Official Queensryche thread: Kickstart the next album

[EPICVIEW]

I dont  want anymore Tate or QR CDs,  I truly think they are both finished,  these are bands that have stayed too long and it diluting the memory of the band   I think Chris was smart and Chris was the brain and talent and even he knew it was time to exit ( 23 years ago!!!! ).  Both camps are strictly trying to pay bill and thats not conducive to making good quality music that is artistic or memorable.  I think all parties involved would be embraced more ( maybe?) by not using the QR name .  Tate doesnt need the name and should do his solo thing and the rest of them should start new and do this "yuck metal" thing  free of a QR caparison .  Let QR Be

[The Walrus]

If you don't want anymore from them, then don't buy them and don't acknowledge them... but if they want to go on, let QR be, indeed.

There are some bands that were my musical bread and butter when I was younger, and nowadays are doing things that just leave me cold and sometimes even upset at how far they've fallen from where they used to be - Dragonforce, Sonata Arctica, some others come to mind - and I even share the opinion that, in some cases, I wish they'd just hang it up and stop. But there's a reason I'm simply just a fan who likes to share his opinions with others. I recognize that's all it is in the end, just another opinion. I may not buy their physical records anymore but they're still going strong and kudos to 'em.

And to the extent that's relevant to Queensryche... I dig the new sound and applaud them for sounding like they still have a fire under their ass.

[bosk1]

I dont  want anymore Tate or QR CDs

For my own personal collection, I don't want any more Tate CDs.  But that said, I hope he keeps doing what he is doing, because there is clearly a sizeable fan base that appreciates what he is putting out.  For me, I just won't bother listening to it.  But it's cool that he is still out there for those that do care.

For Queensryche, I hope they still keep putting out music as well.  The first two Todd albums had elements that were a bit disappointing, but were albums I greatly enjoyed overall.  The Verdict was pretty disappointing and not something I find myself listening to.  But they've proven that they can write music I am interested in, so I will still follow, confident that I can likely find at least a few songs per album that I will like.

[EPICVIEW]

If you don't want anymore from them, then don't buy them and don't acknowledge them... but if they want to go on, let QR be, indeed.

There are some bands that were my musical bread and butter when I was younger, and nowadays are doing things that just leave me cold and sometimes even upset at how far they've fallen from where they used to be - Dragonforce, Sonata Arctica, some others come to mind - and I even share the opinion that, in some cases, I wish they'd just hang it up and stop. But there's a reason I'm simply just a fan who likes to share his opinions with others. I recognize that's all it is in the end, just another opinion. I may not buy their physical records anymore but they're still going strong and kudos to 'em.

And to the extent that's relevant to Queensryche... I dig the new sound and applaud them for sounding like they still have a fire under their ass.

again may I ask how old you are? they are coming up on 40 years ,,,  thats insane. and at some point a new album just is a reason to tour but with this band the fans seem to only want the first 5 albums so why bother? they dont make money on album sales and they are not a mega band like Maiden ,Judas, VH, Black Sab etc   I dont even think those bands fans care for a new CD ,  granted I thought JPs Firepower was amazing but they dont need the money and somehow still make great music,   at this point we all know QR is Latorre  SOLO  and Tate is Tate SOLO with other writers so why bother?

[The Walrus]

If you don't want anymore from them, then don't buy them and don't acknowledge them... but if they want to go on, let QR be, indeed.

There are some bands that were my musical bread and butter when I was younger, and nowadays are doing things that just leave me cold and sometimes even upset at how far they've fallen from where they used to be - Dragonforce, Sonata Arctica, some others come to mind - and I even share the opinion that, in some cases, I wish they'd just hang it up and stop. But there's a reason I'm simply just a fan who likes to share his opinions with others. I recognize that's all it is in the end, just another opinion. I may not buy their physical records anymore but they're still going strong and kudos to 'em.

And to the extent that's relevant to Queensryche... I dig the new sound and applaud them for sounding like they still have a fire under their ass.

again may I ask how old you are? they are coming up on 40 years ,,,  thats insane. and at some point a new album just is a reason to tour but with this band the fans seem to only want the first 5 albums so why bother? they dont make money on album sales and they are not a mega band like Maiden ,Judas, VH, Black Sab etc   I dont even think those bands fans care for a new CD ,  granted I thought JPs Firepower was amazing but they dont need the money and somehow still make great music,   at this point we all know QR is Latorre  SOLO  and Tate is Tate SOLO with other writers so why bother?

