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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
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here to get Queensryche - Live Evolution from
Click
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