Official Queensryche thread: Kickstart the next album

[WebRaider]

Excited about a return to form after so much turbulence over the years. It's a quite good release IMO with only issues a little short and the mastering which has been noted.

What I love about the band is their balance between rock, metal, prog over their career and many of us enjoy the band for different reasons (like some peoples issues with Promised Land for whatever reason - AMAZING album).

The latest release is a little straight forward for my tastes. I hope they still have some minor prog elements as in the past and like jjrock mentioned experimenting with sounds and song lengths (maybe at least a couple longer songs?).

[Jaq]

That's one of the things that always interests me about the Queensryche debates, that they need to do longer songs.

Were they really known for that, though? They operated in the 4-6 minute range far more than they did the 8-10 minute range, and most of their best songs were relatively shorter. The QR I loved wasn't one that was throwing out constant 10 minute tracks. While I wouldn't mind seeing them write good material at any length, a lot of people seem to be associating QR with long songs, and that really wasn't their thing.

[bosk1]

That's one of the things that always interests me about the Queensryche debates, that they need to do longer songs.

Were they really known for that, though? They operated in the 4-6 minute range far more than they did the 8-10 minute range, and most of their best songs were relatively shorter. The QR I loved wasn't one that was throwing out constant 10 minute tracks. While I wouldn't mind seeing them write good material at any length, a lot of people seem to be associating QR with long songs, and that really wasn't their thing.

Yes and no.  I'm not saying they need to do epics all the time.  They DO have a few that range in the 7-10 minute range, and I can't think of a single of on those that are not awesome.  But even if they rarely or never do anything that long again, that's not really the issue.

In their earlier years, MOST of their songs were in the 4-5 minute range.  On the latest album, the average run time is a lot lower.  Not counting the two "transition"/intro pieces, 5 of the 9 songs don't even crack the 3:30 mark.  Each of those could do with another 20-30 seconds, at least.  And while that doesn't seem like much, it's all that is needed to help those songs breathe and build a bit more.  Sometimes, there's something to be said for the quick, to-the-point song.  That's all fine, and you can point to some songs where that works.  But others need just a bit more.  IMO, In This Light is a perfect example:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LGaEOP86Kc  Very good song.  And I kind of like that it starts suddenly.  But the vocals coming in at only about 10 seconds in is too fast, it could use a bit more space between the first chorus and second verse, the transition into the solo is a bit too short, and while the outro solo is VERY nice, it also ends just a bit prematurely.  The second two issues probably aren't necessary, but fix the first two and you've got an outstanding song vs. one right now that feels structurally incomplete despite lots of outstanding moments.

[Lowdz]

That's one of the things that always interests me about the Queensryche debates, that they need to do longer songs.

Were they really known for that, though? They operated in the 4-6 minute range far more than they did the 8-10 minute range, and most of their best songs were relatively shorter. The QR I loved wasn't one that was throwing out constant 10 minute tracks. While I wouldn't mind seeing them write good material at any length, a lot of people seem to be associating QR with long songs, and that really wasn't their thing.

Yes and no.  I'm not saying they need to do epics all the time.  They DO have a few that range in the 7-10 minute range, and I can't think of a single of on those that are not awesome.  But even if they rarely or never do anything that long again, that's not really the issue.

In their earlier years, MOST of their songs were in the 4-5 minute range.  On the latest album, the average run time is a lot lower.  Not counting the two "transition"/intro pieces, 5 of the 9 songs don't even crack the 3:30 mark.  Each of those could do with another 20-30 seconds, at least.  And while that doesn't seem like much, it's all that is needed to help those songs breathe and build a bit more.  Sometimes, there's something to be said for the quick, to-the-point song.  That's all fine, and you can point to some songs where that works.  But others need just a bit more.  IMO, In This Light is a perfect example:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LGaEOP86Kc  Very good song.  And I kind of like that it starts suddenly.  But the vocals coming in at only about 10 seconds in is too fast, it could use a bit more space between the first chorus and second verse, the transition into the solo is a bit too short, and while the outro solo is VERY nice, it also ends just a bit prematurely.  The second two issues probably aren't necessary, but fix the first two and you've got an outstanding song vs. one right now that feels structurally incomplete despite lots of outstanding moments.

A great example and absolutely on the money. The album is full of moments where they could and should have stretched things out a little.
Open Road feels a bit of a missed opportunity. Great song. I love it, it just feels like it should build up a notch at the end.
I'm now off to listen to Roads To Madness,   No Sanctuary and Suite Sister Mary.

[TAC]

3 great tunes there, Lowdz.

[PowerSlave]

I wonder if some of the people that are bothered about the length of the songs versus the length of the songs in the classic period are being tricked a little bit by the way that the classic era albums flowed. What I mean by this is that often times on the classic albums many of the songs would flow into one another without a break between the songs. Of course, much of mindcrime is like that because it's a concept album and are constructed that way to tie the story together and there are examples of this on all of the other albums from that era. Maybe that makes some of the songs seem to be longer ect. ect...?

[Lowdz]

I wonder if some of the people that are bothered about the length of the songs versus the length of the songs in the classic period are being tricked a little bit by the way that the classic era albums flowed. What I mean by this is that often times on the classic albums many of the songs would flow into one another without a break between the songs. Of course, much of mindcrime is like that because it's a concept album and are constructed that way to tie the story together and there are examples of this on all of the other albums from that era. Maybe that makes some of the songs seem to be longer ect. ect...?

