I do enjoy the really old stuff. Side note. I met Geoff Tate around 2011 in Lincoln, Nebraska when he was doing a small club tour. I got paid $100 for 3hrs to work security for his acoustic show. That guy was belting it out like he was singing for a metal band. He was also really friendly and personable with the crowd. He bought me and my friend that was also working security that night a couple drinks. He was just a really friendly, nice guy that day. I know some people have their opinions of the guy. I thought, from what I read that he might not be a friendly guy. I’m glad to say I was wrong. On that day, he was a wonderful person to hang out with.
@@RuthlessMetalYT That night his voice was amazing. It was a real small crowd, maybe 50 people. I always wanted to hear Queen of the Reich live. In concert not video.
@@RuthlessMetalYT I think you're talking about, Gonna get close to you? I love that song lol. I listened to RFO as a kid and here we are 30 something years later and it's still in the rotation 🤘
Rage For Order is such an absolute amazing album. Chris DeGarmo, in my opinion, had demonstrated the peak of his creativity behind the guitar. Such an array of sounds.
Saw Queensryche over the weekend. Definitely not my usual 'metal' concert. I did enjoy that 60+% of the concert was Operation Mindcrime (top of the list IMO).
Queens of the Ryche!!! Was a Band I never liked at first. 16: Dedicated to Chaos 15: Operation Mindcrime II 14: American Soldier 13: Frequency Unknown 12: Q2K 11: Here in the now Frontier 10: Tride 9: Promised Land 8: The Verdict 7: Queensryche 2013 6: Condition Human 5: Empire 4: Rage for Order 3: Operation Mindcrime 2: The Warning 1: Queensryche EP
I disagree with this list just a little, Promised Land is way better than the 2013 self title, and Condition Human and Promised land are both just as good, and the rest of your list is a fair comparison.
Really like this list. I really like condition human and the verdict with Todd La Torre along with the old stuff. Empire, promised land, and of course Operation mind crime and rage for order. Some really good songs on other albums.
I remember the day "Empire" was released. Me and my friends bought it, brought it home, listened...and we were like, "So, this is how they decided to follow up one of the greatest concept albums of all time. Huh...?!"
I wouldn't say I was disappointed when I first heard Empire in 1990, but it didn't come close to the impact Mindcrime had on me a couple years earlier. I will say to my dying day that Silent Lucidity is a fantastic song and one of those hits that deserved all the airplay.
@@RuthlessMetalYT I find it very interesting that you also love Metal Church! Both are "Seattle" bands, Queenryche was North side of the lake and Metal Church was South side/ Kent Valley. Grew up in the area at the time.
I discovered Queensrÿche in my early teens when I saw the music video for "Queen of the Reich" on Vh1, and it absolutely blew me away!!! The debut-EP is phenomenal! I also agree with Geoff Tate being one of the best vocalists in Metal. The high notes that he takes with such ease is just amazing!
I have to agree with almost everything you said. Although, I always struggle with which of their top 3 albums is the best. Thanks. The loss of DeGarmo, Tate and now Rockenfield has kind of left me numb as they will never be the same, ever again.
In 1983, my friend and i got two albums at Tower Records in their import section, in Sacramento, CA- the hometown of Tower! The first was the QR EP, the second, All for one, by Raven. I took home the EP, my friend took home all for one. These two albums became the basis for my desire to become a singer, and much of my songwriting to this day. Geoff Tate, in his prime, was one of the most powerful baritones in music. The twin guitars of Wilton and DeGarmo were ground breaking(if anyone saw the Rage tour, their dual solo was the stuff of legend) and unique. Rockenfield’s ability to keep time is like a Swiss timepiece. I recently did a cover of I Don’t Believe in Love; his timekeeping, at 119bpm is immaculate. With only one spot that drifts throughout the entire song. Very skilled. Great video, great, inspirational band. I’d check out GT in Sweet Oblivion, where he sings his butt off for an old man
Agree with Warning being their best and probably one of the best US metal records ever. Fucking untouchable. Glad you mentioned the live in Tokyo video. It's stunning.
Really enjoyed this. Seems like we are into lots of the same metal bands . Really enjoy your videos keep it up \m/ live in Tokyo is killer really dig them playing prophecy on that
You got my rankings very close. Early Queensryche was unbeatable. A friend got the EP before going to a concert and we were amazed at Geoff Tate's voice and I learned that Chris DeGarmo's Lyrics and arrangements just spoke to me like no other. I alternate #1 between Rage For Order and The Warning based on mood. My heart broke when I heard about the anger and discord before Geoff Tate was fired. I have a friend (who worked security) who met the band and all of them, but especially Geoff were kind and generous with their time. They even posed for pictures back stage. I agree about the latter albums with Geoff becoming unlistenable by the end but I bought each one with the vague hope that it would signal a return to form. That did happen with Todd LaTorre, to a point. Todd can hit the high notes but doesn't always sing with the emotions and vibrance that Geoff, even to this day, adds to each and every song. Love the commentary in this video and I can only give you high praise for begrudgingly liking: I don't believe in love, lol.
My Ranking (Best to Worst): 1. Rage For Order (1986) 2. Promised Land (1994) - CRIMINALLY UNDERRATED 3. The Warning (1984) 4. Queensryche EP (1982) 5. Operation Mindcrime (1988) 6. Empire (1990) 7. Tribe (2003) - VERY UNDERRATED 8. Operation Mindcrime II (2006) - UNDERRATED 9. American Soldier (2009) - UNDERRATED 10. Q2K (1999) - Better than Hear in the Now Frontier 11. Hear In The Now Frontier (1997) 12. Take Cover (2007) 13. Dedicated To Chaos (2011)
I never enjoyed Queensryche until I dug into their super early stuff... then it was ahhh now I get it. I remember listening to Empire and thinking it was way overrated. The Warning and the self-titled EP are my favorites.
If you enjoyed the video then make sure to smash that LIKE button 👍 and don't forget to SUBSCRIBE 🔔 if you're new! 🔴 Patreon & Discord: www.patreon.com/user?u=54741783 💲 Donate: streamelements.com/ruthlessmetal/tip 💳 Ruthless Merch: merch.streamelements.com/ruthlessmetal 🤘 Ruthless Metal Blog: ruthlessmetal.blogspot.com/ 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/groups/176669589198816 🐦 Twitter: twitter.com/JimRuthless 🎵 Spotify: open.spotify.com/user/nla1154q1kamkscnp5z1d79h3?si=K1ujpPh_SLujafZ_WUHFwQ And don't forget to check out the Abigail horror story video that I made: th-cam.com/video/irnIQ1Fqpmo/w-d-xo.html Stay Heavy! 🤘
I've seen Queensryche live 14 times, one of my all time favorite bands. I love all the albums , except the last few Tate era albums. The Todd LA Toure era albums are all awesome especially " The Verdict " just killer!
@@RuthlessMetalYT I saw them open for KISS during the Warning Tour in Portland Oregon. Single best live performance by anyone I've seen over the years. And I've seen a lot of shows in my 50+ years.
1. Operation: Mindcrime (1988) 2. The Warning/Queensryche EP (1984/1983) 3. Rage for Order (1986) 4. Promised Land (1994) 5. Empire (1990) 6. Digital Noise Alliance (2022) 7. Condition Human (2015) 8. The Verdict (2019) 9. Queensryche (2013) 10. Operation: Mindcrime II (2006) 11. Hear In The Now Frontier (1997) 12. Take Cover (2007) 13. Frequency Unknown (2013) 14. Tribe (2003) 15. Q2K (1999) 16. American Soldier (2009) 17. Dedicated to Chaos (2011)
I met em in Hollywood in ‘06 and got my first 4 vinyls signed! Then walked across the street to Mann’s Chinese Theater and saw an advanced screening of Maiden’s Flight 666 doc! That was a Good Day fo’ sho’!!🤘🏼
I’m so glad you mentioned the ep! Can you please do Voivod, Annihilator, RUSH, Razor or Killer Dwarfs? I was ecstatic when you did Exciter a while ago.
I love 'Gonna Get Close to You'! Very interesting song. I did not know it was a cover until years later. Queensryche's decline in success seems mostly in part to lack of quality material. I realize grunge changed the landscape of hard rock/ metal but it appears Queensryche just didn't release much good material after the rise (and fall) of grunge. It's even more shocking how their split from Geoff Tate was so bitter, with him even spitting on the band mates during a concert!
for me it sounds like one of those drivel post-punk songs that were popular in the eighties. :) Yeah, they wen't in the wrong direction I think. They should have kept their metallic style.
