CD/DVD Releases: Queensryche To Release New Album June 25
While there are instances all the time of bands with the same name and one or the other having to append something like "UK" or "US" (or whatever) to their moniker to avoid confusion, less often is it because there's been a rift between members of the band, both laying claim to the name*. So, with that said, the Geoff Tate fronted version of Queensrÿche released their new album earlier this year, and now the Todd La Torre fronted version, featuring several members of the pre-split Queensrÿche, shall release their their self-titled album on June 25 via Century Media.
The cover artwork was created by Craig Howell, who has previously worked on designs for Star Wars, Slipknot and American Idol, to name a few.
Queensrÿche marks the debut release from the lineup comprised of La Torre (vocals; ex-Crimson Glory), Michael Wilton (guitar), Parker Lundgren (guitar), Eddie Jackson (bass) and Scott Rockenfield (drums). The drums for the album were recorded at London Bridge Studios in Seattle, Washington with producer James "Jimbo" Barton -- the man who engineered and mixed the band's classic 1988 LP, Operation: Mindcrime, and its 1990 follow-up, Empire, and co-produced 1994's Promised Land. The rest of the music and vocals were laid down at several different facilities on the West Coast.
Fans were treated to a taste of the new album when the band released "Redemption" and it has been garnering praise ever since. The song has been listened to over 150,000 times on YouTube since it was unveiled last month.
"This gets said often by a lot of bands, but we believe we have recorded some of our finest music in years," says drummer Scott Rockenfield.
"The collaborative effort of everyone on this album is something we are extremely proud of.
"Working with Jimbo and the addition of Todd has revitalized the band in ways we never knew until we heard the final results.
"We know you have to wait a little longer but are excited for all of our fans to hear it. Queensrÿche wouldn't be in this position if not for your unwavering support."
"Queensrÿche" track listing:
01. X2
02. Where Dreams Go To Die
03. Spore
04. In This Light
05. Redemption
06. Vindication
07. Midnight Lullaby
08. A World Without
09. Don't Look Back
10. Fallout
11. Open Road
Asked which album in Queensrÿche's catalog would most closely compare to what the band is doing now, Scott told Noize In The Attic: "Our big goal was, once we kind of made our transition last year and moved on as a band, and Todd being in the band, and our focus of the live shows and everything, it's always kind of been about looking at what really made Queensrÿche special. And for the live show, it's the old stuff. And we've been focusing a lot, in the show, doing that, for the last year, and we're continue to focus on doing that. On the record, I think the vein of what the record is a combination of all that great old stuff that we're kind of known best for. I mean, for me, I kind of summarize it by saying, to me, it's everything from the [debut] EP up to Empire, or maybe even Promised Land at that point, which is, to me, the most defining catalog that we've ever done. And I think for this record, it's visiting that and taking that into the future."
Added guitarist Michael Wilton: "I also think that when you hear this record, each song is gonna be unique in its own. For people that have heard the single that's on YouTube called 'Redemption'. Everybody's asking, 'Is the album gonna sound just like that?' And I can say, 'No.' What's great about this record is that every individual here was in the creative process and the writing -- there was no outside writers, like [there were] on the last few albums. And it really shows, and it's a real great blend of everybody's strength and their creative elements, and the songs are definitely reflective of the personalities of this band right now."
Continued Scott: "I think that's important. Especially what Michael was saying. I think the focus of that earlier stuff, there was a massive chemistry between all of us that really worked, and we wanted to find that chemistry again, 'cause we've, unfortunately, had to struggle with that the last few years. But we always knew that that's what we wanted to do, so now that we're able to do that, finding that chemistry and that energy that got us to make those records is what that energy now is in this record. And Michael's right: the songs, there's a great variety of things in it, but they're all Queensrÿche, they're all us doing it, it's our chemistry of working together."
Said Michael: "If you listen to all the other albums, like from Promised Land back to the EP, you're gonna hear all these dynamics, from song after another song -- you're gonna hear those dynamics, and that's the same sort of approach we wanted to take on this new one."
There are several versions of Queensrÿche available:
*** Standard Jewel Case Version
Regular CD that includes a 4x4 patch.
*** Deluxe Box Set Edition CD (North America only)
Regular CD with the following bonus tracks:
* Queen Of The Reich (live)
* En Force (live)
* Prophecy (live)
Housed in a small box with an exclusive patch, sticker, guitar pick and button pack.
*** 2-CD Media Book (For Europe only)
Standard CD, plus 2nd CD with the following bonus tracks, all recorded live in Snoqualmie, WA on October 27, 2012:
01. Queen Of The Reich (live)
02. En Force (live)
03. Prophecy (live)
*** LP Version
One LP with the standard cd inserted into the sleeve as a bonus.
Side A
01. X2
02. Where Dreams Go To Die
03. Spore
04. In This Light
05. Redemption
06. Vindication
Side B
01. Midnight Lullaby
02. A World Without
03. Don't Look Back
04. Fallout
05. Open Road
06. Queen Of The Reich (live)
07. En Force (live)
*** iTunes Digital Version
Standard CD version, plus the following bonus tracks:
01. Queen Of The Reich (live)
02. En Force (live)
[Source: Blabbermouth, Century Media]
Note: updated 6/24 - ed.