What does my age have to do with anything?

I'm just saying this: you don't have to buy or acknowledge the new stuff, that's your call and that's fine, but you don't have to act like everyone needs to agree with you. I like new QR and I thought Geoff Tate was great when I saw him sing with Avantasia last year. I don't have nearly as much emotional investment in the group as you do, but my take on the matter is just as valid as yours.

[EPICVIEW]

I dont  want anymore Tate or QR CDs

For my own personal collection, I don't want any more Tate CDs.  But that said, I hope he keeps doing what he is doing, because there is clearly a sizeable fan base that appreciates what he is putting out.  For me, I just won't bother listening to it.  But it's cool that he is still out there for those that do care.

For Queensryche, I hope they still keep putting out music as well.  The first two Todd albums had elements that were a bit disappointing, but were albums I greatly enjoyed overall.  The Verdict was pretty disappointing and not something I find myself listening to.  But they've proven that they can write music I am interested in, so I will still follow, confident that I can likely find at least a few songs per album that I will like.

I tend to agree  Im sure there a few "nuggets" for each rabid fan on each camps releases , but to me its still not needed  ,even Chris was getting hammered at the end for HITNF and "going soft"  but that was what he was feeling and into artistically at the time and even today and the fans didnt allow him that freedom which to me was terrible, that to me was REAL QR   Today QR is just crud metal and not very good at crud metal and it leaves me cold

[Grappler]

again may I ask how old you are? they are coming up on 40 years ,,,  thats insane. and at some point a new album just is a reason to tour but with this band the fans seem to only want the first 5 albums so why bother? they dont make money on album sales and they are not a mega band like Maiden ,Judas, VH, Black Sab etc   I dont even think those bands fans care for a new CD ,  granted I thought JPs Firepower was amazing but they dont need the money and somehow still make great music,   at this point we all know QR is Latorre  SOLO  and Tate is Tate SOLO with other writers so why bother?

Actually, I believe this to be incorrect.  The fans have been asking the band to play more of the recent material from the three albums with Todd.  In 2019, the band made a big deal about the fact that they'd change the setlist to accommodate the new album.  They played four songs from the The Verdict, and one each from Condition Human and the S/T (six total newer songs - the most they've ever put into a set from Todd's era).

Throughout 2019, the band dropped two of those newer songs and replaced them with songs from Mindcrime.  Sometimes they only feature 3 songs from Todd's era instead of 4.

If I were Parker and Todd, I'd be fighting tooth and nail to have more of the newer songs included from the albums that they played on and wrote.  I think Wilton (he seemed to be the one driving the desire for the original 2012 History setlist) is the one pushing the classic material to be the focus of the setlist.  Not the fans.  Though when all the band does is play shows with Vince Neil, Sebastian Bach, and some version of Great White, I can see why they're focusing on the nostalgia-laden set.

This has been my primary obstacle in enjoying the band's recent work.  Yeah, they're great songs, but why even bother putting them out if you're not going to play them?  I've seen them 10 times...I don't need to see certain songs played live yet again.  I'd prefer to spend my money seeing a band that's going to give me something different, instead of the same show year after year.

[EPICVIEW]

again may I ask how old you are? they are coming up on 40 years ,,,  thats insane. and at some point a new album just is a reason to tour but with this band the fans seem to only want the first 5 albums so why bother? they dont make money on album sales and they are not a mega band like Maiden ,Judas, VH, Black Sab etc   I dont even think those bands fans care for a new CD ,  granted I thought JPs Firepower was amazing but they dont need the money and somehow still make great music,   at this point we all know QR is Latorre  SOLO  and Tate is Tate SOLO with other writers so why bother?

Actually, I believe this to be incorrect.  The fans have been asking the band to play more of the recent material from the three albums with Todd.  In 2019, the band made a big deal about the fact that they'd change the setlist to accommodate the new album.  They played four songs from the The Verdict, and one each from Condition Human and the S/T (six total newer songs - the most they've ever put into a set from Todd's era).

Throughout 2019, the band dropped two of those newer songs and replaced them with songs from Mindcrime.  Sometimes they only feature 3 songs from Todd's era instead of 4.