@@RuthlessMetalYT Which isn't a strange pick for the cover, as Queensrÿche were one of the handful of 80s metal bands who did a crossover thing between metal and new wave scenes, along with Celtic Frost, Black Hole, Rogue Male and Turbo era Priest.
The Warning definitely my all time favorite Queensryche album, with one exception. I like the original band track listing as opposed to what was released by EMI. Way better in my opinion. Original track listing The Warning N M 156 En Force No Sanctuary Deliverance Take Hold of the Flame Before the Storm Child of Fire Warning Roads to Madness. Give it a listen. I haven't really listened to anything with Todd but I might check some stuff you recommended. I stopped following them after Promised Land. IMO at is a good album but did mark a significant change for them. Listened to Hear in the Now Frontier and then hung it up for them. I'm pretty much an 80s Queensryche fan.
Music with Todd, in my opinion, is a bunch of "let's go guys and make some noise" rather than well crafted music we are used to. But they tried something new and got a new fan base, so maybe they will find their calling again.
16. Frequency Unknown 15. Dedicated to Chaos 14. Q2K 13. Operation Mindcrime 2 12. Hear in the Now Frontier 11. American Soldier 10. Queensrÿche 2013 9. Tribe 8. Queensrÿche EP 7. Empire 6. Condition Human 5. Operation: Mindcrime 4. The Verdict 3. Rage for Order 2. Promised Land 1. The Warning
*My list* (studio only): *1)* Rage for Order *2)* Queensryche (EP) *3)* Promised Land *4)* The Verdict *5)* The Warning *6)* Empire *7)* Condition Human *8)* Queensryche (2013) *9)* Hear in the Now Frontier *10)* Q2K *11)* Tribe *12)* American Soldier *13)* Dedicated to Chaos *14)* Frequency Unknown (Geoff Tate's Queensryche) *Queensryche albums I never heard:* *1)* Operation Mindcrime *2)* Operation Mindcrime II *3)* Take Cover
You haven't heard Operation Mindcrime? Go and listen to it now, it's one of the best metal albums of all time. Cheers!
2 ปีที่แล้ว +2
Nice video! How about a Manilla Road ranking? Their discography is not long, but I think is worth of checking out. More suggestions: Razor, Sacrifice or Voivod (canadian thrash deserves some hearing too). Thanks!!!
I think it is important to mention Warrel Dane in this conversation. He was right there with Geoff Tate as well. What was to come with Sanctuary and Nevermore was legendary, and while never getting the album sales of QR, they are close to on par with them in many ways. A huge influence on the progressive metal world. May he rest in peace
Saw them before the E.P even came out. Do to the greatness of 1-4 +ep they are in my top 5 bands of all time. Even though I love Thrash and Hardcore, I am also a huge Prog fan; so....................> 1. Rage for Order 2. Operation: Mindcrime 3. The Warning 4. Empire 5.Promised Land 6. Queensryche(LaTorre) 7. Condition Human 8.Hear in the now frontier 9. Verdict 10.Q2K 11. Tribe 12. American Soldier 13. OM II 14. Dedicated to Chaos 15. F.U ... Just listen to the re-recorded tracks to show how much Geoff stopped caring about singing/music and the audience
Rage for Order was the first Queensryche album I bought back in 86. I remember hearing Walk in the Shadow on the radio one night and saying "Who the heck is that???" Back then I was mostly listening hair metal bands like Motley Crue, Twisted Sister, and Quiet Riot. But I think it was around 85/86 that I started listening to Dio and Iron Maiden, and Queensryche kind of sounded like a combination of the two. So I rushed out and bought Rage for Order and eventually I had gotten The Warning as well. So, those would be my top two Queensryche albums. After that would be Operation Mindcrime, Empire, Promised Land, Queensryche, Human Condition, The Verdict and then shuffle the rest of their albums like a deck of cards and label them 9 - 15. lol Because rest of them suck. Although Hear in the Now Frontier did have a couple catchy tunes that would get stuck in my head
Great band up to Empire album. I'm not a big fan of their later discography. My favorite is Operation Mindcrime - great concept album. On second place I put The Warning. Cheers!
There's no better reference than having been there in the early 80s just before the EP came out, hearing them on the local metal show, to living a life where Warning came out at the beginning of your senior year in high school. I saw them twice on The Warning tour, once on the Rage tour and maybe twice on the Mindcrime tour. Mindcrime was their swan song. Nothing after that felt like organic Queensryche. Only when Todd came into the fold did they start getting closer to that "Onch" sound, that harder influence once again. Great review, I enjoyed your points and found that we agreed on some key points in their history.
Great analyses and ranking, thanks for sharing. I was fortunate to actually enter my Queensryche appreciation at the EP. I bought it when it came out as it looked 'interesting' and I had a voracious appetite for metal and hard rock at the time. I found it stunning then and still do now many, many years later. I grew up on Tate, Dio and Halford - lucky me! PS - the first 2 Iron Maiden albums are the best too!
Hallo mr.Ruthless. Here again...after Black Sabbath album chart, now Queensryche. They used to be among my absolute favourites when I was a teenage headbanger; 'til "Promised Land". But, then, that album was so listening worthless and my tastes were shifting that I've really never listened a single track from the more recent albums, w/ or w/out Geoff Tate. The fact that you ranked them all at the bottom, combined with the top 4 positions which are, even not in the same order, the same as mine would be, makes me think I'haven't missed so much not listening to them... So, about the top 4... To my taste "Empire" is the least metallish work among (early, as far as I know) Queensryche's. But, don't know exactly why, I rate the songwriting in that album to be quite better than "Operation mindcrime" 's, which I put at 4th position: no track from the concept album that made Queensryche a kind of a superstar band in their worldwide reputation actually strikes my ears, mind and heart as (just for instance) a simple hard rock tune as "jet city woman" does. "Operation mindcrime" is definitely a pleasant listening but still it slips away from my ears as it did when it came out, having no single tune to remain in the head to be sung along shower-time! On the other way the early two albums have plenty of memorable tracks and I can't ever get tired of listening (meanwhile this happens with "Operation Mindcrime" and sometimes with "Empire") and (miserably trying to) singing them along. I perfectly understand the reason which made you put "the Warning" at 1st place: you are a true metalhead! That album is the masterpiece of a certain "techno-metal" which Judas Priest ("Screaming for vengeance" and "Defenders of the faith") started few years before, or even ("DotF") at the same time, and other bands (Crimson Glory, Fates Warning...) developed in a few, eventually uderrated, masterpieces of those years. I love that stuff, the distopic lyrics, the science-fictional atmospheres evocated by songwritng and production, it is still a part of me. But, to me, "Rage for Order" is at a different and upper level. It defines a new idea of heavy metal, a more complex and (at the time) totally unusual use of keyboards, effects, choruses, broken rhythm patterns and, last but not least, lyrically it's a great love-album, being couple relations the main subject its songs are about. "Rage for Order" set the boundaries of metal music at a further step which, in a certain way, hasn't been rivalled or even got close to, yet, by anyone. Anyway, I was lucky enough to see them performing live two times in the late 80's. The 1st one was in Dortmund (Metal Hammer festival, headlined by Ozzy Osbourne) when they performed some 50 mins. only, in a huge venue (die WestphalenHalle) with too many people to let me really enjoy the show. The 2nd one was in a small venue (Rolling Stone), which doesn't exist anymore, in Milan, and it was a plenty concert of their "Operation Mindcrime" tour. They jumped on stage by "Walk in the shadows" and I totally went crazy, because of it and because I though that meant a lot of "Rage for Order" to be performed. I was totally wrong: that was the only track from the 2ndLP they played that night. Instead they, obviously, performed "Operation Mindcrime" in its entirety, in its sequence, with some characters (sis. Mary and others) played by some stage co-performers (whose performance I dont' remember if it were just acting or chorusing too). But the show didn't end with it: they played "Queen of the reich" and "Blinded" (!!!! a total masterpiece: one of their best songs ever) from the EP. And, from "the Warning" and its recording session, they played the title track, "No sanctuary", "Take hold of the flame", "Prophecy", "Before the Storm" (but I'm not sure abt.it) and, mainly, a sumptuos and unforgettable version of "Roads to madness" which made me forgive them I could not listen any other song from "Rage for Order" but for the opening one. Recently Geoff Tate performed "Rage for Order" and "Empire" in their entirety here in Milan but I couldn't eventually go to see that show as I hadn't accepted the public-compulsory-injection which was necessary to have the so called "green pass" to enter the venue. It's a kind of damnation...but this discrimination I had to suffer ("With your pain I've had to suffer"-cit. "London") makes me feel very deeply involved and connected to the story they created, wrote, depicted in "Operation Mindcrime" and I think my, our, freedom is worth this "sacrifice" .
