Queensryche Songs 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 songs ranked.
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20. Anybody Listening? (Empire, 1990)
“This honestly needs to be higher on the list-this is really a beautiful song. Most passionate song by them, most meaningful, plus the guitar can’t be beaten. Think for yourself and feel the walls become sand beneath your feet.”
19. Another Rainy Night (Empire, 1990)
“Not their normal type of song, but this song is AMAZING! Come on, I can’t listen to Queensryche without listening to this song. It relates back to their home town of Seattle, and the feeling in this song is great! Queensryche at it’s best if you ask me.”
18. Sign of the Times (Sign of the Times, 2007)
“The vocals and lyrics are just awesome! The rhythm of the song is astonishing. The acoustic breakdown is a masterpiece on its own. This song should really be on the top.”
17. Walk in the Shadows (Rage for Order, 1986)
“The standout track from Rage for Order featuring relentless drumming and the usual prowess from Geoff Tate. Rage for Order is my favorite Queensryche album.
See more: Queensryche Albums Ranked
16. Best I Can (Empire, 1990)
“The opening track from Queensrÿche’s diverse _Empire_ album, the inspirational “Best I Can”, finds the Seattle based group working the Rush angle in a major way. Issued as a promotional compact disc single, the “Best I Can” release includes an acoustic version of the high-tech “I Dream In Infrared”.
15. The Lady Wore Black (The Warning, 1984)
“This is the song that put them on the Metal Map… Too bad they don’t remember it! They need to get back to the early days of mind blowing lyrics and performance.”
14. Speak (Operation: Mindcrime, 1988)
“Slash style lead guitar intro (solo). Deep beat early. Some deep backing vocals at times. I like the soaring vocals. Sample lyric: “The rich control the government, the media the law”. I think this track may be one of those where the running time depends on whether your lcd counts up or down the track length…there is an 8 second transition on this track…so maybe the actual running time may be 3:41. This track has a bit of crowd noise.”
13. Spreading the Disease (Operation: Mindcrime, 1988)
“A catchy enough song. I like the heavy drum tone at the start and throughout, at times (bass drum? Some cow bell type percussion in the track, too). Some lyrics are about a prostitute and some are political. Song has some harmonies. Religion is targeted in this song over issues like greed and there is a line about the “1%”…which resonates with the recentish “Occupy” protests about Wall St. greed and corruption.”
12. I Don’t Believe in Love (Operation: Mindcrime, 1988)
“Staticky track, especially for the intro. Bass chugs along nicely in this track. Has lead guitar notes and I like the rich tone for this in the intro (maybe some of the lead guitar notes in this song bring to mind Def Leppard’s “Love bites”). Galloping riffing and some big, open riffs. The song’s chorus has a 1980s style, again…a bit hair metal, in that regard.”
11. Revolution Calling (Revolution Calling, 2003)
“This is the best song of Queensryche, I could listen to it over and over again, it has a very deep message that should make us think about the corruption in politics. The lyrics are more relevant today than they were in 1988!”
10. The Mission (Operation: Mindcrime, 1988)
“Another ‘movie scene’. The tv plays, reinforcing the the image of religion as being all about greed. There are some nice steel string acoustic (?) guitar notes. Very deep bass notes early. Found the bit at 0:58+ vaguely like Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir” (for both the riffing and the lead guitar playing too. Some chiming bell sounds early too. Violins (or synth?) create a sweeping/swinging riff (I think that the swinging riff refers to the violins/synth…maybe I mean the rhythm guitar?). The first bonus track is also a live version of this song: ‘6:26’/’6:11’/6:09 (the actual running time of the track displays differently according to whether your lcd is counting the song up or down in length). The band are just as good live as they were in the studio. The crowd is enthusiastic and their noise bookends the track…it’s longer at the end of the track. Some of the later lead guitar notes hinted at a James Bond movie kind of melody for me.”
9. Operation: Mindcrime (Operation: Mindcrime, 1988)
“Another ‘movie scene’. Not bad, as far as the gothic riffing at the start goes. Has a chunky sounding bass and a big backbeat. Like the soaring heavy metal vocals at times and the tone of the guitar at times too, e.g. 1:47…that instance being reminiscent of Midnight Oil’s guitar vibe, perhaps…or of Van Halen’s “Panama”. A lyric mentioned a “mainline” habit…had to look up this term…a drug (heroin) reference. The place where I got the definition (Urban Dictionary) also references this song as an example of the use of this word!”
8. Roads to Madness (The Warning, 1984)
“The whole song you can feel the emotions change. Simply impressive, a masterclass for every rock band. This is the ultimate Queensryche epic, better than “Suite Sister Mary”
7. Jet City Woman (Empire, 1990)
“It’s their best song of Empire after silent lucidity and one of my favorite Queensryche songs. Jet city woman it should be way higher on the list the solos make this the best on the empire.”
See more: Celtic Frost Albums Ranked
6. Take Hold of the Flame (The Warning, 1984)
“Although the whole mindcrime disc is mindblowing, the vocals and sheer passion in this song is mind blowing. Very emotional like much of their music. Awesome band both live and studio.”
5. Empire (Empire, 1990)
“I was disappointed as all hell with Queensrÿche’s Empire from first listen, and I still find it quite unimpressive. I remember an acquaintance telling me he thought they were ‘almost there’ with its predecessor, Operation: Mindcrime, and that with Empire, they ‘finally gotten there’. My eyes got really wide and I scrunched up my face, and moved on.”
4. Suite Sister Mary (Operation: Mindcrime, 1988)
“Scare quotes indicate that the running time on the lcd is inflated by silence. A theatrical track…as in it’s like a scene from a movie. Has eerie strings, choral effects and nice electric guitar notes (lick-riff. It is also buzzy at times). Perhaps a cello is played…with a bow. Deep bass. Plucked notes on violin later? Symphonic drums early. The choral effect is – I’m guessing – akin to that used in a movie like “The omen” (my memory’s not so good, hence the guess). Male backing vocals and a female singer too…perhaps the “Mary” of the story? The sound of rain bookends this song and outro has the sound of thunder, etc.”
3. Queen of the Reich (Queensrÿche, 1983)
“Probably the best metal song of all time, not only the best Queensryche song. It never loses its uncanny power and air of suspense. Far better than Silent Lucidity or Eyes of a Stranger, this is the ultimate driving tune.”
2. Silent Lucidity (Empire, 1990)
“I remember listening to this for the very first time that it certainly got me into Queensryche. This is not just a song, it’s a melancholy that would match with your sadness(if you are) any time. The concept upon which its written is also fabulous and proves to be one of those greatest songs ever written.”
1. Eyes of a Stranger (Operation: Mindcrime, 1988)
“More ‘movie scene’ material then a rock intro. When the singing first starts, it’s mellow rock. Mellow organ too. Nice bluesy lead guitar playing, e.g. 3:19 – 4:00 and 5:27+. In fact, this is a track I could slot into my list here for the greatest guitar based tracks…in this case, for the solo. Has the ambiguous lyric “Your rosary wrapped around your throat” (which follows on from my remarks about “My empty room”). This closing track links to the opening track on the album thematically. Did find parts of this track Beatle-esque. ‘Movie scene’ outro too. This track has static at times too.”