QUEENSRYCHE

10.10.2006

House of Blues, Anaheim, California

Let me apologize first for being absent for so long.  Rather than bore you all with the “why”'s, let’s just jump right into the next feature I have for you. This one is very special and  important to me personally, as my work with Michael Wilton is highly documented, so the rest of this is self explanatory.

Queensryche is to be hitting Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee on November 15, 2006.  Make sure you catch this 3 hour long set with the boys and their cast as I've never seen them before live and I was at a loss for words after this show.  (Trust me, a loss for words is not common in my world).  Most people I know have seen Queensryche at some point and time in their life, so you already know how amazing this legendary band is.

I'm going to take the quick out here, and let my photo's tell the story of this incrediable night as pictures tell the story when it comes to this band! Included with the photos is a review of the show from Queensryche diehard, Sue Oliver. Enjoy!

There are concerts and then there are Queensryche shows. With no opening
act on this tour, they perform the landmark 1988 album
Operation:Mindcrime and its sequel, this year’s Operation:Mindcrime II,
back-to-back in their entirety. In case quality musicianship and good
songs aren’t enough for you, the story of Nikki, Sister Mary and Dr. X
is also visually depicted via video and live actors onstage throughout
the show. The audience for this sold out show was diverse and
enthusiastic--from a 7-year-old girl to those dressed as characters in
the story. I never saw a nun at a rock concert before.
The first set of familiar favorites was flawless. After the video clip
for I Remember Now, the band hit the stage for Anarchy X and never
slowed down. Geoff Tate’s voice was in top form, the best I’ve heard in
a few years. He also displayed acting skills, portraying Nikki as he
sang. The dual guitar attack of Michael Wilton and Mike Stone was
nothing short of amazing as they traded off riffs and solos. Scott
Rockenfield’s drum kit is considerably larger and reminiscent of his
original Mindcrime setup. The other half of this rock solid rhythm
section is bass player Eddie Jackson, whose backup vocals and bass
seemed more up front in the mix. Last but not least is the unofficial
sixth band member, Pamela Moore, reprising her role as Sister Mary. Like
Tate, her duties included both singing and acting. She was very
energetic and looked super sexy.
A short intermission of about 15 minutes and then O:M II concluded the
story. Diehard fans have waited 18 years to find out who killed Mary. To
me, there was a noticeable difference presentation-wise from the first
set with an emphasis on theatrics. These songs sound significantly
different stylistically due to a lineup change (original guitar player
and songwriter Chris DeGarmo came and went a couple times, the last
being early 2003). Also, for the first time, a non-band member (producer
Jason Slater) receives songwriting credit on
The audience enthusiasm dropped slightly but the set was very well
received. For the song The Chase (recorded as duet between Tate and
Ronnie James Dio, whose only appearance for the tour was on Oct. 5) they
performed only the music live with the singers recorded and viewable on
the video screens.
The unexpected highlight for me was the encore. Persistent chanting and
cheering by the crowd brought the band back onstage for Empire and Jet
City Woman. Everyone went absolutely wild and sang along loudly, at
times drowning out Tate's singing. Without any actors or theatrics,
there was a feeling of intimacy and more audience interaction with the
band that drove the energy level through the roof.

Thanks to all involved with Queensrcyhe, as over the last year or so, the more people I meet involved with this huge production have all been beyond kind and helpful.   From management, members, crew, and everyone else that is Queensryche, you all have had a part in my experience with this special and unique entity.

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