If I were Parker and Todd, I'd be fighting tooth and nail to have more of the newer songs included from the albums that they played on and wrote.  I think Wilton (he seemed to be the one driving the desire for the original 2012 History setlist) is the one pushing the classic material to be the focus of the setlist.  Not the fans.  Though when all the band does is play shows with Vince Neil, Sebastian Bach, and some version of Great White, I can see why they're focusing on the nostalgia-laden set.

This has been my primary obstacle in enjoying the band's recent work.  Yeah, they're great songs, but why even bother putting them out if you're not going to play them?  I've seen them 10 times...I don't need to see certain songs played live yet again.  I'd prefer to spend my money seeing a band that's going to give me something different, instead of the same show year after year.

I dint know this band even had "fans" LOL   he old fan base has eroded and nobody I know even cares anymore.  Im a big music guy so I dabble in caring but nobody I know would want to see them nor even know they have a new CD or even that they exist anymore sadly.  like I said I like the "drama" LOL  the music is secondary LOL

[MoraWintersoul]

If I were Parker and Todd, I'd be fighting tooth and nail to have more of the newer songs included from the albums that they played on and wrote.  I think Wilton (he seemed to be the one driving the desire for the original 2012 History setlist) is the one pushing the classic material to be the focus of the setlist.  Not the fans.  Though when all the band does is play shows with Vince Neil, Sebastian Bach, and some version of Great White, I can see why they're focusing on the nostalgia-laden set.

This has been my primary obstacle in enjoying the band's recent work.  Yeah, they're great songs, but why even bother putting them out if you're not going to play them?  I've seen them 10 times...I don't need to see certain songs played live yet again.  I'd prefer to spend my money seeing a band that's going to give me something different, instead of the same show year after year.

I always thought that, if they're gonna play the nostalgia set, they should at least switch up the eras/songs on their headlining tours. Playing a greatest hits set is fine if you're playing an 80's festival. For the rest, why not hype up a setlist full of RFO, Warning, etc stuff and play that for one run, then switch up for another... ?

I dint know this band even had "fans" LOL   he old fan base has eroded and nobody I know even cares anymore.  Im a big music guy so I dabble in caring but nobody I know would want to see them nor even know they have a new CD or even that they exist anymore sadly.  like I said I like the "drama" LOL  the music is secondary LOL

You're reading a thread full of "fans", I hope that should suspend your disbelief.

[Samsara]

If I may add -- the band has been pleaded with since 2013 to play more of the TLT era material. The problem is, its not the fans online who talk about them that make up the majority of the audience. The majority of their audience wants old material. It's just how it is.

I remember conversations about this early on. They are immensely proud of their new material. But whenever they play it, the energy isn't there from the crowd like it is for Queen of the Reich, Empire, etc. It's the makeup of the audience and what they seem to want to hear that makes doing a setlist really tough.

When they dropped the self-titled 2013 album, I recall pleading with them to just go out and ram the new material down peoples' throats. That record is like 39 minutes. Play that, and another 45 minutes of old classic stuff. Just make people want it. They never did that. I still think that was a mistake. If they just toured relentlessly, on a bus, in the clubs, and just kept hammering, it would have worked. But they aren't 20. They are 50+. So I get it. So the audiences they play to (fly in dates to casinos, short headline tours, and festivals) just aren't there to see the new stuff. They want the classics. So they do the old stuff.



To current QR's credit, they were trying to play more new stuff at the beginning of their headline runs. But if you look at their setlist on setlist.fm from Dec. 15, 2019 (a local Washington State casino gig), it tells the story: 17 songs. Only three from The Verdict, one from Condition Human, and ZERO from self-titled. The other 13 tunes are from EP-PL.

So as I said, I GET IT. They are trying to keep the energy up and still get the new tunes in. But the majority of the audiences they play for aren't hardcores. They are fans who just want the classics done. So QR tries to give them what they want, and keep themselves happy with a bit of the modern stuff. For me personally though, even though as "Queensryche" the current band isn't my thing, I'd love to see them do a 17 song set where 10 of the songs are from their modern TLT-era material, and they kept the nostalgia to the seven classics they know they have to play. The new material is good. It needs to be supported. But they are in a tough spot having to go on stage night after night, and watching people take piss breaks the moment they play something new. It has to be frustrating.

