Queensrÿche is an American progressive metal, heavy metal and hard rock band. They were based in Bellevue, Washington.
On the way to Queensryche
In the early 80s, Mike Wilton and Scott Rockenfield were members of the Cross+Fire collective. This group was fond of performing cover versions of famous singers and bands performing compositions in the heavy metal genre.
Later, the team was replenished with Eddie Jackson and Chris DeGarmo. After the appearance of new musicians, the group changes its name to The Mob. The group decides to take part in one of the rock festivals. For this they needed a vocalist. The guys offered cooperation to Jeff Tate.
At this time, this performer was part of another team - Babylon. But after the disappearance of the group, the vocalist begins to collaborate with The Mob. True, he was forced to leave the team. The fact is that the artist did not want to work in the heavy metal genre.
The band recorded a demo in 1981. This little collection includes 4 songs. In particular, "Queen of the Reich", "The Lady Wore Black", "Blinded" and "Nightrider". It is important that D. Teitu worked with the team at that time. Moreover, the artist did not leave his team Myth.
The guys tried to record their tracks on professional equipment. They offered recordings to various studios. But in response, they heard only refusals.
Rename a group
At this time, the team changes the manager. This specialist recommended that the guys change the name of the group. They decided to take part of the title of one of their compositions - Queensrÿche. It is important that the team was the first to put an umlaut over the “Y”. After that, they repeatedly joked that this symbol had haunted them for decades. The children had to explain how to pronounce it correctly.
It should be noted that the demo was in demand in the music market. Her popularity has led to Kerrang! published a rave review. The guys, inspired by success, release a small album with the same name. This happened in 1983.
Recording was organized on the personal label 206 Records. It was the team's first major success. After the release of the EP, Tate agrees to work with the band. In the same year they sign a cooperation agreement with EMI. Immediately there is a re-release of a successful record. The popularity continues to grow. The debut album rises to 81 on the Billboard chart.
Creativity Queensrÿche from 1984 to 87 or two albums
In 1983, the guys did a little tour to support the mini-record. Immediately after its completion, the team goes to work in London. There they begin cooperation with producer D. Guthrie. At this time, the guys are preparing a new, already full-fledged album. This work appears in 1984. She was called "The Warning".
The album is based on compositions in the genre of progressive metal. The commercial success of the work was somewhat higher. According to Billboard, the album occupies the 61st line of the rating. It is worth noting that not a single track from the debut work made it to the American ratings. "Take Hold of the Flame" became popular among music connoisseurs in Japan. This album was supported by an American tour. The guys performed on the heating of Kiss performances. This famous band held the Animalize tour.
Two years later, a new record "Rage for Order" was released. Tracks gradually change the image of the group. You can hear the defiant sound of the keyboards. At that time, the style was more like glam metal.
In 1986, the first video was filmed for the track "Gonna Get Close to You". The author is Lisa Dalbello. In addition, "Rage for Order" was created. But this composition was not included in the specified album. The song itself was reworked and turned into an instrumental episode. Somewhat later the composition was changed. A new version called "Anarchy-X" was included on the "Operation: Mindcrime" LP.
New compilation and the development of the band's creative career
Two years later, a kind of disc “Operation: Mindcrime” is released. It is about the drug addict Nikki. He not only abuses drugs, but also takes part in terrorist attacks. Immediately after the release of the album, a protracted tour began. It is worth noting that the group toured throughout 1988 and 89. Including, they perform together with other famous performers.
The most famous record "Empire" appears in 1990. This is the group's most popular work. Commercial success exceeded the profits of the first 4 albums combined. In addition, the disc took the 7th line in the Billboard TOP. More than 3 million copies of the record were sold in America alone. In England, she was awarded silver status.
Experts note the composition "Silent Lucidity". It was recorded together with the orchestra. The ballad itself was in the TOP-10 ratings. Simultaneously with the release of this album, a new tour begins. In this case, the team acts as the main one. Until that moment, they did not perform on their own and were not the main team on their own tour. This tour was one of the longest. It lasted 1.5 years.
The tour ended with a long break for the band. They started working in 1994. The resumption of activity was marked by the release of the disc "Promised Land". The album itself managed to rise to number 3 in the ratings. It has been certified platinum.
Significant changes in the work of the team
In early 1997, the album "Hear in the New Frontier" appears. Immediately after the release, the album was placed on the 19th line of the ratings. But she almost instantly left all the charts. A new tour was immediately scheduled. But due to Tate's illness, the concerts were cancelled.
At the same time, the EMI studio declares bankruptcy. Despite everything, the team completes the tour at their own expense. They ended their performances in August. After that, the guys run to South America. Upon returning home, DeGarmo announced his departure.
Queensrÿche work until 2012
Instead of DeGarmo, K. Gray becomes the guitarist after signing an agreement with Atlantic Records. The first album was "Q2K". This work was not appreciated by fans. In 2000, the guys recorded a collection of hits. Immediately after that, they go on tour to support Iron Maiden. As part of their tour performances, they managed to visit the stage of Madison Square Garden for the first time in their career.
Already in 2001, they begin cooperation with Santuary Records. This year the band is performing in Seattle. All tracks were included in the album "Live Evolution". Almost immediately after this, Gray leaves the group. The only album that was created in the new studio was "Tribe". DeGarmo takes part in it. But he does not officially join the team. Instead of Gray, Stone joined the group.
Creativity of the team to this day
Gradually, the team began to develop their past records. In particular, they worked on their main character Nikki. In support of the record, released in 2006, Pamela Moore is going on tour with the band.
It should be noted that the work of the team has undergone significant changes in 2012. They were connected with the fact that Geoff Tate left the group. After that some problems started. In particular, the artist tried to secure copyright over many tracks. On July 13, the court ruled that all members of the team can mention the brand. Including Tate. Until 2014, there were 2 Queensrÿche bands. The first is the Tate team. The second - together with frontman T. La Torre
On April 28.04.2014, 2016, the court decided that Tate had no right to use the band's name. He retains the right to perform compositions from two records. This is "Operation: Mindcrime", and the second version of the said album. Since XNUMX, Taylor has been presented exclusively as a solo artist with no connection to the American rock band.
Thus, during the existence of the group released 16 albums in different recording studios. In addition, there is one mini-disc in the discography. The current composition of the team: T. La Torre, P. Lundgren, M. Wilton, E. Jackson and S. Rockenfield. The team continues to perform previously recorded compositions. At the same time, they perform, mainly in clubs and restaurants. There are practically no concerts in large arenas. Despite this, popularity in certain circles remains.