I saw the video for the Queen of the Reich back in 1984, became curious, ordered "The Warning", and almost 40 years later here we are. I think you made some interesting points with this video. I disagree on some of the albums, agree on some others. Somehow, it seems that there is 5-10 years of inspiration at best. Not only for Queensryche, but for most of them. Very rarely you bump into something really good and going on for decades... anyway: Best to worst: 1. Rage for Order - A1 to A5 real diamonds. I cannot tell what I like the most about this album, simply everything. My top three albums of all times. 2. Operation: Mindcrime - Real treasure, really liked it back then, now a little less (that is a little less than RFO) 3. Empire - A bit polished too much, but still very good. Also, loved it so much when it came out 4. The Warning - Was disappointed that it did not contain the Queen of the Reich, but a very good album. Roads to Madness - masterpiece 5. Promised Land - no surprises there, the last and the weakest of the big 5. Title song is perhaps far from Qryche, but very good. This album is a testament to their constant changes 6. Hear in the Now Frontier - this is perhaps a bit high, but weak points spoiled it just a bit for me. A few very good songs, despite an attempt to jump into the wagon at the time 7. American Soldier - I find this rather good 8. Tribe - So sorry that Chris gave up after this 9. Q2K - Listened it much at the time, but a moderate effort at best 10. Operation Mindcrime II - huge disappointment, but the one with RJD was actually one of the best moments for me 11. Condition Human - Obviously liked Geoff Tate much more 12. The Verdict - 13. Queensryche - 14. Dedicated to Chaos - amazing that they signed this as Queensryche. Tradition means s***. And just an observation on Geoff Tate and his recent singing. What is your thought on 'Seduction of Decay' from Avantasia. It really seems that he is lacking some good songwriting. He was obviously better when he was younger, but he can still pull good ones.
Queensryche is one of the greatest Progressive Metal bands of all time. The Warning, Rage for Order, Operation: Mindcrime and Empire are amazing albums. The Queensryche EP is a classic, and Promised Land is okay
That run through Empire just kills. I got to see them live for The Warning, Rage, Operation and Empire. I’m sure you know of the album Screamer - Target : Earth, check it out if not.
Check out the bootlegged footage from a metal club in NY 87. The film quality is obviously not great, but the Audio is not bad and the whole band are just on fire.
I always felt like they peaked at Operation Mindcrime. After that they just started going down hill for me. Empire had a few great songs, but overall not as strong as Operation Mindcrime and prior. Operation Mindcrime II was a clinic on disappointment.
I was in high anticipation of Mind Crime. When it came out, it was such a departure from the previous albums, it still is like a thorn in my side. Don't get me wrong, I like it, but after all these years, the disappointment still stings. Call be crazy.
A full discography minus the ep? Who can forget that scream from Geoff 25 seconds into their signature song? I remember exactly what I was doing when I first heard it. I'm 53 years old and I still listen to it.
Yeah I don't rank EP's, singles, live albums, box sets and such. it would make it like comparing apples and oranges. :) I love that EP though, definitely one of their best releases.
Btw, "Rage For Order" is also the first industrial metal record ever. Queensrÿche was the first heavy metal band who incorporated influences of industrial bands like Skinny Puppy and Laibach into metal. Slightly later, industrial bands like Ministry and Godflesh did the same in opposite way (incorporated metal into industrial). Then, since the mid 90s, the fusions between metal and industrial became widespread with various bands on both sides: Fear Factory, Rammstein, NIN, Die Krupps, Morbid Angel ("Domination" era), later Samael, Abruptum etc. I pick "Rage For Order" as #1, just slightly over "The Warning" and "Operation Mindcrime" because it was a record waaaay ahead it's time.
@@RuthlessMetalYT Yeah, it's still a record in a traditional metal realm, but on a detailed listen you can spot these earliest traits of industrial which was sweeping into metal on that record, for example Neue Regel track. It's also from mid 80s, when lots of heavy metal took some futuristic approach, which led to some interest in electronic music. Maiden came that year with "Somewhere In Time", using a guitar synths in production for a record with futuristic theme, but without some particular influence from electronic music. "Turbo" was an obvious mix of heavy metal and electronica, but on a lighter side of the spectrum, as it was no excuse sell-out that should top the charts, a mix with synthpop stuff like The Human League. "Rage For Order" was more serious deal, as they were into underground electro stuff at the time like Laibach. In some recent interview Geof Tate cited Skinny Puppy as a huge influence on the band at the time.
Empire only. In 91 I was in denmark for Monsters of rock. Instead of mötley there was blackcrows instead wich wasn´t bad. First time I recognize them. Metallica started wich I never cared about. Finally when B.C and Q.R appered I was so stoned my eyes visualized my friends starting to behave in a most unnatural ways. So surreal. Any who. This was the best concert of all.
Hey, man! Once again, pretty darn near my exact judgement, for the albums that matter. Operation Mindcrime is however personally meaningful in a way that means I rank it highest. But I know what you mean. Cheers.
So far, from the limited videos I've watched of yours, we have agreed on most everything. This one, Show No Mercy, Somewhere in Time, Stained Class are all my favorite records from those bands. I'm off to check out some more of your work. 🤘
@@RuthlessMetalYT Queensryche EP is probably the greatest. Here are some other suggestions: Overlorde SR (US) - Medieval Metal (1985), Valhalla (US) - Twelfth of Nowhere (1992), Savatage (US) - The Dungeons are Calling (1984), Agent (Ger) - Experience of Passion (1986), Traitors Gate (UK) - Devil Takes the Highroad (1985), Parasite (Swe) - Parasite (1984), Glacier (US) - Glacier (1985), Venator (Aus) - Paradiser (2020)...
Kudos on the rankings. Agree with your top 4, but would have put Rage at number 1. Such a tight album, without the ridiculous pretensions of Mindcrime. Still, love your work and keep it up!
I'd like to thank you Ruthless for that video. I listened to Operation: Mindcrime something like 20 years ago, but it just didn't get to me, as I was into some other type of metal. But after seeing your video, I told myself I had to give it a listen once more. And holy crap! What was wrong with me 20 years ago??? Operation: Mindcrime is a masterpiece. After the first complete listen, I played it from beginning to end three more times! The music is fantastic, Tate's voice is just amazing and the storyline just keeps on giving. So Thank you for posting that video. I'll give their other top albums a listen too. \m/
My favorite album by far is Operation Mindcrime (with The Mission being my favorite on the album), but my favorite song of their is off The Warning (Roads to Madness).
Good job! I did buy and enjoy the 90s Queensryche albums, especially Promised Land and Q2k. There's some good song writing there. But I agree that these are not "metal" albums per se. You are also so right about the new version of the band with LaTorre. The Verdict grabbed me from the first song and my love for Queensryche was re-ignited. It is now one of my favorite recent metal albums. I've seen the band live twice now in the last few years. They have good energy. I love LaTorre's whole vibe and attitude on stage. It's ironic that Queensryche, with new singer, guitarist, and even song writers is releasing albums that are better than the original lineup. By the way, I saw Queensryche on the Mindcrime 1 and 2 tour. They did both albums in full back to back. Ronny James Dio even showed up for his song on Mindcrime 2. Not long after, Dio died. It was the last time I saw him. But you are correct, as with the album, even Dio could not save the show. It was a disaster, with cheesy (low budget) props, Geoff Tate's theatrics and bad music in the second half of the show.