[EPICVIEW]

If I were Parker and Todd, I'd be fighting tooth and nail to have more of the newer songs included from the albums that they played on and wrote.  I think Wilton (he seemed to be the one driving the desire for the original 2012 History setlist) is the one pushing the classic material to be the focus of the setlist.  Not the fans.  Though when all the band does is play shows with Vince Neil, Sebastian Bach, and some version of Great White, I can see why they're focusing on the nostalgia-laden set.

This has been my primary obstacle in enjoying the band's recent work.  Yeah, they're great songs, but why even bother putting them out if you're not going to play them?  I've seen them 10 times...I don't need to see certain songs played live yet again.  I'd prefer to spend my money seeing a band that's going to give me something different, instead of the same show year after year.

I always thought that, if they're gonna play the nostalgia set, they should at least switch up the eras/songs on their headlining tours. Playing a greatest hits set is fine if you're playing an 80's festival. For the rest, why not hype up a setlist full of RFO, Warning, etc stuff and play that for one run, then switch up for another... ?

I dint know this band even had "fans" LOL   he old fan base has eroded and nobody I know even cares anymore.  Im a big music guy so I dabble in caring but nobody I know would want to see them nor even know they have a new CD or even that they exist anymore sadly.  like I said I like the "drama" LOL  the music is secondary LOL

You're reading a thread full of "fans", I hope that should suspend your disbelief.

casual fans ,... I dont count everybody commenting as a hardcore "Ill go stand and see them and pay for tickets" type.  I gotta say I wont do that for many bands anymore  I just dont have the time or "fan " in me

[cramx3]

When I joined the thread yesterday, asking what about the set, I was kind of surprised they are only playing 3 new songs.  It seemed from reading here that the new album was well received.  For someone like me, wouldn't they want people to be introduced to the new songs? 

For an example, Whitesnake had a new album and played 5 of the new songs for their headline set I saw last year.  Most people didn't even review those songs very positively compared to what I've read about The Verdict.  Yet, I feel like, that's what you should do.  Play your newest stuff on tour supporting it.  I've got to imagine someone hears those tunes and goes and buys the album after. 

I get playing the hits too, there's plenty of set time to play hits or even rotate them.

I love how Iron Maiden has been rotating the second level hit songs and making room for 5 new songs on each album tour but they have their staples as well.

[EPICVIEW]

If I may add -- the band has been pleaded with since 2013 to play more of the TLT era material. The problem is, its not the fans online who talk about them that make up the majority of the audience. The majority of their audience wants old material. It's just how it is.

I remember conversations about this early on. They are immensely proud of their new material. But whenever they play it, the energy isn't there from the crowd like it is for Queen of the Reich, Empire, etc. It's the makeup of the audience and what they seem to want to hear that makes doing a setlist really tough.

When they dropped the self-titled 2013 album, I recall pleading with them to just go out and ram the new material down peoples' throats. That record is like 39 minutes. Play that, and another 45 minutes of old classic stuff. Just make people want it. They never did that. I still think that was a mistake. If they just toured relentlessly, on a bus, in the clubs, and just kept hammering, it would have worked. But they aren't 20. They are 50+. So I get it. So the audiences they play to (fly in dates to casinos, short headline tours, and festivals) just aren't there to see the new stuff. They want the classics. So they do the old stuff.



To current QR's credit, they were trying to play more new stuff at the beginning of their headline runs. But if you look at their setlist on setlist.fm from Dec. 15, 2019 (a local Washington State casino gig), it tells the story: 17 songs. Only three from The Verdict, one from Condition Human, and ZERO from self-titled. The other 13 tunes are from EP-PL.

So as I said, I GET IT. They are trying to keep the energy up and still get the new tunes in. But the majority of the audiences they play for aren't hardcores. They are fans who just want the classics done. So QR tries to give them what they want, and keep themselves happy with a bit of the modern stuff. For me personally though, even though as "Queensryche" the current band isn't my thing, I'd love to see them do a 17 song set where 10 of the songs are from their modern TLT-era material, and they kept the nostalgia to the seven classics they know they have to play. The new material is good. It needs to be supported. But they are in a tough spot having to go on stage night after night, and watching people take piss breaks the moment they play something new. It has to be frustrating.

I agree ,,, its a dead end,   the only pay day would be a 2 year run with Tate and Scott and end it, for me I dont even care if they did Id probably not go as Ill keep my memories intact

[Samsara]

When I joined the thread yesterday, asking what about the set, I was kind of surprised they are only playing 3 new songs.  It seemed from reading here that the new album was well received.  For someone like me, wouldn't they want people to be introduced to the new songs? 

