In April 2022, QUEENSRŸCHE finished a five-week North American tour supporting metal gods JUDAS PRIEST. The tour had been not only marked the first time in two years that both bands were able to return to the live stage, but more so for the legendary Bellvue, Washington progressive metal quintet, it had sparked a sudden rejuvenation – the sound of a band locked-in and firing on all cylinders. (more…)

After selling more than twenty million records up to date Queensrÿche returns with a remarkably strong album called ‘Digital Noise Alliance’. It is the fourth album with vocalist Todd La Torre and the follow up to their also excellent album ‘The Verdict‘, which was released in 2019. That album proved that Queensrÿche was still a metal force to be reckoned with and it featured impressive tracks like ,,Portrait” and ,,Bent”. (more…)

Believe or not this is the first Queensryche studio album I have reviewed. This seems strange to me because I have been a fan of Queensryche since 1984 and writing for Metal-Rules.com since 2001, which covers seven or eight albums worth of Queensryche studio releases. However, for a big chunk of that time, I was not a big fan of what the band was doing for about 20 years from 1994 to 2013. The old saying goes, if you don’t have anything nice to say…. and besides other staff members were willing to cover those albums so all is well. (more…)

What a glorious day when you are handed The Verdict for an early listen. As a long-devoted fan of Queensrÿche I have seen all the ups and downs unfold over the past few years and like a phoenix from the flames Queensrÿche have risen and spread their wings with spectacular fashion. The Verdict is like nothing the fans have heard for many years, it oozes a heaviness that had gone missing but still stays true to its progressive roots. (more…)

As “The Verdict” begins with “Blood of the Levant”, it immediately calls to mind a time when QUEENSRYCHE was a true force to be reckoned with. In the late nineties the band was inventive and innovative. A stunning mix of Hair Metal and Prog. Realistically, they served as a bridge between the sub-genres. They sparked an onslaught of bands trying to capture a sliver of that style and magic. No one can deny how influential “Operation Mindcrime” was, and in my mind, “Empire” was just as important. But there was always a part of me that still craved the rawness found on “The Warning”. Somehow, some way they’ve found that magical fountain of youth. “The Verdict” is a thrilling blend of all eras of QUEENSRYCHE.
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