I have to admit most anything starting from Promised Land and after, I haven't listened to. Though I did give the first album with their new vocalist a spin and so far it's a real step up. I can't say it's Empire or Mindcrime all over again. I did like their EP most of all, the Maiden influence can't be ignored. But Empire got me into them though, so there's a nostalgia for it in my case. Just curious, any plans for ranking all the Accept or Saxon albums. Definitely curious as to what you feel about Accept from 2010 onward. Love the channel. :)
Pretty much dead agree with you here. I go back and forth between Mindcrime and Warning as their best. I love Rage except for the new wave element, and Empire has a few great songs buried in the radio metal. Promised Land is decent, and everything goes to hell after that until LaTorre shows up. Tate basically took over the band for the 2000s and it was terrible; the fact that they snapped back to form so completely when he was gone underscores how bad his ideas were in that period, and that no one else's were apparently getting through. That said, I also agree that there wasn't a singer who could touch Tate in his 80s prime. He was Freddie Mercury level, and I don't say that lightly.
I'm glad you've given Todd his due. As you said he's not Tate. Though all 4 of the Albums with Todd are resurrecting for Queensryche. First time I herd Todd was with crimson glory. Filling in Midnights shoes unbelievable. I thought then he'd be a great replacement for Queensryche.
Here in Canada the only songs I would hear are Silent Lucidity and Operation Mind Crime. Empire and Operation Mind Crime are the only albums you could normally find at the store, now with the internet you can get the rest. This is the layout for what I'm going to say. Apart from those two songs I had never heard of them. Silent Lucidity because of that weird tv show that had used it and also Much Music for the two songs. Unfortunately I was never able to enjoy them because of the limitations I mentioned. I did see them opening for Scorpions in New Brunswick a few years ago... they were ok. I do see the allure to them with Tate as the frontman. After all he had the pipes for it. Thanks for the ranking. I'll look into them some more. Maybe get a better take on them.
Operation: Mindcrime is my personal favourite from them. I always compare it to The Crimson Idol from W.A.S.P witch I think is even better. Both 11/10 for me.
Promised land is greatly underrated. Its a great great effort by the band and that tour was amazing. They should have professionally recorded that tour. The music is great. It stands well after empire. After this they should have stopped and taken a break to recharge and compose a proper Q. album. the first five albums of this band were astonishing good. The problem is all the trash that came after promised land. Poor management, lack of proper promotion, infighting and the absence of De Garmo really took a toll. I would have switched empire for rage for order. Even tough they are both great, Empire is just one of that special early 90's albums that lives in a special place in every metal banger's heart.
@@RuthlessMetalYT It was pretty cool. I was more into QR than TS but both bands put on great shows. QR had amazing musical chops for such a young band. TS was pure NYC attitude and very entertaining -Dee is a great frontman.
You don’t have to be strictly a metalhead to be a fan of this band. Their career had an arc, which made them interesting. This was my favorite band before it fell apart. And still is my favorite band in it’s original incarnation. My ranking is (FYI: I don’t consider Frequency Unknown a Queensrÿche record): 15 Dedicated to Chaos 14 The Verdict 13 Condition Human 12 Operation: Mindcrime II 11 Queensrÿche (2013 full length) 10 Tribe 9 American Soldier 8 Q2k 7 Hear in the Now Frontier 6 Promised Land 5 Queensrÿche (EP) 4 The Warning 3 Rage For Order 2 Operation: Mindcrime 1 Empire
@@RuthlessMetalYT - and once you did that what are your impressions? Beyond your metal bias? Edit: I understand what you’ve already said in the video. But I’m seeking insight beyond a metal bias.
well I think I go through most of it in the video. Some albums were laughably bad actually. I don't know if it was the lack of direction with producers and labels and that their sound back then had so much of an eighties edge to it that when you take that away and try to bring Queensryche into the modern age it just didn't work. Half of their discography is good to goddamn amazing. The other half isn't worth even listening to in my opinion.
LOL! Until today I never knew that there was a Mindcrime 2, thanks for enduring it so that I don't have to! 🤘 I like how you broke the albums out into the good and not good for this review, well done.
I would personally switch 1 & 2, and maybe 6 & 7 but otherwise I agree with you! good video! First time I ever heard QR was on the 'decline of western civilization - the metal years' compilation where The Prophecy was featured. I hit the VHS record button back in '89 while watching Muchmusic's "power hour" program thinking I was recording the video for "Dr Feelgood" but turned out to be Eyes of a Stranger, and I was hooked!
Huge Queensryche fan. The Abbey Road remasters make Empire and Mindcrime sound brand new again! Also, you should check out G.I.V.E.'s new EP UNNATURAL. It was mixed by Toby Wright and sounds AMAZING. You should review it, I love it. The first hit is I'm Dyin'. Look it up and thanks for all the videos you make!
The first Queensryche album I got was Operation Mindcrime. It is my favorite album from them. I also like Empire. I first saw Queensryche live in 1994 and was blown away by Geoff Tate's singing. I've seen them three more times with Geoff Tate and once with Todd LaTorre. I need to get the albums with him.
1. Rage for Order: So looked over. Truly "Progressive" Metal! 2. Operation Mindcrime: Musical Storytelling at its Best! 3. The Warning: Take Hold of the Flaaaaaaame!! One of my all time favorites! 4. The EP: The Lady wore Black; Blend of Goth and Metal! 5. Empire: Some solid songs but a sign things weren't going to get better from here. Yeaaahhh; I'm out after that. All 5 of these remain in my "Stands the Test of Time" playlist and i enjoy every minute when listening. :)
Easy number one for me is Operation: MindCrime 😌👌
Yeah, same here... and if the EP was permitted in the running, it would be my #2.
Cheers!
Absolutely Right! Operation: Mindcrime is one of the Best Concept/METAL albums of ALL-TIME!
Same
Easy second place for me is Empire.
I do enjoy the really old stuff.
Side note. I met Geoff Tate around 2011 in Lincoln, Nebraska when he was doing a small club tour. I got paid $100 for 3hrs to work security for his acoustic show. That guy was belting it out like he was singing for a metal band. He was also really friendly and personable with the crowd. He bought me and my friend that was also working security that night a couple drinks. He was just a really friendly, nice guy that day. I know some people have their opinions of the guy. I thought, from what I read that he might not be a friendly guy. I’m glad to say I was wrong. On that day, he was a wonderful person to hang out with.
That's cool to hear, and what a voice. Cheers!
@@RuthlessMetalYT That night his voice was amazing. It was a real small crowd, maybe 50 people. I always wanted to hear Queen of the Reich live. In concert not video.
Operation: Mindcrime is one of the best albums of all time, any genre. Great music, and so powerful as a narrative.
I fully agree. Cheers!
I listened to Rage For Order for the first time in years a few weeks ago - its actually aged superbly what an album that is! Superb
Yeah, one of their best for sure. Cheers!
Easy their best
Rage For Order is a highly underrated album if you are into the style. It’s one of my favorite albums.
Yes, besides that Lisa Dalbello cover. ;) Cheers!
@@RuthlessMetalYT I think you're talking about, Gonna get close to you? I love that song lol. I listened to RFO as a kid and here we are 30 something years later and it's still in the rotation 🤘
@@RuthlessMetalYT Haha! I like the cover. Fits in with the creepy cringey goth band photo on the back of the album!
@@RuthlessMetalYT NO! "Gonna get close to you" represents one of the most intense artistic expression in Queensryche's career! Cheers ;o)
Rage For Order is such an absolute amazing album. Chris DeGarmo, in my opinion, had demonstrated the peak of his creativity behind the guitar. Such an array of sounds.
Agreed. Prime 80s Tate was every bit as good as Dio, Halford, Dickenson or Bonnet.
Absolutely, Cheers!
Better
Add Ray Alder to that list.
Oh come on, it's DickInson people! And I agree... I think he was better than Dicky.. Dicky the weakest of those.
@@llongone2 don’t forget Michael Kiske from helloween the closest to Geoff Tate in my opinion
1.Rage For Order
2. Operation Mindcrime
3. Warning
4. EP
5. Promised Land
6. Empire
good stuff! 🤘🏼
100 % aggree
Saw Queensryche over the weekend. Definitely not my usual 'metal' concert. I did enjoy that 60+% of the concert was Operation Mindcrime (top of the list IMO).
With Priest? must have been great. ;)
@@RuthlessMetalYT I wish it was with Priest haha. Just Queensryche by themselves though.
ah, that works too. :D Cheers!
Funny, I was checking your channel for a Queensrÿche ranking vid last week, and now here we are.
Yeah, better late than never. ;) Cheers!
Queens of the Ryche!!! Was a Band I never liked at first.