For an example, Whitesnake had a new album and played 5 of the new songs for their headline set I saw last year.  Most people didn't even review those songs very positively compared to what I've read about The Verdict.  Yet, I feel like, that's what you should do.  Play your newest stuff on tour supporting it.  I've got to imagine someone hears those tunes and goes and buys the album after. 

I get playing the hits too, there's plenty of set time to play hits or even rotate them.

I love how Iron Maiden has been rotating the second level hit songs and making room for 5 new songs on each album tour but they have their staples as well.

Cram, I hear ya. You're like me -- if I was seeing them, I'd want to hear their latest stuff. The only way to get new fans is to go out and play that music and slug it out.

But that's not what they do, and what I said above was trying to illustrate why I think they don't. Trust me, for their music's sake, I wish they would just play their new material and rotate some hits. But proof is in the setlists. They just don't really rotate anything, and they just focus on what they know how to play easily.

Call that whatever description you want, but that's them, sadly, right now. I get it to a degree (as stated above), but if I were still a dedicated fan of this lineup of the band, I'd be pissed.

p.s. Cram -- they are starting a new headline tour, so if that is what you are attending (with John5 opening), I did read on social media that they are changing the setlist up, and getting more new stuff in. So hopefully they have done that, so you get more!

[Setzer]

like I said I like the "drama" LOL  the music is secondary LOL

The only drama right now is the one you keep making in this thread

You're reading a thread full of "fans", I hope that should suspend your disbelief.

casual fans ,... I dont count everybody commenting as a hardcore "Ill go stand and see them and pay for tickets" type.  I gotta say I wont do that for many bands anymore  I just dont have the time or "fan " in me

Sorry we can't all be cool kids that have known the band since 1982 like you

[bosk1]

When I joined the thread yesterday, asking what about the set, I was kind of surprised they are only playing 3 new songs.  It seemed from reading here that the new album was well received.  For someone like me, wouldn't they want people to be introduced to the new songs? 

For an example, Whitesnake had a new album and played 5 of the new songs for their headline set I saw last year.  Most people didn't even review those songs very positively compared to what I've read about The Verdict.  Yet, I feel like, that's what you should do.  Play your newest stuff on tour supporting it.  I've got to imagine someone hears those tunes and goes and buys the album after. 

I get playing the hits too, there's plenty of set time to play hits or even rotate them.

I love how Iron Maiden has been rotating the second level hit songs and making room for 5 new songs on each album tour but they have their staples as well.

Cram, I hear ya. You're like me -- if I was seeing them, I'd want to hear their latest stuff. The only way to get new fans is to go out and play that music and slug it out.

But that's not what they do, and what I said above was trying to illustrate why I think they don't. Trust me, for their music's sake, I wish they would just play their new material and rotate some hits. But proof is in the setlists. They just don't really rotate anything, and they just focus on what they know how to play easily.

Call that whatever description you want, but that's them, sadly, right now. I get it to a degree (as stated above), but if I were still a dedicated fan of this lineup of the band, I'd be pissed.

p.s. Cram -- they are starting a new headline tour, so if that is what you are attending (with John5 opening), I did read on social media that they are changing the setlist up, and getting more new stuff in. So hopefully they have done that, so you get more!

It's a dilemma for sure.  If they don't play more new stuff, they lose some of the hardcores that still actively follow and like the new stuff.  But if they don't play more of the classics, they lose the casual fans that mostly or only know the old stuff.  And there are far more of the latter than the former, so that's the direction they go with.  I tend to think there IS a sweet spot in the middle where they keep the lion's share of both.  But it takes a lot more touring and effort than they are willing to put in at their ages, which you alluded to, and I get why they don't do it even though it is probably in their best interest to do that.

[Samsara]

Cram,

THey just released a lyric video for "Inner Unrest," one of the better ones from The Verdict.

https://youtu.be/tSnXabEh7Xg

So it's a sure bet they will probably play that one. If I were you, I'd pick up The Verdict for sure. I mean, even if they just do four songs, that's still 25 percent of the set.

[cramx3]

Yea, I actually meant to share that which I saw.  Some of the new stuff I listened to earlier today was solid.  And yes, I'm going to the new tour with John 5 (another reason why i scooped up the ticket) so I'll have to see

[wolfking]

I really loved the self titled and CH but The Verdict left me cold.  I may have to revisit it.  Might listen to all 3 albums actually. 

