Queensryche Albums Ranked
Queensrÿche/ˈkwiːnzraɪk/ is an American heavy metal band. It formed in 1980 in Bellevue, Washington, out of the local band The Mob. The band has released 15 studio albums, one EP, and several DVDs, and continues to tour and record. The original lineup consisted of guitarists Michael Wilton and Chris DeGarmo, drummer Scott Rockenfield, bassist Eddie Jackson, and lead vocalist Geoff Tate. During the time, both parties could use the name Queensrÿche, Tate created his own lineup featuring former guitarist Gray and musicians from bands including Blue Öyster Cult, Ozzy Osbourne, Whitesnake, Dio, AC/DC, and Quiet Riot. This version of Queensrÿche with Geoff Tate released the album Frequency Unknown on April 23, 2013, while Queensrÿche (with La Torre replacing Tate) released their eponymous album on June 24 and 25, 2013 (European and American release date, respectively). Both bands toured in 2013 and 2014. Here are all Queensryche albums ranked.
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6. Queensrÿche (1983)
“Not a long album, this is just a taste, an experiment maybe, but it sounds fresh and alive for the first time in a long time. Songs like Where Dreams Go To Die, Spore, Redemption and A World Without sound great. Rocking, tight, short and sweet and to the point. This is like taking a time machine back to 1980-something and getting new Queensryche without all the baggage that Tate brought with him after his voice started to fade away to mid-range.”
5. Rage for Order (1986)
“Rage For Order is one of the greatest prog rock albums of all time! I believe it can only be matched (or topped) by Queensryche’s own “Operation Mindcrime”. I’m never disappointed with Chris DeGarmo’s musical experimentation and composition structuring, or Geoff Tate’s writing and vocal genius. His incredible range, power, and control is unmatched in any age or genre.”
3. Condition Hüman (2015)
“This album is a must-have for serious hard rock, prog rock or metal fans. Everything about it is solid- songwriting, production, vocals, energy. I felt like the previous CD sounded like the sequel to Empire because of its “feel” and the melodies and hooks. And I loved that, but you immediately hear a different approach on this album. It has a more progressive rock feel to it but there is never any doubt that it is Queensryche.”
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3. Empire (1990)
“It contains everything that everyone loves about these guys from brilliant and intelligent lyrics and songwriting to incredible musicianship, and the songs range from beautiful ballads, to strong melodic rockers, and classic heavy fist pumpers, believe me, it’s all on here. Vocalist Geoff Tate leads the charge here with his brilliantly soaring-like-an-eagle, commanding, powerful, melodic vocals, meanwhile guitarists Chris DeGarmo and Michael Wilton both display their ever so talented skills with tons of awesome, hard rocking riffs and fantastic leads and solos throughout”
2. Promised Land (1994)
“Queensryche has always been an experimental band, and with Promised Land, that brought to the table a set of sounds that is unlike anything they’ve ever played, heck, it’s unlike just about anything I’ve heard before. You have very surreal sounds matched with atypical rock instruments, such as a saxophone, to make some of the best music that they have made.”
1. Operation: Mindcrime (1988)
“The music is excellent and relentless, the plot of the album is very believable, and the mix of sound-bytes sprinkled throughout the album, mostly in the form of song transitions, is brilliant. The lyrics, guitar hooks and pace of the album keep the listener attuned to the tale of a pawn caught in the grip of establishment intrigue, crossing the themes of love, country and religion. Good stuff!”