Queensrÿche

Biography

Queensrÿche is an American progressive metal band formed in Bellevue, Washington, in 1982. The original lineup consisted of vocalist Geoff Tate, guitarists Chris DeGarmo and Michael Wilton, bassist Eddie Jackson, and drummer Scott Rockenfield. The band's roots trace back to the late 1970s when Wilton formed the band Joker, which eventually evolved into the Mob with the addition of DeGarmo, Jackson, and Rockenfield. Tate, who was then the frontman for a band called Babylon, was recruited for a one-off performance and eventually became their permanent singer.

Early Years and Breakthrough

The band initially gained attention with their self-titled EP, Queensrÿche (1983), which was released on their own 206 Records label. The success of the EP, particularly the song "Queen of the Reich," led to a contract with EMI Records. Their debut full-length album, The Warning (1984), and its follow-up, Rage for Order (1986), showcased the band's evolving sound, which blended heavy metal with more complex, progressive elements. These albums helped establish them as a key player in the burgeoning progressive metal scene.

Operation: Mindcrime and Mainstream Success

In 1988, Queensrÿche released the landmark concept album Operation: Mindcrime. This rock opera tells a complex story of a political and social revolutionary and became a massive critical and commercial success, solidifying their reputation as innovators in metal. The follow-up album, Empire (1990), was even more successful commercially, propelled by the hit power ballad "Silent Lucidity," which earned them a Grammy nomination and an MTV Video Music Award. This period saw the band achieve worldwide fame, selling over 20 million albums.

Lineup Changes and Later Career

Following the success of Promised Land (1994), founding guitarist and primary songwriter Chris DeGarmo left the band in 1998, a significant change for their creative dynamic. The band continued with various guitarists filling the role. The subsequent years saw the release of several albums, including a sequel, Operation: Mindcrime II, in 2006.

The Split with Geoff Tate

In 2012, internal conflicts led to the highly publicized firing of lead vocalist Geoff Tate. This resulted in a legal battle over the band's name, with both parties touring under the Queensrÿche moniker for a period. A settlement was reached in 2014, granting Wilton, Jackson, and Rockenfield the exclusive rights to the Queensrÿche name. Tate went on to form a new band called Operation: Mindcrime.

The Todd La Torre Era

With Todd La Torre, formerly of Crimson Glory, as their new lead vocalist since 2012, Queensrÿche has released several albums, including Queensrÿche (2013), Condition Hüman (2015), The Verdict (2019), and Digital Noise Alliance (2022). This new lineup has been praised for returning to the band's heavier, progressive metal roots. The current lineup features Michael Wilton, Eddie Jackson, Todd La Torre, Mike Stone, and Casey Grillo.