Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Michael Wilton, Scott Rockenfield, and Eddie Jackson have gone on record several times and said they have a ton of unused material they have written over the years that has yet to see the light of day. A quick listen to Scott and Whip's "mosh pit demos" proves that they aren't bluffing. And yet, rather than use some of that already-written material, when Michael, Scott, and Eddie entered the studio to write Queensryche's latest self-titled album with returning guitarist Parker Lundgren and new vocalist Todd LaTorre, they instead chose to use only new material the five musicians wrote together specifically for the new album sessions. This decision definitely makes a statement, but it is also incredibly risky. The risk paid off. Everything about the classic Queensryche sound that fans have come to know and love over the years--things that have been conspicuously absent for several albums--are back. But instead of sounding like tired retreads, the songs have a freshness and originality to them that is very satisfying. In short, the songs sound huge and complex. Even the songs with very straightforward, standard arrangements have a depth and complexity to them that rings of Queensryche of old. The complex, multi-layered guitars are back. The relentless, driving rhythm section is back. The little sonic nuances that add texture and atmosphere are back. The vocal harmonies that give added dimension and emotion to the vocals are back. The thoughtful and thought-provoking lyrics that make the listener think without telling him or her what to think are (finally!) back. All the things a lot of long-time fans missed that made Queensryche a truly unique band are back. But, as I mentioned above, Queensryche is much, MUCH more than simply a nostalgia trip. Yes, the core sound of the band has finally returned. Let's not forget that 3 of the 4 members who actually wrote the MUSIC of Queensryche (not just the lyrics and vocal melodies) are present. And with Parker Lundgren and Todd LaTorre joining the songwriting team, the band has two talented musicians who are both fans of classic Queensryche and who have made themselves students of what made that classic Queensryche sound. The flip-side is that the songs sound modern and bring plenty of new energy to the table without sacrificing what made the band great in the first place. A few comments about the performances on the album. Michael and Parker really did a fantastic job of blending catchy riffs, huge open chords, and harmonized solos that immediately let the listener know that this is indeed a Queensryche album. But perhaps the stars of the album are the rhythm section of Eddie and Scott. The two are absolutely locked in. The drumming is intense and creative, and Eddie's bass sound is huge and "in your face." Rather than sit back on the songs, the rhythm section truly drives the songs and gives them huge punch and energy. But what about LaTorre? Does he live up to the hype? As someone who thought Geoff Tate was an integral, irreplaceable fixture of Queensryche, I have to say: yes, he absolutely does. Many may accuse Todd of being a Tate clone. And to be fair, there are times when it is uncanny how much he sounds like Tate, right down to his vocal phrasing and enunciation. But while Todd is able to pay respect and homage to the signature vocal sound of Queensryche, he brings plenty new to the table as well, and there are many places on the album where his own style shines through. What is clear to this fan is that Todd clearly gets that people want to hear a certain style of vocals when they listen to Queensryche, and he delivers that style in exemplary form and truly pays respect to Queensryche's legacy. But at the same time, he is not merely an imitator. He sounds genuine, powerful, and passionate about the vocals he is singing, and it is clear that he is not merely the "hired gun" replacement singer, but is a fan of the music and is committed to not only pay homage to the Queensryche sound, but also just as committed to take it to new places. I completely understand the sentiment of many who just somehow find it impossible to identify with a band without Geoff Tate as "Queensryche." Replacing a singer, especially one with such a distinctive voice and style as Tate, can often make a band somehow feel like a cheap imitation rather than the real thing. But after hearing LaTorre with Queensryche, any doubts I may have had have completely vanished. I hope those else out there with similar doubts will give the new Queensryche an open-minded listen and a chance to make a similar impression. It should be obvious that I am incredibly impressed by this album. This is easily the best complete collection of songs the band has done since Chris DeGarmo departed in the late `90s. Given what the band has done since then, I honestly did not expect to like this album as much as I do. It is solid from start to finish. But it is not perfect, hence my rating of 4 stars. It is a huge step in the right direction, and I am a very happy, satisfied Queensryche fan for the first time in over a decade. And even the minor flaws do not take away from that. The only real criticism I have is that the album is short. That is true both in terms of album length and song length. Some of the songs just feel like they needed a bit more space to breath and a bit more time to develop. Had some of the songs been extended a bit, this could be a near-perfect album. But still, it exceeded expectations, as far as I am concerned. And the stellar performances on the three live bonus tracks on the special edition make up for the album feeling a bit short as a whole. A quick note on production: The mix is EXCELLENT. There is so much balance, and every instrument gets its own time to shine in any given song. The mastering, on the other hand, leaves a bit to be desired. The album is mastered very hot, which makes for a very loud and sometimes distorted sound that detracts a bit from an otherwise spectacular sounding album. To summarize, this is a true return-to-form. Given their history, as well as the tumult of recent events, Queensryche had a lot to prove. This album shows that they are clearly headed in the right direction and, for the first time in a long time, makes me anxious to see what they do next.