[wolfking]

The Verdict is a lot nicer than I remembered when it came out.  Bent is a wonderful song.

[TAC]

The Verdict is excellent.

[Peter Mc]

Just a quick message for Samsara and Queensrÿche playing with Judas Priest. I think we’re talking about 2 different tours.  Priest did a headline tour in the UK in 2011 with Queensrÿche and Rival Sons as the two support acts. That’s the show I’m referring to and I think it was in support of the DTC album.  They were just awful, not just Tate, the whole show was bad and I swore then that I was done with them.  It’s also when I decided not to see Priest anymore too as they were also not the same without the chemistry of the KK Downing/Tipton guitar duo. Much better than QR obviously but Tipton and Downing were such an awesome partnership and it didn’t sound anywhere near as good without them.  I do really like their last album though!

TLT coming in and a return to the classic material got me out to see QR again and it was much better but, despite the amazing vocal performance the band still lacked a bit of spark for me, it was all a bit lowkey. 

Like I said I would probably see them again if they were playing locally but wouldn’t shell out serious money unless you were getting to see the original lineup playing the classic material.  Sad to say as I’m not generally a nostalgia act guy but I never got to see them in that lineup as I got into the band after PL and was so disheartened by HITNF that I didn’t go to see them.  My first show was the Q2K tour which was ok but nothing incredible, Kelly was not a good fit on stage.

[wolfking]

The Verdict is excellent.

Much better than I remembered.

[Samsara]

Just a quick message for Samsara and Queensrÿche playing with Judas Priest. I think we’re talking about 2 different tours.  Priest did a headline tour in the UK in 2011 with Queensrÿche and Rival Sons as the two support acts. That’s the show I’m referring to and I think it was in support of the DTC album.  They were just awful, not just Tate, the whole show was bad and I swore then that I was done with them.  It’s also when I decided not to see Priest anymore too as they were also not the same without the chemistry of the KK Downing/Tipton guitar duo. Much better than QR obviously but Tipton and Downing were such an awesome partnership and it didn’t sound anywhere near as good without them.  I do really like their last album though!

We are! Yep, I was thinking about six years prior to that. Sorry for the confusion. I forgot they toured with Priest after that killer 2005 tour.  

[Kwyjibo]

The Verdict is excellent.

Indeed it is.

[Mladen]

I wasn't too crazy about The Verdict, it seemed average in comparison to Condition Human. Maybe I should give it another listen.

[Kwyjibo]

I instantly liked Condition Human, and I still like it, but don't find it as good as when I first heard it. The Verdict is the other way round, I was lukewarm when I first heard it but it got better with every listen, this record was a mighty grower. Easily my favorite out of the three TLT QR records.

[EPICVIEW]

When I joined the thread yesterday, asking what about the set, I was kind of surprised they are only playing 3 new songs.  It seemed from reading here that the new album was well received.  For someone like me, wouldn't they want people to be introduced to the new songs? 

For an example, Whitesnake had a new album and played 5 of the new songs for their headline set I saw last year.  Most people didn't even review those songs very positively compared to what I've read about The Verdict.  Yet, I feel like, that's what you should do.  Play your newest stuff on tour supporting it.  I've got to imagine someone hears those tunes and goes and buys the album after. 

I get playing the hits too, there's plenty of set time to play hits or even rotate them.

I love how Iron Maiden has been rotating the second level hit songs and making room for 5 new songs on each album tour but they have their staples as well.

Cram, I hear ya. You're like me -- if I was seeing them, I'd want to hear their latest stuff. The only way to get new fans is to go out and play that music and slug it out.

But that's not what they do, and what I said above was trying to illustrate why I think they don't. Trust me, for their music's sake, I wish they would just play their new material and rotate some hits. But proof is in the setlists. They just don't really rotate anything, and they just focus on what they know how to play easily.

Call that whatever description you want, but that's them, sadly, right now. I get it to a degree (as stated above), but if I were still a dedicated fan of this lineup of the band, I'd be pissed.

p.s. Cram -- they are starting a new headline tour, so if that is what you are attending (with John5 opening), I did read on social media that they are changing the setlist up, and getting more new stuff in. So hopefully they have done that, so you get more!

John 5 is a BEAST.   Hes gonna blow them off the stage, how is he an "opener"?  Hes got mega mega talent..

