theirs since getting into them. It's weird and memorable.

[KevShmev]

The more songs they play from Rage for Order, the better. 

[Samsara]

Speaking of RFO - when are one of the parties going to do a tour for *that* album?  I don't care if it's an anniversary or not; I'd love to see it.  Yes Empire will be more popular blah blah blah, and next year is indeed the anniversary, so fine.  But I would love for someone to do RFO (and I'd prefer it to be QR).  It's a short enough album that they'll still have plenty of time for Empire, Silent Lucidity, and Jet City Woman.

Back in 2016, I shook my head at how stupid it was that QR didn't take advantage of the Rage anniversary and do a show based on that record and at the time, their "new one" (Condition Human) that was a year old. I know QR (with Tate) played a Halloween show back in 2011 or 2010 at Irving Plaza in NYC that was Rage in its entirety. I didn't follow that era of the band closely, but if memory serves, fans were pissed because while they played the album, they did it out of sequence.

Overall, I don't think promoters will generally pay for a tour based solely around an anniversary of Rage for Order. It wasn't popular enough. Mindcrime and Empire are different. Those were/are the band's highest selling albums.

Would it be possible that Chris could be "reuniting" with QR as a hired gun for a 30th Anniversary show for Empire? Hired gun would mean a steadier and fixed paycheck compared to just being compensated from publishing. Still think a reunion is a long shot as you mentioned in your other article about the window they have/had.  Very interesting read. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks. Anything is possible of course. But he's shown no interest so far in doing that, and to be frank, while I don't know the guy, I think its telling that he's never performed with current Queensryche or Tate. Very smart move on his part.

I mean, if the original lineup were made a big offer to reunite, of course he'd probably consider it. But the publishing stuff doesn't really have anything to do with that. My point in mentioning any sort of reunion was to point out that if Chris had intended to reunite with QR, it would have, IMO, been better to wait to sell off the publishing to the songs from Empire and Mindcrime, because a reunion would give those songs a larger boost, and thereby give him a bit more leverage in whatever negotiations he held with Sony when coming to a financial figure for the sale (potentially, Chris could have gotten more than whatever he received). But it is a moot point now, because the sale is done, which, at least to me, could possibly be an indication that he's moved on from any sort of reunion possibility. But again, total speculation on my part. That was a mouthful.  Let me know if it didn't make sense. 

The more songs they play from Rage for Order, the better. 

Man... I'd love for my first QR show to be one focusing on RFO. That is my favorite album of theirs since getting into them. It's weird and memorable.

I got into QR with Rage and Mindcrime. i am pretty sure it was early 1988 when I got into them. It could have been summer 1987, but I don't remember. All I know is, the first time I heard Walk in the Shadows on my Walkman (kattelox, let me know if you don't know what that is, youngin - LOLOLOL. Joking), it was one of those jaw-drop moments. WHAT YOU SAY?!?!?! 

The rest, for me, is history. Been my favorite band ever since (the original lineup). What a ride. My favorites from Rage to this day are Screaming in Digital, Neue Regel, and Walk in the Shadows. I love all of them. My least favorite is Gonna Get Close to You. But it comes off really cool live. I remember at Tate's first solo show, at The Catwalk in Seattle (not sure that place still exists), he played it, and had a pair of fangs in his mouth as he sang it. It was really cool.

[bl5150]

I think Walk In The Shadows was the song that got me hooked too Brian - same sort of timeline 

[Samsara]

I think Walk In The Shadows was the songs that got me hooked too Brian - same sort of timeline 

 

Great minds...

[jammindude]

I remember when Queen of the Reich first got played on local rock station KZOK.   Totally blew my mind.   I loved the EP straight away (the timing was perfect, as they were coming out along side Judas Priest and Iron Maiden, and everyone was hailing them as the "next big thing") but like so many others, I was underwhelmed by The Warning.  It was pretty good, and had a few really great songs, but it wasn't the huge kick in the face we were all expecting after the EP.    Then I lost track for awhile, and got deep into thrash and "the big 4".   