16: Dedicated to Chaos
15: Operation Mindcrime II
14: American Soldier
13: Frequency Unknown
12: Q2K
11: Here in the now Frontier
10: Tride
9: Promised Land
8: The Verdict
7: Queensryche 2013
6: Condition Human
5: Empire
4: Rage for Order
3: Operation Mindcrime
2: The Warning
1: Queensryche EP
Good stuff! Cheers!
I would have to agree with your list.
I disagree with this list just a little, Promised Land is way better than the 2013 self title, and Condition Human and Promised land are both just as good, and the rest of your list is a fair comparison.
Really like this list. I really like condition human and the verdict with Todd La Torre along with the old stuff. Empire, promised land, and of course Operation mind crime and rage for order. Some really good songs on other albums.
I remember the day "Empire" was released. Me and my friends bought it, brought it home, listened...and we were like, "So, this is how they decided to follow up one of the greatest concept albums of all time. Huh...?!"
Cheers!
Right?! 😔
I wouldn't say I was disappointed when I first heard Empire in 1990, but it didn't come close to the impact Mindcrime had on me a couple years earlier. I will say to my dying day that Silent Lucidity is a fantastic song and one of those hits that deserved all the airplay.
I was soooooooo disappointed myself.
Compared to OM and PL Empire is pretty weak, good album, but weak
I love Queensryche since 1983. The Mini Album was overwhelming! Geoff Tate was one of my favourite singers of all time!
Yeah, he was amazing. lately I feel like his voice has deteriorated quite a bit. I mean the guy still sounds good but not insanely great. Cheers!
@@RuthlessMetalYT I find it very interesting that you also love Metal Church! Both are "Seattle" bands, Queenryche was North side of the lake and Metal Church was South side/ Kent Valley. Grew up in the area at the time.
I discovered Queensrÿche in my early teens when I saw the music video for "Queen of the Reich" on Vh1, and it absolutely blew me away!!! The debut-EP is phenomenal!
I also agree with Geoff Tate being one of the best vocalists in Metal. The high notes that he takes with such ease is just amazing!
Yeah the early material is just mad. Cheers!
Rage for Order will forever be underrated; love your comments about The Warning.
Yes I love that record, cheers
Rage for order is their greatest album after Operation mindcrime.
Great list. I agree with you - Todd has reenergized the band and I look forward to the new album.
Cheers!
Jet city woman is one of my favorite songs of all time. I love everything about it
Cool song. Cheers
I have to agree with almost everything you said. Although, I always struggle with which of their top 3 albums is the best. Thanks. The loss of DeGarmo, Tate and now Rockenfield has kind of left me numb as they will never be the same, ever again.
Cheers!
In 1983, my friend and i got two albums at Tower Records in their import section, in Sacramento, CA- the hometown of Tower!
The first was the QR EP, the second, All for one, by Raven.
I took home the EP, my friend took home all for one.
These two albums became the basis for my desire to become a singer, and much of my songwriting to this day. Geoff Tate, in his prime, was one of the most powerful baritones in music. The twin guitars of Wilton and DeGarmo were ground breaking(if anyone saw the Rage tour, their dual solo was the stuff of legend) and unique. Rockenfield’s ability to keep time is like a Swiss timepiece. I recently did a cover of I Don’t Believe in Love; his timekeeping, at 119bpm is immaculate. With only one spot that drifts throughout the entire song. Very skilled.
Great video, great, inspirational band.
I’d check out GT in Sweet Oblivion, where he sings his butt off for an old man
Cheers!
I agree with your assessment! Your list matches mine 100%. thanks for sharing.
Thank you! Cheers
Agree with Warning being their best and probably one of the best US metal records ever. Fucking untouchable. Glad you mentioned the live in Tokyo video. It's stunning.
Yes, his performance in that video is just shockingly great. Didn't think a human could sing like that. hehe Cheers!
I wore that VHS out! 🤘
Really enjoyed this. Seems like we are into lots of the same metal bands . Really enjoy your videos keep it up \m/ live in Tokyo is killer really dig them playing prophecy on that
Thanks man! Cheers!
My copy of The Warning doesn't have the prophecy on it so I'm glad it's on that Tokyo video
Saw them open for Iron Maiden on the Powerslave tour at Radio City Music Hall way back when. Good times😎
I bet, Cheers!
Will you rank Motörhead's discography too?
Good idea! And Running Wild would be nice.
🤘🏼
I might some sunny day. :D 🤘🏼
You got my rankings very close. Early Queensryche was unbeatable. A friend got the EP before going to a concert and we were amazed at Geoff Tate's voice and I learned that Chris DeGarmo's Lyrics and arrangements just spoke to me like no other. I alternate #1 between Rage For Order and The Warning based on mood. My heart broke when I heard about the anger and discord before Geoff Tate was fired. I have a friend (who worked security) who met the band and all of them, but especially Geoff were kind and generous with their time. They even posed for pictures back stage. I agree about the latter albums with Geoff becoming unlistenable by the end but I bought each one with the vague hope that it would signal a return to form. That did happen with Todd LaTorre, to a point. Todd can hit the high notes but doesn't always sing with the emotions and vibrance that Geoff, even to this day, adds to each and every song. Love the commentary in this video and I can only give you high praise for begrudgingly liking: I don't believe in love, lol.
yeah, 80's Queensryche is hard to beat.
My Ranking (Best to Worst):
1. Rage For Order (1986)
2. Promised Land (1994) - CRIMINALLY UNDERRATED
3. The Warning (1984)
4. Queensryche EP (1982)
5. Operation Mindcrime (1988)
6. Empire (1990)
7. Tribe (2003) - VERY UNDERRATED
8. Operation Mindcrime II (2006) - UNDERRATED
9. American Soldier (2009) - UNDERRATED
10. Q2K (1999) - Better than Hear in the Now Frontier
11. Hear In The Now Frontier (1997)
12. Take Cover (2007)
13. Dedicated To Chaos (2011)
Nice. Promised Land high up there! Cheers!
Promised land is a masterpiece.
1990 is it for me . This order will be the closest I can relate to.
Great video man. If you can make a ranking video about darkthrone or immortal! 🤘
I probably won't since I dont listen that much to BM. ;) 🤘
@@RuthlessMetalYT what about a ranking video about cannibal corpse? Great band. 🤘
I'm not really a Death Metal guy. Cheers!
@@RuthlessMetalYT cheers man
I never enjoyed Queensryche until I dug into their super early stuff... then it was ahhh now I get it. I remember listening to Empire and thinking it was way overrated. The Warning and the self-titled EP are my favorites.
Yeah it's different from the later era stuff.
Ahhhh!!! Finally someone who realize the genius and wonderfulness of The Warning as I do!!!!!
Yes, it's one of the greatest American metal albums of all time. Cheers!
If you enjoyed the video then make sure to smash that LIKE button 👍
and don't forget to SUBSCRIBE 🔔 if you're new!
🔴 Patreon & Discord: www.patreon.com/user?u=54741783
💲 Donate: streamelements.com/ruthlessmetal/tip
💳 Ruthless Merch: merch.streamelements.com/ruthlessmetal
🤘 Ruthless Metal Blog: ruthlessmetal.blogspot.com/
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/groups/176669589198816
🐦 Twitter: twitter.com/JimRuthless
🎵 Spotify: open.spotify.com/user/nla1154q1kamkscnp5z1d79h3?si=K1ujpPh_SLujafZ_WUHFwQ
And don't forget to check out the Abigail horror story video that I made: th-cam.com/video/irnIQ1Fqpmo/w-d-xo.html
Stay Heavy! 🤘
One of the many 80's singers that have come back strong: Michael Sweet (Stryper)
Cheers!
I've seen Queensryche live 14 times, one of my all time favorite bands. I love all the albums , except the last few Tate era albums. The Todd LA Toure era albums are all awesome especially " The Verdict " just killer!
Damn, I haven't seen them live even once. :S Cheers!
@@RuthlessMetalYT I saw them open for KISS during the Warning Tour in Portland Oregon. Single best live performance by anyone I've seen over the years. And I've seen a lot of shows in my 50+ years.
1. Operation: Mindcrime (1988)
2. The Warning/Queensryche EP (1984/1983)
3. Rage for Order (1986)
4. Promised Land (1994)
5. Empire (1990)
6. Digital Noise Alliance (2022)
7. Condition Human (2015)
8. The Verdict (2019)
9. Queensryche (2013)
10. Operation: Mindcrime II (2006)
11. Hear In The Now Frontier (1997)
12. Take Cover (2007)
13. Frequency Unknown (2013)
14. Tribe (2003)
15. Q2K (1999)
16. American Soldier (2009)
17. Dedicated to Chaos (2011)
Cheers!
I met em in Hollywood in ‘06 and got my first 4 vinyls signed! Then walked across the street to Mann’s Chinese Theater and saw an advanced screening of Maiden’s Flight 666 doc!
That was a Good Day fo’ sho’!!🤘🏼
cool, Cheers!
I've been listening to The Warning a lot lately, it's great!. I can see how you rank it #1.
Cheers!
I’m so glad you mentioned the ep! Can you please do Voivod, Annihilator, RUSH, Razor or Killer Dwarfs? I was ecstatic when you did Exciter a while ago.
I might do some of those in the future. Hail Canada! ;) Cheers!
I second Annihilator definitetly deserve a Ruthless ranking
Can You Please do a Bolt Thrower song ranking 🤘🏼🤘🏼❤️
I can't since I don't really listen to 'em. :) 🤘🏼
I love 'Gonna Get Close to You'! Very interesting song. I did not know it was a cover until years later. Queensryche's decline in success seems mostly in part to lack of quality material. I realize grunge changed the landscape of hard rock/ metal but it appears Queensryche just didn't release much good material after the rise (and fall) of grunge. It's even more shocking how their split from Geoff Tate was so bitter, with him even spitting on the band mates during a concert!
for me it sounds like one of those drivel post-punk songs that were popular in the eighties. :) Yeah, they wen't in the wrong direction I think. They should have kept their metallic style.
They fired him, that's why he was bitter and I don't blame him, however spitting at your band mates is too low and disgusting as well.
@@RuthlessMetalYT Which isn't a strange pick for the cover, as Queensrÿche were one of the handful of 80s metal bands who did a crossover thing between metal and new wave scenes, along with Celtic Frost, Black Hole, Rogue Male and Turbo era Priest.
1 The Warning
2 Queensryche e.p. 1983
3 Rage for Order
4 Operation Mindcrime
5 Queensryche 2013
6 Empire
good stuff. Cheers!
Promised Land needs to be there or your list is wrong.
The Warning definitely my all time favorite Queensryche album, with one exception. I like the original band track listing as opposed to what was released by EMI. Way better in my opinion.
Original track listing The Warning
N M 156
En Force
No Sanctuary
Deliverance
Take Hold of the Flame
Before the Storm
Child of Fire
Warning
Roads to Madness.
Give it a listen.
I haven't really listened to anything with Todd but I might check some stuff you recommended. I stopped following them after Promised Land. IMO at is a good album but did mark a significant change for them. Listened to Hear in the Now Frontier and then hung it up for them. I'm pretty much an 80s Queensryche fan.
Do it, Todd is great!
Music with Todd, in my opinion, is a bunch of "let's go guys and make some noise" rather than well crafted music we are used to. But they tried something new and got a new fan base, so maybe they will find their calling again.
16. Frequency Unknown
15. Dedicated to Chaos
14. Q2K
13. Operation Mindcrime 2
12. Hear in the Now Frontier
11. American Soldier
10. Queensrÿche 2013
9. Tribe
8. Queensrÿche EP
7. Empire
6. Condition Human
5. Operation: Mindcrime
4. The Verdict
3. Rage for Order
2. Promised Land
1. The Warning
Cheers!
Thx and keep making such great videos!!! 🤘🏻🤘🏻
Thanks man!
*My list* (studio only):
*1)* Rage for Order
*2)* Queensryche (EP)
*3)* Promised Land
*4)* The Verdict
*5)* The Warning
*6)* Empire
*7)* Condition Human
*8)* Queensryche (2013)
*9)* Hear in the Now Frontier
*10)* Q2K
*11)* Tribe
*12)* American Soldier
*13)* Dedicated to Chaos
*14)* Frequency Unknown (Geoff Tate's Queensryche)
*Queensryche albums I never heard:*
*1)* Operation Mindcrime
*2)* Operation Mindcrime II
*3)* Take Cover
You haven't heard Operation Mindcrime? Go and listen to it now, it's one of the best metal albums of all time. Cheers!
Nice video! How about a Manilla Road ranking? Their discography is not long, but I think is worth of checking out.
More suggestions: Razor, Sacrifice or Voivod (canadian thrash deserves some hearing too). Thanks!!!
Yeah I thought of those bit nothing is planned right now
@@RuthlessMetalYT Nice. And congratulations for this channel. It's the best!
1. Operation Mindcrime
2. Warning
3. Rage of order
4. Empire
5. L. P.
6. Promise land
Cheers!
Good stuff maestro! Thumbs up^
thanks, Cheers!
I think it is important to mention Warrel Dane in this conversation. He was right there with Geoff Tate as well. What was to come with Sanctuary and Nevermore was legendary, and while never getting the album sales of QR, they are close to on par with them in many ways. A huge influence on the progressive metal world.
May he rest in peace
Cheers!
Saw them before the E.P even came out. Do to the greatness of 1-4 +ep they are in my top 5 bands of all time. Even though I love Thrash and Hardcore, I am also a huge Prog fan; so....................>
1. Rage for Order
2. Operation: Mindcrime
3. The Warning
4. Empire
5.Promised Land
6. Queensryche(LaTorre)
7. Condition Human
8.Hear in the now frontier
9. Verdict
10.Q2K
11. Tribe
12. American Soldier
13. OM II
14. Dedicated to Chaos
15. F.U ... Just listen to the re-recorded tracks to show how much Geoff stopped caring about singing/music and the audience
Nice, must have been wild to catch them that early. Cheers!
Rage for Order was the first Queensryche album I bought back in 86. I remember hearing Walk in the Shadow on the radio one night and saying "Who the heck is that???" Back then I was mostly listening hair metal bands like Motley Crue, Twisted Sister, and Quiet Riot. But I think it was around 85/86 that I started listening to Dio and Iron Maiden, and Queensryche kind of sounded like a combination of the two. So I rushed out and bought Rage for Order and eventually I had gotten The Warning as well. So, those would be my top two Queensryche albums. After that would be Operation Mindcrime, Empire, Promised Land, Queensryche, Human Condition, The Verdict and then shuffle the rest of their albums like a deck of cards and label them 9 - 15. lol Because rest of them suck. Although Hear in the Now Frontier did have a couple catchy tunes that would get stuck in my head
good stuff! Cheers!
Great band up to Empire album. I'm not a big fan of their later discography. My favorite is Operation Mindcrime - great concept album. On second place I put The Warning.
Cheers!
No Todd LaTorre? Cheers!
@@RuthlessMetalYT Unfortunately I have never heard albums with him, but I will listen today :)
Love that you have Warning first. I was thinking you were going OM for sure. Gonna Get Close to You is a great song, though. It's creepy and haunting.
I love The Warning but yeah, all those early Queensryche albums are great.
There's no better reference than having been there in the early 80s just before the EP came out, hearing them on the local metal show, to living a life where Warning came out at the beginning of your senior year in high school. I saw them twice on The Warning tour, once on the Rage tour and maybe twice on the Mindcrime tour. Mindcrime was their swan song. Nothing after that felt like organic Queensryche. Only when Todd came into the fold did they start getting closer to that "Onch" sound, that harder influence once again. Great review, I enjoyed your points and found that we agreed on some key points in their history.
Damn, must have been special. :D
You forgot Take Cover which is the best Tate record since Empire imo. Tate was a vocal God in the 80s, followed by Miche Kiske.
I dont rank cover albums. Only their own material. Cheers
@@RuthlessMetalYT Sure thing
Great analyses and ranking, thanks for sharing. I was fortunate to actually enter my Queensryche appreciation at the EP. I bought it when it came out as it looked 'interesting' and I had a voracious appetite for metal and hard rock at the time. I found it stunning then and still do now many, many years later. I grew up on Tate, Dio and Halford - lucky me! PS - the first 2 Iron Maiden albums are the best too!
oh cool. Cheers
1. Rage for Order
2. The Warning
3. O:M
4. Promised Land
5. The Verdict
6. Empire (The thin line)
7.Condition Human
8. Queensryche
9. Tribe
Good stuff! Cheers!
Hallo mr.Ruthless. Here again...after Black Sabbath album chart, now Queensryche.
They used to be among my absolute favourites when I was a teenage headbanger; 'til "Promised Land".