[ProfessorPeart]

John 5 is a BEAST.   Hes gonna blow them off the stage

Have to agree with this sentiment. I have been to a John 5 headline show. It is something to behold. His playing is otherworldly. I have all of his solo albums and his ability is just crazy.

[EPICVIEW]

John 5 is a BEAST.   Hes gonna blow them off the stage

Have to agree with this sentiment. I have been to a John 5 headline show. It is something to behold. His playing is otherworldly. I have all of his solo albums and his ability is just crazy.

agreed ,  to me IMO this was a real mistake of a pairing, as Wilton is so limited, Parker is better than Wilton and neither are real respected musicians like John 5 is , John 5 is a savant

[robbob]

Yeah, definitely a bad pairing. John 5 is amazing. Nothing against Queensryche.

This may be out of left field here, I have always wondered why Casey Grillo decided to leave Kamelot, thought it was to get away from touring and to focus on his business. But, then he goes ahead and tours with Queensryche. The drumming with Queensryche is less taxing on his body then Kamelot, but still odd.

[Grappler]

Yeah, definitely a bad pairing. John 5 is amazing. Nothing against Queensryche.

This may be out of left field here, I have always wondered why Casey Grillo decided to leave Kamelot, thought it was to get away from touring and to focus on his business. But, then he goes ahead and tours with Queensryche. The drumming with Queensryche is less taxing on his body then Kamelot, but still odd.

Kamelot tours in a more traditional manner, spending a TON of time on the road overall.  QR may do a 30 day run in a bus twice a year (when headlining, and maybe a European run or a month of festivals every few years), but then they just fly in and out of festival or casino shows 2-3 days a week for the rest of the time. 

At the time he joined QR, they were pretty much doing only fly-in gigs and hadn't yet recorded or released the Verdict, so the touring was pretty scaled back.

[robbob]

Yeah, definitely a bad pairing. John 5 is amazing. Nothing against Queensryche.

This may be out of left field here, I have always wondered why Casey Grillo decided to leave Kamelot, thought it was to get away from touring and to focus on his business. But, then he goes ahead and tours with Queensryche. The drumming with Queensryche is less taxing on his body then Kamelot, but still odd.

Kamelot tours in a more traditional manner, spending a TON of time on the road overall.  QR may do a 30 day run in a bus twice a year (when headlining, and maybe a European run or a month of festivals every few years), but then they just fly in and out of festival or casino shows 2-3 days a week for the rest of the time. 

At the time he joined QR, they were pretty much doing only fly-in gigs and hadn't yet recorded or released the Verdict, so the touring was pretty scaled back.

Makes sense. Nice Gig overall for him, make some money and play mostly classic Queensryche tunes. I'm pretty sure most of the guys in Kamelot were fans and heavily influenced by Queensryche back in the day.

[cramx3]

John 5 is a BEAST.   Hes gonna blow them off the stage

Have to agree with this sentiment. I have been to a John 5 headline show. It is something to behold. His playing is otherworldly. I have all of his solo albums and his ability is just crazy.

agreed ,  to me IMO this was a real mistake of a pairing, as Wilton is so limited, Parker is better than Wilton and neither are real respected musicians like John 5 is , John 5 is a savant

I know none of his solo music, but I know he is a respected guitarist and I've seen him perform a few times with Rob Zombie.  Him opening was a big reason why (plus a cheap cost) I am going to the QR show.  I get to see two bands I probably wouldn't see on their own but together for a cheap price.  I'm excited to see his set and happy to read that others here really like him.

[EPICVIEW]

John 5 is a BEAST.   Hes gonna blow them off the stage

Have to agree with this sentiment. I have been to a John 5 headline show. It is something to behold. His playing is otherworldly. I have all of his solo albums and his ability is just crazy.

agreed ,  to me IMO this was a real mistake of a pairing, as Wilton is so limited, Parker is better than Wilton and neither are real respected musicians like John 5 is , John 5 is a savant

I know none of his solo music, but I know he is a respected guitarist and I've seen him perform a few times with Rob Zombie.  Him opening was a big reason why (plus a cheap cost) I am going to the QR show.  I get to see two bands I probably wouldn't see on their own but together for a cheap price.  I'm excited to see his set and happy to read that others here really like him.

I loved John 5s work with Rob Halford also , hes got a real ear for melody also