But I remember hanging out at my cousin's house and we were lamenting the synths in the new Iron Maiden album we had just bought (Somewhere in Time) when I noticed that he had bought Rage for Order on cassette.   He mentioned that he thought it was OK and said I could borrow it.     I was luke warm on WitS at first because I hated anything that sounded remotely like a bid for radio airplay, so I was fairly dismissive of it (I love it now, but still consider it to be among the weaker tracks from the album).   But I Dream in Infrared tapped into the part of me that loved Pink Floyd and Rush and I started to become more interested.  By the time The Whisper came on, I knew that I was listening to something VERY special.    I got my own copy and wore it out.   

My ranking:

1. Neue Regal
2. Screaming in Digital
3. The Whisper
4. London
5. I Dream in Infrared
6. I Will Remember
7. Surgical Strike
8. The Killing Words
9. Gonna Get Close to You
10. Walk in the Shadows
11. Chemical Youth (We Are Rebellion)

But there are no bad songs here.

[TAC]

he played it, and had a pair of fangs in his mouth as he sang it. It was really cool.

That sounds anything but cool.


Sam, interesting read, as always. Didn't realize there were so many vampire connections. I feel like that almost undermines some of the other themes you mention.




Regarding QR, Like J-dude, I first heard the EP. The radio station in Providence had a DJ, Doug Fry, who started a Metal Hour at midnight on Saturday nights. I used to record all of the shows. This was the fall of 82/spring of 83. It was my freshman year of HS. It was here where I first heard QR, Metallica, Slayer. It may have been the single most influential things in my musical life.

I was full on QR when Warning came out. I loved Warning. Still do, and still consider it my favorite QR album. But when RFO came out. I didn't get it. Where's the metal?? WTF is with these outfits?

I think I liked Walk In The Shadows and Surgical Strike and that was pretty much it.

I had a ticket to see Ozzy/Metallica in April of '86. The show was cancelled and rescheduled for the following September. But with QR as the opening band. I had just started college, and since I didn't like The Ultimate Sin, OR RFO, I sold my ticket. I do regret that now.



BTW, Doug Fry was replaced on WHJY with Dr. Metal. Dr. Metal is actually thanked in the liner notes of WDADU, but was tragically killed in The Station fire in 2003.

[Samsara]

he played it, and had a pair of fangs in his mouth as he sang it. It was really cool.

That sounds anything but cool.


Sam, interesting read, as always. Didn't realize there were so many vampire connections. I feel like that almost undermines some of the other themes you mention.

Thanks. yeah, sounds weird, but it worked. I don't think the vampire references took away from Rage at all. Remember the popularity of that stuff at the time (and continuing to this day). Sure, less serious than the other topics, but it blended in with the darker vibe on the record.

[bosk1]

My point in mentioning any sort of reunion was to point out that if Chris had intended to reunite with QR, it would have, IMO, been better to wait to sell off the publishing to the songs from Empire and Mindcrime, because a reunion would give those songs a larger boost, and thereby give him a bit more leverage in whatever negotiations he held with Sony when coming to a financial figure for the sale (potentially, Chris could have gotten more than whatever he received). But it is a moot point now, because the sale is done, which, at least to me, could possibly be an indication that he's moved on from any sort of reunion possibility.

I don't completely disagree, and I obviously am also speculating, but here's a counter-point to consider:  Maybe CDG was looking to get out from under those falling publishing numbers anyway, but Sony couldn't or wouldn't offer him enough to make it worthwhile.  But if Chris were to promise a reunion tour, that would provide a potential bump in income from those publishing rights, and perhaps would have given Sony incentive to offer just a bit more that would have put the offer into the "sweet spot" you mentioned to where it is worth it for both parties to do the deal.

[Samsara]

So your counterpoint is to suggest a reunion tour is in the works?

I find that highly unlikely, but you never know.