by Frank Roberts

Created on: July 03, 2007   Last Updated: August 11, 2009

First let me tell you up front, I've been a rabid 'ryche fan for 20 years - this may not be the most unbiased account you'll read. I love them, warts and all!

Their first release was the eponymous EP, containing 'Queen of the Reich' and 'The Lady Wore Black'. At a time when Motley Crue and Duran Duran ruled the airwaves, Geoff Tate's soaring operatic vocals and the complex guitars of Chris DeGarmo and Michael Wilton were a welcome change. It was immediately clear that the rock scene would soon be changing.

Queensryche's first full album 'Warning' soon followed. Live favorite 'Roads to Madness' appears here, as does 'NM156' -the first of many 'ryche songs to explore the theme of man vs. machine.

Next came 'Rage for Order'. Aside from really tragic fashion choices that their record company chose to market them, this was a really solid effort. The band was really starting to find their voice. Three notable tracks from this disc are 'Walk in the Shadows', 'Gonna Get Close to You', and 'Chemical Youth'

Their next album changed everything, and cemented Queensryche's status as prog-rock gods. 'Operation:Mindcrime' revived the concept album earned them a spot opening for Def Leppard on their hugely successful 'Hysteria' tour. Queensryche was no longer a secret - they had arrived in a big way. Two hits came from 'Mindcrime': 'Eyes of a Stranger'and 'I Don't Believe in Love'.

All of which set the stage for 'Empire'. The title track was a big hit, but paled in comparison to 'Silent Lucidity'. This top ten hit, with it's orchestral arrangement and lush soundscape drew favorable comparisons to Pink Floyd and earned Queensryche a Grammy Nomination. 'Jet City Woman' and 'Another Rainy Night (Without You)' would follow 'Silent Lucidity' up the charts.

'Promised Land' was the followup to 'Empire', and while it produced two hits, 'I am I', and 'The Bridge', it was not considered a commercial success compared to 'Empire'. This was probably the beginning of the end.

The next release, 'Hear in the Now Frontier', was the last album with the original lineup. There was one single 'Sign of the Times'. Chris DeGarmo would leave the band and the end of the tour.

'Q2K' was a new Queensryche for a new millennium. Guitarist Kelley Grey replaced DeGarmo, but was not judged favorably. The industry was not impressed either, and where once the mighty 'ryche played large arenas, the 'Q2K' tour was largely a string of smaller clubs. Kelley would not return for any future studio recordings.

'Tribe' was something of a rebirth for Queensryche. Mike Stone replaced Kelley Grey, and by all accounts has made a much better fit for the band. While they have not returned to superstar status, 'Tribe' was good step up, and a disc worthy of the 'Queensryche' name.

Finally, in 2006, Geoff Tate returned to story that started it all, and brought us 'Operation:Mindcrime II'. It was a huge gamble, risking the Queensryche legacy. If 'Mindcrime II' failed to live up to the original, the fans would never forgive. There was no need to worry - the new disc delivered on all fronts.

I can't wait to see what comes next!

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