But, then, that album was so listening worthless and my tastes were shifting that I've really never listened a single track from the more recent albums, w/ or w/out Geoff Tate.
The fact that you ranked them all at the bottom, combined with the top 4 positions which are, even not in the same order, the same as mine would be, makes me think I'haven't missed so much not listening to them...
So, about the top 4...
To my taste "Empire" is the least metallish work among (early, as far as I know) Queensryche's. But, don't know exactly why, I rate the songwriting in that album to be quite better than "Operation mindcrime" 's, which I put at 4th position: no track from the concept album that made Queensryche a kind of a superstar band in their worldwide reputation actually strikes my ears, mind and heart as (just for instance) a simple hard rock tune as "jet city woman" does.
"Operation mindcrime" is definitely a pleasant listening but still it slips away from my ears as it did when it came out, having no single tune to remain in the head to be sung along shower-time!
On the other way the early two albums have plenty of memorable tracks and I can't ever get tired of listening (meanwhile this happens with "Operation Mindcrime" and sometimes with "Empire") and (miserably trying to) singing them along.
I perfectly understand the reason which made you put "the Warning" at 1st place: you are a true metalhead!
That album is the masterpiece of a certain "techno-metal" which Judas Priest ("Screaming for vengeance" and "Defenders of the faith") started few years before, or even ("DotF") at the same time, and other bands (Crimson Glory, Fates Warning...) developed in a few, eventually uderrated, masterpieces of those years.
I love that stuff, the distopic lyrics, the science-fictional atmospheres evocated by songwritng and production, it is still a part of me.
But, to me, "Rage for Order" is at a different and upper level. It defines a new idea of heavy metal, a more complex and (at the time) totally unusual use of keyboards, effects, choruses, broken rhythm patterns and, last but not least, lyrically it's a great love-album, being couple relations the main subject its songs are about.
"Rage for Order" set the boundaries of metal music at a further step which, in a certain way, hasn't been rivalled or even got close to, yet, by anyone.
Anyway, I was lucky enough to see them performing live two times in the late 80's.
The 1st one was in Dortmund (Metal Hammer festival, headlined by Ozzy Osbourne) when they performed some 50 mins. only, in a huge venue (die WestphalenHalle) with too many people to let me really enjoy the show.
The 2nd one was in a small venue (Rolling Stone), which doesn't exist anymore, in Milan, and it was a plenty concert of their "Operation Mindcrime" tour.
They jumped on stage by "Walk in the shadows" and I totally went crazy, because of it and because I though that meant a lot of "Rage for Order" to be performed. I was totally wrong: that was the only track from the 2ndLP they played that night.
Instead they, obviously, performed "Operation Mindcrime" in its entirety, in its sequence, with some characters (sis. Mary and others) played by some stage co-performers (whose performance I dont' remember if it were just acting or chorusing too).
But the show didn't end with it: they played "Queen of the reich" and "Blinded" (!!!! a total masterpiece: one of their best songs ever) from the EP.
And, from "the Warning" and its recording session, they played the title track, "No sanctuary", "Take hold of the flame", "Prophecy", "Before the Storm" (but I'm not sure abt.it) and, mainly, a sumptuos and unforgettable version of "Roads to madness" which made me forgive them I could not listen any other song from "Rage for Order" but for the opening one.
Recently Geoff Tate performed "Rage for Order" and "Empire" in their entirety here in Milan but I couldn't eventually go to see that show as I hadn't accepted the public-compulsory-injection which was necessary to have the so called "green pass" to enter the venue. It's a kind of damnation...but this discrimination I had to suffer ("With your pain I've had to suffer"-cit. "London") makes me feel very deeply involved and connected to the story they created, wrote, depicted in "Operation Mindcrime" and I think my, our, freedom is worth this "sacrifice" .
Check out the new albums, they are cool! Cheers!
I saw the video for the Queen of the Reich back in 1984, became curious, ordered "The Warning", and almost 40 years later here we are. I think you made some interesting points with this video. I disagree on some of the albums, agree on some others. Somehow, it seems that there is 5-10 years of inspiration at best. Not only for Queensryche, but for most of them. Very rarely you bump into something really good and going on for decades... anyway:
Best to worst:
1. Rage for Order - A1 to A5 real diamonds. I cannot tell what I like the most about this album, simply everything. My top three albums of all times.
2. Operation: Mindcrime - Real treasure, really liked it back then, now a little less (that is a little less than RFO)
3. Empire - A bit polished too much, but still very good. Also, loved it so much when it came out
4. The Warning - Was disappointed that it did not contain the Queen of the Reich, but a very good album. Roads to Madness - masterpiece
5. Promised Land - no surprises there, the last and the weakest of the big 5. Title song is perhaps far from Qryche, but very good. This album is a testament to their constant changes
6. Hear in the Now Frontier - this is perhaps a bit high, but weak points spoiled it just a bit for me. A few very good songs, despite an attempt to jump into the wagon at the time
7. American Soldier - I find this rather good
8. Tribe - So sorry that Chris gave up after this
9. Q2K - Listened it much at the time, but a moderate effort at best
10. Operation Mindcrime II - huge disappointment, but the one with RJD was actually one of the best moments for me
11. Condition Human - Obviously liked Geoff Tate much more
12. The Verdict -
13. Queensryche -
14. Dedicated to Chaos - amazing that they signed this as Queensryche. Tradition means s***.
And just an observation on Geoff Tate and his recent singing. What is your thought on 'Seduction of Decay' from Avantasia. It really seems that he is lacking some good songwriting. He was obviously better when he was younger, but he can still pull good ones.
Damn, that's cool. I was just a baby when that one came out. :) Cheers!
Queensryche is one of the greatest Progressive Metal bands of all time. The Warning, Rage for Order, Operation: Mindcrime and Empire are amazing albums. The Queensryche EP is a classic, and Promised Land is okay
good stuff! Cheers!
commenting to show Jim the love and respect he deserves.
answering to show Kardboard Kenny the love and respect he deserves. ;)
Great rank, man! STAY HEAVY!
Cheers!
That run through Empire just kills. I got to see them live for The Warning, Rage, Operation and Empire. I’m sure you know of the album Screamer - Target : Earth, check it out if not.
Yes, that's the album that people mistake for Scanner - Terminal Earth. hehe
I hadn’t listened to any Queensryche since Empire. Sounds like it’s time to check them out again. Great list!
DO it! Cheers!
Given that you ranked some german thrash, could you add Tankard too? Cheers :)
Some sunny day I might. :) Lots of bands to rank.
Their EP was the only thing that mattered
The Warning is insanely good. One of my favourite US metal albums of all time.
Check out the bootlegged footage from a metal club in NY 87. The film quality is obviously not great, but the Audio is not bad and the whole band are just on fire.
Cheers!
Empire - Roads to madness
Cheers!
I always felt like they peaked at Operation Mindcrime. After that they just started going down hill for me. Empire had a few great songs, but overall not as strong as Operation Mindcrime and prior. Operation Mindcrime II was a clinic on disappointment.
Yeah it's a great album.
I was in high anticipation of Mind Crime. When it came out, it was such a departure from the previous albums, it still is like a thorn in my side. Don't get me wrong, I like it, but after all these years, the disappointment still stings. Call be crazy.
A full discography minus the ep? Who can forget that scream from Geoff 25 seconds into their signature song? I remember exactly what I was doing when I first heard it. I'm 53 years old and I still listen to it.
Yeah I don't rank EP's, singles, live albums, box sets and such. it would make it like comparing apples and oranges. :) I love that EP though, definitely one of their best releases.
Btw, "Rage For Order" is also the first industrial metal record ever. Queensrÿche was the first heavy metal band who incorporated influences of industrial bands like Skinny Puppy and Laibach into metal. Slightly later, industrial bands like Ministry and Godflesh did the same in opposite way (incorporated metal into industrial). Then, since the mid 90s, the fusions between metal and industrial became widespread with various bands on both sides: Fear Factory, Rammstein, NIN, Die Krupps, Morbid Angel ("Domination" era), later Samael, Abruptum etc. I pick "Rage For Order" as #1, just slightly over "The Warning" and "Operation Mindcrime" because it was a record waaaay ahead it's time.
Maybe hints of that but it's certainly not anything like those bands.
