I'm really looking forward to seeing whether or not QR does in fact really focus on the TLT era. I mean, they basically always do 80-minute, 16-song sets for headline shows. My expectation for this "new setlist" will be EIGHT songs from the four TLT albums (3 from DNA, 1 from The Verdict, 2 from Condition Human, 2 from self-titled), and then eight from the classic period. Of which FOUR, will be classics (Queen of the Reich, Silent Lucidity, Eyes of a Stranger, Empire), and four, I hope, are deeper cuts. Stuff like Deliverance, Blinded, Child of Fire, London, etc. Given what they have said, as a fan, this is what I expect from such an announcement.
What I think is more likely, is that we'll get five songs from the TLT era, two deep cuts, and the remaining nine tracks will be the hits. I sincerely hope that is wrong, and that my above expectation is more along the lines of what folks get. For me, I wasn't planning on seeing them this go-around. But if they end up really putting their money where their mouths are, and playing a TLT-era-heavy set, I'll grab a ticket and check it out.
Frankly, I thought after they released the self-titled album in 2013, that they should really focus on the TLT era, and showcase that album...a new start for the band, and pepper it with the metal hits (Queen, Walk, Warning, NM 156, etc.) and some of the standards like Jet City, Lucidity, Eyes, etc. Basically to rebuild the band's reputation as a metal act. But instead, they went full-on Greatest Hits from 1983-1990 for the years that followed, playing a couple of new tracks, and sliding in a couple PL songs. Basically pandering to the casino crowd. I've always felt that was a mistake. I know it's hard for them to balance a set, given what they are trying to achieve (meeting the expectations of both hardcores and the whole crowd who wants the Empire/MC hits). But by leaning toward nostalgia, I always felt they lost any semblance of relevancy, particularly as I watched bands like Fates Warning, Dream Theater, etc., all focus on their new material.
So fingers crossed they actually do what they said they are going to do, and stick to it. I'm not as high on DNA as some of you are. After another listen, I do think it's a decent album, but I also think the songs are very much "let's try this and throw it at the wall." Very inconsistent from a stylistic standpoint. A lot of blending of styles and approaches. I feel like it is an album of a whole bunch of singular tracks that try different things instead of being focused work of progression. I may not be describing that well. All the classic records had this "sound" to them that was distinct. All the songs from each record really fit with one another, style-wise. DNA is the opposite. It's a bunch of songs (some very good), all very different. At least to my ears. Glad people dig it. I hope they play a good chunk of it at the shows.
Topic: Official Queensryche thread: Kickstart the next album (Read 694900 times)
