Queensrÿche - The Verdict - review
Queensrÿche - The Verdict - review
Tracklist
01. Blood Of The Levant02. Man The Machine
03. Light-Years
04. Inside Out
05. Propaganda Fashion
06. Dark Reverie
07. Bent
08. Inner Unrest
09. Launder The Conscience
10. Portrait
A review by
nikarg July 07, 2019
A big part of this totally unexpected comeback must be credited to Todd La Torre, who has replaced Geoff Tate by sounding very much like... a young Geoff Tate. Despite the fact that Tate is one of the greatest vocalists in the history of heavy metal, the split with Queensrÿche and the choice of La Torre as his replacement was the best thing that could happen to the band. There is no need for comparisons though; Todd is a very talented singer and has also taken over drum duties in Queensrÿche's latest release (Scott Rockenfield has been on a break from the band for the last couple of years), which only proves that his current influence on the group is stronger than ever. And even though his drumming does not do much more than follow Rockenfield's path, his impressive vocal range and performance would give young Tate a run for his money (damn, didn't I just say that there is no need for comparisons?).
But how does the album sound?
While Queensrÿche and Condition Hüman were both leaning toward the sound of the classics Operation: Mindcrime and Empire, The Verdict feels like it should have come after Promised Land. Compared to its two predecessors, The Verdict is a more introspective affair, which successfully blends heavy metal, prog and even grunge and alternative, yet it is still unmistakeably Queensrÿche. Longtime fans will be pleased to listen to trademark energetic cuts like "Blood Of The Levant" and "Man The Machine" or to Eddie Jackson's domineering bass driving the magnificent "Light-years". I am also pretty sure that "Portrait" will flood you with memories of the old magic. But this album is not just another day at the office.
It is a welcome surprise to find out that The Verdict is not all-typical Queensrÿche of yore; "Inside Out" boasts some Eastern vibes and "Propaganda Fashion" hints at the early Warrior Soul years with a grunge undertone, while "Dark Reverie" has an alternative-sounding chorus that violently breaks the song's dark and dramatic flow. This expansion of sound paired with the inclusion of elements off the band's late '90s to late '00s efforts -sans the lack of creativity and inspiration of those releases- gives the album extra pull. The songwriting in general is more adventurous and multifaceted, and the numerous shifts of "Bent" or "Launder The Conscience" are good examples to give you an idea of what I mean.
As a result, The Verdict is more daring than Queensrÿche and Condition Hüman, and takes the band forward to a new era with plenty of confidence, while not straying too far away from the re-established winning formula. Drawing nearer to their 40-year anniversary, Queensrÿche seem to have healed their wounds for good and are relevant again.
"There are many truths behind these eyes that you see
On one side love and laughter, the other darkened disbelief"
Comments
Comments:
12
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 Posts: 3593 |
Posts: 3593
Still have to listen to this. Anyone knows why Scott doesn't play drums in the album?
---- Crackhead Megadeth reigns supreme.
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Posts: 8260 Written by Maco on 08.07.2019 at 00:29 He had a son in early 2017 I think and wanted to spend time with him, but I'm sure there is something else going on too. I can understand not going on tour but it doesn't make sense that he was not part of the album at all. I'll be surprised to see him coming back.
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 Posts: 64480 |
Posts: 64480
I Never Believe in live, this band is not real anymore
---- I stand whit Ukraine and Israel. They have right to defend own citizens. Stormtroopers of Death - "Speak English or Die"  I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
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Posts: 5653 Written by Bad English on 08.07.2019 at 07:09 not real? are they UNREAL? QR still has three original members. their best since Geoff left
---- I thought the two primary purposes for the internet were cat memes and overreactions.
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Posts: 64480 Written by John_Doe on 08.07.2019 at 12:49 They dont play music what i Want them to play, their ep was best plus few songs from operation and 1992 album.
---- I stand whit Ukraine and Israel. They have right to defend own citizens. Stormtroopers of Death - "Speak English or Die" I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
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Posts: 5653 Written by Bad English on 08.07.2019 at 13:27 LOL so if they don't play they the music you want them to play, they are not real? right...  they did not release an album in 1992... 
---- I thought the two primary purposes for the internet were cat memes and overreactions.
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Posts: 141  |
Posts: 141
This band delivers what Queensryche originally did. The live performance even better with all the classics. Thi IS Queensryche now. It's fantastic!:banger:
---- No time like the present
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Posts: 64480
Silent lucidy, jet city woman was from 90,s
---- I stand whit Ukraine and Israel. They have right to defend own citizens. Stormtroopers of Death - "Speak English or Die" I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
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Posts: 5653 Written by Bad English on 08.07.2019 at 15:10 these two songs are from Empire, released in 1990. do you make no difference between "90s" and "1990"?
---- I thought the two primary purposes for the internet were cat memes and overreactions.
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Posts: 64480 Written by John_Doe on 08.07.2019 at 15:45 I thought it was 92 not 90. I love first ep, few songs from mindcrime and few from empire, rest never was my cup of cace, but I and anti love song is awesome, i like anti love songs
---- I stand whit Ukraine and Israel. They have right to defend own citizens. Stormtroopers of Death - "Speak English or Die" I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
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Posts: 8260 Written by John_Doe on 08.07.2019 at 12:49 I'm inclined to agree.
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Posts: 5653 Written by Bad English on 08.07.2019 at 16:11 it's not an anti love song (whatever it may mean to you), it's a concept album, it's what happens to the character in the story.
---- I thought the two primary purposes for the internet were cat memes and overreactions.
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