Metal Reviews

There is nothing awful that came after Empire. Promised Land is ridiculously underrated. Killer album. Hear In The Now Frontier is a decent Chris Degarmo solo album (that's exactly what it is), with a few great tunes on it ("You," and especially "Sp00l," "Anytime, Anywhere," and "Hit The Black"). This album was a departure, mainly because Degarmo wrote nearly everything on it. He would have left the band earlier than this had he not been able to write this stuff.

After that one, however, things are different. Tribe and Q2K aren't bad, but they're not great. Each have a few really good songs ("Right Side Of My Mind" is easily one of their best ever), but the albums are way too laid back and subdued. Enjoyable on ocassion. Mindcrime II is far better. It doesn't have the shelf life of the original, but it's still a really solid effort. There's a few turds, though, especially "Speed Of Light," which is easily their worst song ever. That breakdown is so pointless and...just plain bad. And the CD ends on a dull note. I think "Re-Arrange You" is one of the best tunes they've ever done, though.

Anyway, nothing they've done is awful, but they're surely not nearly as good as they once were. And this covers album is decent, but too many songs suffer from what most songs on covers albums suffer from: they lack passion.

I guess some people really want to like some stuff so bad, it doesn't matter what it sounds like? Did you get that Lou reed album too with all that static and noise?

There is nothing awful that came after Empire. Promised Land is ridiculously underrated. Killer album. Hear In The Now Frontier is a decent Chris Degarmo solo album (that's exactly what it is), with a few great tunes on it ("You," and especially "Sp00l," "Anytime, Anywhere," and "Hit The Black"). This album was a departure, mainly because Degarmo wrote nearly everything on it. He would have left the band earlier than this had he not been able to write this stuff.

After that one, however, things are different. Tribe and Q2K aren't bad, but they're not great. Each have a few really good songs ("Right Side Of My Mind" is easily one of their best ever), but the albums are way too laid back and subdued. Enjoyable on ocassion. Mindcrime II is far better. It doesn't have the shelf life of the original, but it's still a really solid effort. There's a few turds, though, especially "Speed Of Light," which is easily their worst song ever. That breakdown is so pointless and...just plain bad. And the CD ends on a dull note. I think "Re-Arrange You" is one of the best tunes they've ever done, though.

Anyway, nothing they've done is awful, but they're surely not nearly as good as they once were. And this covers album is decent, but too many songs suffer from what most songs on covers albums suffer from: they lack passion.

I agree with you, Ken. If only this happened more often.

You see, what you have to realise is the four or five people who argue the most (Ken, Stefan, me, Octo and another candidate) actually have the most similar tastes. If only we united, we could rule the universe...

I, myself, have never been able to enjoy Operation: Mindcrime... It's not a bad album, mark my words, but a huge step down in Queensrÿche evolution after the killer Rage For Order.

My Queensrÿche top 3:
- Promised Land 95/100
- Rage For Order 90/100
- Empire 85/100

I'd give the first Mindcrime a 65/100 and Hear in the Now Frontier a 70/100.

And then lose it in an afternoon when you all argue over what colour your matching outfits should be.

And then lose it in an afternoon when you all argue over what colour your matching outfits should be.

I guess some people really want to like some stuff so bad, it doesn't matter what it sounds like? Did you get that Lou reed album too with all that static and noise?

You can put the joint down Ken because it's effecting your hearing

Everything they've done after Empire was subpar to say the least and Q2K not bad you kidding me it's the worst Queensryche album ever.

Seven years later, Q2K still doesn’t impress me much. The addition of two unheard songs is cool indeed, but the songs neither increase or decrease the quality of the album as a whole. It’s still the same old Q2K. “The Right Side Of My Mind” still remains one of my all-time favorite Queensrÿche songs, but the rest of the album doesn’t even compare. There are some very good songs, but there are just as many boring, unmemorable tracks. Queensrÿche will never be the same, even if Chris DeGarmo returned to the band they would never be the same. It’s wishful thinking, but it won’t happen. And no amount of finger-pointing towards DeGarmo will change the fact that Q2K remains a mediocre album at best.

Come on, nothing they've done has been bad. Maybe not great, but never worse than mediocre or decent. Didn't I review Q2K here?

....

Yep. I gave it a 60/100.


That about sums it up.

Oh yes they have done bad right after Empire they fell off the map PERIOD nothing good came post Empire IMHO Tate's vocals have suffered over the years which is a shame because he used to be one of the best in the industry now he sounds passionless with no heart like he used too.

Not necessarily bad, but yes, everthing post-Empire just isn't the same. They're average, decent or even good albums, but only when compared to other bands. When compared to previous Ryche albums, they're just too far away, quality speaking.

And yes, Promised Land is the best of post-Empire, it has some of their best songs, but it's a bit too inconsistent to stand up to previous albums.

As for Mindcrime, it's probably my favourite metal album, and I know I'm not alone in this respect. I'm not surprised though that someone like Stefan would rate it 60, the guy thinks Painkiller is overrated and has only one great song.

Indeed, and it's TOUCH OF EVIL !

You're going to Metal Hell for disrespecting Painkiller.

Like I could really care... Painkiller is average at best... Gimme "Freewheel Burning" !

You see, what you have to realise is the four or five people who argue the most (Ken, Stefan, me, Octo and another candidate) actually have the most similar tastes. If only we united, we could rule the universe...

Freewheeeeeeeel burniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing
Freewheeeeeeeeeeel burniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing