Queensryche

Progressive metal band Queensrÿche is known as one of pioneers of progressive metal, with their 1988 album Operation: Mindcrime considered an influential album in the sudden upward momentum of the genre. The band slipped a bit in the 90’s, but is still going strong, with a loyal fan base following their every move.

Queensrÿche formed in 1981 in Seattle, Washington. The band signed with EMI and released a self-titled EP in 1983. At first, the music was heavily geared towards a Judas Priest/Iron Maiden hybrid, but with their 1984 debut album The Warning, Queensrÿche began to move towards a more progressive sound.

1986’s Rage For Order featured a strong keyboard presence and was lighter than their debut. Some fans were opposed to this new sound, and the glam metal-like attire the band began to wear wouldn’t ease any concerned minds.

1988’s Operation: Mindcrime would be the catalyst that eased many fears of fans. Queensrÿche’s third album was a huge success, one that would become a major accomplishment in the band’s career. Singles “Eyes Of A Stranger” and “I Don’t Believe In Love” became regulars on MTV and the band’s fan base soared.

1990’s Empire only further skyrocketed Queensrÿche’s popularity and helped the band to go on several headlining tours. 1994’s Promised Land wasn’t the knock-out success that Empire was, but still went platinum, even with the darker lyrics and moods expressed on the album.

With alternative rock and grunge topping the charts, Queensrÿche began to flounder as a band. 1997’s Hear In The Now Frontier quickly left the charts and founding member Chris DeGarmo left the band, leaving the band with their first major lineup change.

Kelly Gray replaced DeGarmo and the band released Q2K in 1999. Wildly experimental, the album did little to put the band back in the spotlight. Even with DeGarmo returning to the band in early 2003 to record Tribe, the band still languished to regain the popularity of their earlier years.

DeGarmo didn’t stay long with Queensrÿche, and Mike Stone came in as the new guitarist. In 2006, Queensrÿche released [link url=http://heavymetal.about.com/od/cdreviews/gr/queensryche.htm]Operation: Mindcrime II, a sequel to the 1988 classic. While not as well-received as the first album, the sequel did land at #14 on the Billboard charts, the highest position in over a decade for Queensrÿche. The band would release a covers album, Take Cover, in 2007, featuring their interpretation of a wide range of bands, from Black Sabbath to The Police to Peter Gabriel.

Dream Theater, Helloween, Hammerfall

Geoff Tate - Vocals
Michael Wilton - Guitar
Eddie Jackson - Bass
Scott Rockenfield - Drums

Chris DeGarmo - Guitar (1981-1998, 2003)
Kelly Gray - Guitar (1998-2001)
Mike Stone - Guitar (2003-2009)

1984 The Warning (EMI)
1986 Rage For Order (EMI)
1988 Operation: Mindcrime (EMI)
1990 Empire (EMI)
1992 Operation: Livecrime (EMI)
1994 Promised Land (EMI)
1997 Hear In The Now Frontier (EMI)
1999 Q2K (Atlantic)
2001 Live Evolution (Sanctuary)
2003 Tribe (Sanctuary)
2004 The Art Of Live (Sanctuary)
2006 Operation: Mindcrime II (Rhino)
2007 Mindcrime At The Moore (Rhino)
2007 Take Cover (Rhino)
2009 American Soldier (Rhino)

Operation: Mindcrime
Queensrÿche’s third album is a masterful release, one of the best in progressive metal. A concept album about a man who is brain-washed into becoming an assassin, the story takes many twists and turns, all leading to an explosive conclusion with “Eyes Of A Stranger.” Geoff Tate puts in the best performance of his career, with pitch-perfect falsettos, and guitarist Chris DeGarmo shows why he was one of the most underrated guitarists in metal with memorable riffs and ear-popping solos.