Possibly, I certainly see what you mean. QR generally didn't write long songs. I think its more about how the songs on the ST seem like they should be longer and that they seem to be in a rush to get to the end. They didn't let the songs breathe. Quick intro- straight into the verse- straight into the chorus sort of thing. Even the odd extended outro solo would have helped.
Oh and less distorted vocals next time. Let's hear the guy sing.

[jammindude]

I'm only going to disagree to the extent that when they DID write an epic, it was usually some of their best material. 

It's true that their best album (RFO) had no long songs.   But in my mind, Suite Sister Mary is the single greatest piece of music they ever produced...and it's not even close.    Roads to Madness is easily a top 10 all time QR song as well.   (just wish the production on the original was a bit better)   The other (semi) epic that hasn't been done live with the new lineup is the title track from Promised Land...which has a big following as well.

They have done epics, and when they have done epics they have generally been revered as some of their best material.   I think that's what gets fans curious about what a newer epic may sound like.

That being said, I don't think you should "force" an epic.    If it comes, it should come naturally. 

[Vivace]

It's always nice to watch a video from a band having fun, jamming, especially to a song as excellent as Redemption. This whole album is just stellar and it just a breath of fresh air to see the band look as happy as they are now. You can genuinely see that in this video. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_Eer13yWrU

[Zook]

But... This video is very old.

[bosk1]

Um...this came out in October and is already in the Queensryche thread.

[wolfking]

It's always nice to watch a video from a band having fun, jamming, especially to a song as excellent as Redemption. This whole album is just stellar and it just a breath of fresh air to see the band look as happy as they are now. You can genuinely see that in this video. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_Eer13yWrU

You're a little late bro.

[Vivace]

Oh... oh well. 

[wolfking]

Still a great tune and a kickass album though.

[Zydar]

I hadn't heard anything about the court case in a while, but then I saw this:

https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/geoff_tate_looking_forward_to_settling_queensryche_case.html

"Everything's kind of been on hold while we finish up our court case and everything, which we hope we'll finish up at the end of January. We're just in the final stages of trying to work out settlements now. For me at least, the last year and a half has been quite a difficult time. I'm looking forward to it being settled and moving on."

[El JoNNo]

It's true that their best album (RFO) had no long songs.   

It's always interesting how music tastes can very. There are only 4 songs on that album I like, the rest I find to unlistenable.

The 4 are     "Walk in the Shadows", "The Whisper", "Surgical Strike", "Neue Regel".

[abydos]

Indeed. I find it hard to imagine someone filing I Dream In Infrared, The Killing Words, London, I will Remember and Screaming in Digital as "unlistenable".

[El JoNNo]

I might give them all a listen again, I haven't listened to any of them in years. i fisrt heard them during my  days now that I've  I might find them  . You get me?! 

[Mister Gold]

I might give them all a listen again, I haven't listened to any of them in years. i fisrt heard them during my  days now that I've  I might find them  . You get me?! 

Even if that isn't the case, I feel that RfO (along with Promised Land) is really one of those "grower" albums. It's very layered and complex with all of the synths and guitar-work. Not to mention that Neil Kernon's production style adds a bit of an atmosphere to the music, so you might have to adjust to that too.

That said, if you keep with it and give it time, RfO will generally give you plenty of rewards.

[bl5150]

RFO grew on me - Promised Land did not (I always liked One More Time but that's about it)

[jammindude]

I didn't see a Geoff Tate thread...and I don't think he's worth making one.   But I thought this was good for a laugh.

https://www.king5.com/video?id=248383061&sec=619972

Geoff...with his band...doing The Kinks "Lola"....badly....with a freakin wig.   

[Phoenix87x]

Mother of god

   

[bl5150]

Looks like he borrowed James Christian's hair 

He's just getting more and more pathetic and I'm surprised he can still pull a TV gig like that - although I have no idea of the status of that program.

On the positive side

- he did sound more in tune there than I've heard in a while

- it's an improvement on this

[King Postwhore]

WTF did I just watch?!

And WTF with that picture?!

[bosk1]

I didn't see a Geoff Tate thread...and I don't think he's worth making one.   But I thought this was good for a laugh.

https://www.king5.com/video?id=248383061&sec=619972

Geoff...with his band...doing The Kinks "Lola"....badly....with a freakin wig.   

It wasn't even his "band."  Just him and Jason Ames, with Miranda and some other unidentified...girls, gyrating in the background. 

[wolfking]

Who is the fat chick in that pic?

[El JoNNo]

Back up singer sounds better lol

[FracturedMirror]

- it's an improvement on this

I have no idea what this is from, but it has to be one of the worst costume ideas in the history of rock and metal performance.

[ozzy554]

Looks like he borrowed James Christian's hair 

He's just getting more and more pathetic and I'm surprised he can still pull a TV gig like that - although I have no idea of the status of that program.

On the positive side

- he did sound more in tune there than I've heard in a while

- it's an improvement on this

I'd finally erased this image from my mind and would like to thank you for re-burning the image into my retinas.

The Cabaret tour is one of many reasons I was ecstatic when I found out he was fired from the band.

[bl5150]

My pleasure ozzy 

Here's a close up - not sure what he's up to there

[Nel]

I think he's doing whatever he does in the bathroom in the morning.

[Mladen]

I thought that was a fun video. Had I not known about Geoff Tate and all the stuff that went down over the years, I would have thought he's quite a character.

[wolfking]

I thought that was a fun video. Had I not known about Geoff Tate and all the stuff that went down over the years, I would have thought he's quite a character.

Well, he is definitely quite a character, that's for sure.

[ZirconBlue]

Who is the fat chick in that pic?

Geoff Tate.

[jjrock88]

If QR didn't give this nutball the boot, this could've officially been a QR performance.