Queensrÿche

I have to hand it to Queensryche. They were on top of it. Musically and vocally flawless. Huge sound. Every bit as good as when I saw them with the original lineup in 1991. Smaller production, obviously, but fun and fitting. The new singer is phenomenal and very charismatic. Everyone was at the top of their game, and for a band that has been (mostly) together for 40 years, that is crazy. The setlist was a great mix of new stuff and classic. The whole band was fully engaged and having a great time. Very impressive show.

John 5 was ridiculous. Jaw-droppingly amazing virtuoso talent. I don't think I have ever seen a more technically proficient guitarist EVER. Normally I'm not super into guitar instrumental wankery, but he LOVES music, loves playing guitar and loves performing, and his energy is infectious. He also played banjo and what looked to be a kid's mini-scale First Act guitar. And, yeah, he was amazing on both. Crazy show, too. At one point he did a medley, which for some might've been cheesy, but he literally crammed like 30-40 (Who knows? We all lost count.) of the best and most iconic guitar riffs from all of rock music into one crazy schizophrenic bout of musical ADD with the highest level of technical prowess. He is so good it makes me feel kind of sorry for his band, who are also ridiculously talented ... but who can take their eyes of a guy that is both a consummate showman and quite possibly one of the best guitarists to ever pick up the instrument? Rock, metal, Chet Atkins and Roy Clark-style chicken picking, shredding worthy of EVH in his prime. Freaking guy can do anything with a stringed instrument. He's so crazy good, it makes you feel like you've never even seen someone play the instrument correctly before. I didn't know tons about him before the show (other than his work with Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie), but he definitely made a fan last night.

Unfortunately, Eve to Adam wasn't really my thing. I mean, they tried hard and seemed affable enough. Just not my style. With song titles like "Straightjacket Supermodel," you kind of know what you're in for. They are all talented musicians, though, and certainly gave it their all. Not a bad bunch by any means, just not crazy about their music.

What can I say about this Queensryche show except WOW! They've long been a favourite of mine, and I've been fortunate enough to see them many times over their long and brilliant career. They opened with the powerful Blood Of The Levant off the new album, The Verdict (absolutely brilliant album by the way). The crowd was rocking out and singing along from the first note. The rest of the set was a mix of more from the new album combined with lots of classic Queensryche spanning nearly their entire catalog. I also can't say enough about how fantastic Todd LaTorre is on vocals. If I'm honest, he can sing rings around their former vocalist (who shall not be named) and sounds equally at home on their older stuff as he is on the newer material since he joined the band.Eddie Jackson is one of the best bass players in hard rock and metal and he takes up a lot of backing vocals and sounds great. The dual guitars of Michael Wilton and Parker Lundgren work well and they play off each other perfectly. Casey Grillo (formerly of Kamelot) rounds things out on drums. They are still very much a top notch metal band and if you have the chance to see them, I highly recommend it.

Progressive metal rockers Queensrÿche have now been touring for over three decades so there is no surprise that each of the members are of the highest level of skill on their respective instruments. Although they have gone through various lineup alterations, the current lineup is a strong touring machine with great onstage rapport and a real ability to whip the crowd into frenzy with classic tracks.

The stage show is of little decoration but much to the delight of fans the amps are huge and the guitar riffs are unforgiving. The ageing band really does attack the stage with an unrivalled amount of passion and create an anthemic atmosphere during 'Eyes of a Stranger'. Other highlights come in the form of 'Queen Of The Ryche' which sounds as momentous as when it was first released over three years ago as well as an extended version of 'I Am I'. They hold back 'Jet City Woman' for the encore so as to get the whole room singing along for one final time.

I've been a fan of this band from the very early days, beginning in about 1986 or so. I've seen them several times over the years,watched their evolution as a band and seen the differences because of line up changes.

As most Queensryche fans know, the band has parted ways with their original lead singer, Geoff Tate. One of the things I've loved so much about this band is the powerful vocals. And in recent years, I hate to say it, but Geoff's vocal style has changed,not bad necessarily, but not what he used to be.

Now enters Todd LaTorre, of Crimson Glory as their new lead singer. Todd has breathed new life into a band that I feared were on their way out. He has all of the power to be able to perform the classics like Take Hold Of The Flame and Queen Of The Reich, and he sounds incredible on their newer material as well. His presence has refreshed and reinvigorated an incredible group of musicians.

Queensryche- Atlanta, Ga. 4 may 2016

So, in my concert history, I have seen 3 separate versions of Queensryche. The original on the "rage" tour (opening for Ratt). The Tate version in ATL a year ago. Now the "latest" version of this great band. To be honest, I love all three so I won't be picking one over the other in this review. The show I saw this month was fantastic! In this venue we were right up front. The visuals on the led screens were tight. The sound was spot on. Most importantly, the band was phenomenal. With an amazingly accurate lead singer belting out the greats like Tate wishes he still could, this latest version of 'ryche comes out swinging and never lets up. They pull some deep tracks out to play and hit all the ones you want to hear with only one glaring omission...but I won't be the spoiler. Bottom line, if you love Queensryche...go! Don't miss this powerful performance.

The concert overall was ok, just ok because the sound wasn't what I expected and used to from their last show I had seen (~2 years ago); a quiet disappointing experience was the "meet & greet": even though there were maybe 40 people at max that purchased these rather expensive meet & greet tickets the band did not spend any time greeting or meeting their fans; everybody had about 10 seconds to get a photo with the band and the photo was taken with a cellphone and I was told I would receive an email with the link to the photo... guess what, I didn't receive anything; also no handshake and no autograph, nothing; I'll never purchase a meet & greet ticket again.

I really enjoyed the show. I sadly, had to leave early because my mother was picking me up. But atleast I got a chance to see u guys for the 2nd time. Eve to Adam and John 5 were amazing, but the final act Queensryche was the best. I hope The Verdict Tour was fun for u guys, even though the album itself was incredible. I only had 2 regrets, 1 being me leaving early, cuz Queensryche is my favorite band. And the other being Not buying VIP passes cuz I would have liked to meet and greet with u guys. But anyway if u guys (Queensryche) r reading this, Queensryche will always be one of my favorite bands and I will definitely see u guys again sometime.

I couldn't believe it!

What an amazing show . . . .after all of these years these guys rock hard!

Being a loyal fan of Geoff Tate, I couldn't believe how great the new guy is!

Todd La Torre - get used to the name - what a great voice - I absolutely love the new album The Verdict. He is awesome on the album.

Todd could also sing the 'classics' without an issue WOW!

This band is NEW and Classic at the same time!

The rest of the band jammed as always - this is my fourth 'Ryche show - first with the new dude.

I am gonna try to see them again before the end of the tour.

Nik

Very disappointed... They sounded like a garage band in a garage... The Venue is a location I will never attend again... The sound and lighting were the worst I've seen in Utah or Idaho..... The singer seemed more intent on getting smashed than singing.... You could tell they were' just going through the motion.....no energy at all... I have tickets for forthall but I've wasted enough time any money on them.....oh Meytal the opener was terrific.......

Absolutely Amazing night of Queensrÿche!
Wow!!!! The band just seems to get better with age. Todd's vocals are incredible and compliment the setlist old and new songs alike.
I have been a Rÿche fan since 1984 and it is always a great concert when they play.
If you are not sure about seeing them all I can say is GO!!!!!!! You will not be disappointed.
The only thing I would change : drop the 2 opening acts and play a much longer set.