Reviews  |  Features  |  Photo Gallery  |  ShredRadio  |  Indie Reviews  |  Forums  |  Hall of Shame  |  Contact Us
 
 

C D  R e v i e w

  
Queensryche - Live Evolution
Queensryche - Live Evolution
Sanctuary Records
Overall Rating
The Breakdown
8.5 out of 10
Shred
7
 
Production
7
 
Vibe
10
 
Songwriting
10
 
  

Queensryche is one of the most influential bands out there. With classic albums like Rage For Order, The Warning and the legendary Operation: Mindcrime, Queensryche helped to redefine the Prog-Metal genre while blowing open the doors for bands like Dream Theater to come through. Coming off their most successful tour in years with Iron Maiden and Halford, Live Evolution is a celebration of the band's illustrious career.

The album is divided in 4 "Suites" which brilliantly cover the different aspects of the band's career. The album flows very well and is a great listen if only because of the great material throughout. Now on to the highlights...

Scott Rockenfeld - I'll be damned if Scott isn't the most underrated drummer on Earth. The guy plays like an octopus on speed. His chemistry with Bassist Eddie Jackson is unrivaled and his playing on Live Evolution is the backbone of the album and provides many of it's highlights.

Geoff Tate - Tate is one of the premier vocalists of Rock, and although his voice has lost a little of the glass-shattering sky-high notes, he is still as solid as ever and takes his voice places where James LaBrie only wishes he could take his.

Michael Wilton - All of his solos are amazing. The man has a knack for melody and harmony.

Pamela Moore - Her duet with Tate on "Suite Sister Mary" is incredible. What chemistry!

Speaking of chemistry, I really must say that Chris DeGarmo is really missed. Although Kelly Gray is adept, the killer chemistry and signature harmonies between DeGarmo and Wilton are gone, and are missed. Gray seems to be playing in his own world and his solos are not very satisfying to the ear. That's just a small sour grain in a sea of sweets, though.

Live Evolution gets a definite thumbs up from this writer. The CD has given me a reason to revisit and celebrate the music of Queensryche and I will be playing it often. Fans of any kind of Prog-oriented music must own Live Evolution.

Shred Pick: Rage/Mindcrime Suite (Tracks 9-17)

Reviewed by Henry Bocanegra

Artist Website: www.queensryche.com

Label Website: www.sanctuaryrecordsgroup.com

Click here to get Queensryche - Live Evolution fromAmazon.com
Click here to get Queensryche - Live Evolution fromCDNOW

 

Copyright 1999-2000 Kevin Ryan/The House of Shred. All rights reserved. No part of this page may be reproduced without written permission of the Webmaster.