@@RuthlessMetalYT Yeah, it's still a record in a traditional metal realm, but on a detailed listen you can spot these earliest traits of industrial which was sweeping into metal on that record, for example Neue Regel track. It's also from mid 80s, when lots of heavy metal took some futuristic approach, which led to some interest in electronic music. Maiden came that year with "Somewhere In Time", using a guitar synths in production for a record with futuristic theme, but without some particular influence from electronic music. "Turbo" was an obvious mix of heavy metal and electronica, but on a lighter side of the spectrum, as it was no excuse sell-out that should top the charts, a mix with synthpop stuff like The Human League. "Rage For Order" was more serious deal, as they were into underground electro stuff at the time like Laibach. In some recent interview Geof Tate cited Skinny Puppy as a huge influence on the band at the time.
Empire only. In 91 I was in denmark for Monsters of rock. Instead of mötley there was blackcrows instead wich wasn´t bad. First time I recognize them. Metallica started wich I never cared about. Finally when B.C and Q.R appered I was so stoned my eyes visualized my friends starting to behave in a most unnatural ways. So surreal. Any who. This was the best concert of all.
haha. glad you remember it. ;) Cheers!
Sir by your grammar usage it appears you are still feeling the affects of those drugs.
Just saw Queensryche open for Priest in Canada. I know Tate is no longer there, but they were absolutely amazing, along with priest.
I bet they were. :) Cheers!
Hey, man! Once again, pretty darn near my exact judgement, for the albums that matter. Operation Mindcrime is however personally meaningful in a way that means I rank it highest. But I know what you mean. Cheers.
Cheers!
So far, from the limited videos I've watched of yours, we have agreed on most everything. This one, Show No Mercy, Somewhere in Time, Stained Class are all my favorite records from those bands. I'm off to check out some more of your work. 🤘
Thanks man. I've seen your comments here and there. ;) Cheers!
@@RuthlessMetalYT Have you considered doing Riot's catalog?
Since 1988, out of anyone I’ve ever heard,You Sir have done the best job ever,Very well done.
Thanks boss! Cheers!
I would like to see your top 10 EP list in metal. That would be very interesting list I guess.
I did one for thrash. I don't have such a list in my head but I have a few faves that's for sure. ;) The Queensryche Ep is definitely in my top 10.
@@RuthlessMetalYT Queensryche EP is probably the greatest. Here are some other suggestions:
Overlorde SR (US) - Medieval Metal (1985),
Valhalla (US) - Twelfth of Nowhere (1992),
Savatage (US) - The Dungeons are Calling (1984),
Agent (Ger) - Experience of Passion (1986),
Traitors Gate (UK) - Devil Takes the Highroad (1985),
Parasite (Swe) - Parasite (1984),
Glacier (US) - Glacier (1985),
Venator (Aus) - Paradiser (2020)...
Yes! amazing stuff right there. Devil Takes the High Road was an old fave of mine. Cheers!
Kudos on the rankings. Agree with your top 4, but would have put Rage at number 1. Such a tight album, without the ridiculous pretensions of Mindcrime. Still, love your work and keep it up!
Cheers!
I'd like to thank you Ruthless for that video. I listened to Operation: Mindcrime something like 20 years ago, but it just didn't get to me, as I was into some other type of metal. But after seeing your video, I told myself I had to give it a listen once more. And holy crap! What was wrong with me 20 years ago??? Operation: Mindcrime is a masterpiece. After the first complete listen, I played it from beginning to end three more times! The music is fantastic, Tate's voice is just amazing and the storyline just keeps on giving. So Thank you for posting that video. I'll give their other top albums a listen too. \m/
thanks boss, glad you re-discovered the band, they are amazing, especially in the early years. Cheers!
"this album sucks!" 🤣
Tell it like it is, brother 🤘
I absolutely love listening to your channel!
yeah, we're not faking it here. :) Thanks man, Cheers!
I like your ranking👍👍👍
Thank you! Cheers!
My favorite album by far is Operation Mindcrime (with The Mission being my favorite on the album), but my favorite song of their is off The Warning (Roads to Madness).
Agreed. 'Roads to Madness' best song of theirs! Everyone always talks about 'Take hold of the flame' from that album but doesn't do as much for me...
Cheerios
Good job! I did buy and enjoy the 90s Queensryche albums, especially Promised Land and Q2k. There's some good song writing there. But I agree that these are not "metal" albums per se.
You are also so right about the new version of the band with LaTorre. The Verdict grabbed me from the first song and my love for Queensryche was re-ignited. It is now one of my favorite recent metal albums.
I've seen the band live twice now in the last few years. They have good energy. I love LaTorre's whole vibe and attitude on stage. It's ironic that Queensryche, with new singer, guitarist, and even song writers is releasing albums that are better than the original lineup.
By the way, I saw Queensryche on the Mindcrime 1 and 2 tour. They did both albums in full back to back. Ronny James Dio even showed up for his song on Mindcrime 2. Not long after, Dio died. It was the last time I saw him. But you are correct, as with the album, even Dio could not save the show. It was a disaster, with cheesy (low budget) props, Geoff Tate's theatrics and bad music in the second half of the show.
Nice, I haven't seen them yet. Cheers!
I have to admit most anything starting from Promised Land and after, I haven't listened to. Though I did give the first album with their new vocalist a spin and so far it's a real step up. I can't say it's Empire or Mindcrime all over again. I did like their EP most of all, the Maiden influence can't be ignored. But Empire got me into them though, so there's a nostalgia for it in my case.
Just curious, any plans for ranking all the Accept or Saxon albums. Definitely curious as to what you feel about Accept from 2010 onward. Love the channel. :)
You haven't missed much. :) Cheers!
I have been lucky enough to see live Queensryche with Tate, Tates Queensryche, and Todd's Queensryche.
I had the chance to see them with Tate but back then I hadn't heard the band so I skipped it. :S Cheers!
Condition Human was off my radar, thanks - I liked their most recent album
Cheers!
Great ranking, I’m with you all the way!👍
Cheers!
Masterpieces like Someone else?, One More Time, Promised Land, Bridge, Damaged put the Promised Land on the top for me.
My top also!
Cheers
Pretty much dead agree with you here. I go back and forth between Mindcrime and Warning as their best. I love Rage except for the new wave element, and Empire has a few great songs buried in the radio metal. Promised Land is decent, and everything goes to hell after that until LaTorre shows up. Tate basically took over the band for the 2000s and it was terrible; the fact that they snapped back to form so completely when he was gone underscores how bad his ideas were in that period, and that no one else's were apparently getting through.
That said, I also agree that there wasn't a singer who could touch Tate in his 80s prime. He was Freddie Mercury level, and I don't say that lightly.
Yeah, an incredible voice but it got worse over time. Cheers!
@@RuthlessMetalYT They all do, unfortunately.
I'm glad you've given Todd his due. As you said he's not Tate. Though all 4 of the Albums with Todd are resurrecting for Queensryche. First time I herd Todd was with crimson glory. Filling in Midnights shoes unbelievable. I thought then he'd be a great replacement for Queensryche.
yeah, tate's not even tate these days. :D
Here in Canada the only songs I would hear are Silent Lucidity and Operation Mind Crime. Empire and Operation Mind Crime are the only albums you could normally find at the store, now with the internet you can get the rest. This is the layout for what I'm going to say. Apart from those two songs I had never heard of them. Silent Lucidity because of that weird tv show that had used it and also Much Music for the two songs. Unfortunately I was never able to enjoy them because of the limitations I mentioned. I did see them opening for Scorpions in New Brunswick a few years ago... they were ok. I do see the allure to them with Tate as the frontman. After all he had the pipes for it.
Thanks for the ranking. I'll look into them some more. Maybe get a better take on them.
Silent Lucidity is much softer than their albums. Check out The Warning, Their EP and Operation Mindcrime. That's a good start. Cheers!
Operation: Mindcrime is my personal favourite from them. I always compare it to The Crimson Idol from W.A.S.P witch I think is even better. Both 11/10 for me.
Are you my twin? These two albums are my favorite two albums of all time
Cheers!
Can you do a Savatage Rank 'em All next time?
That is a good idea, no plans for it right now but yeah. :) Cheers!
Promised land is greatly underrated. Its a great great effort by the band and that tour was amazing. They should have professionally recorded that tour. The music is great. It stands well after empire. After this they should have stopped and taken a break to recharge and compose a proper Q. album. the first five albums of this band were astonishing good. The problem is all the trash that came after promised land. Poor management, lack of proper promotion, infighting and the absence of De Garmo really took a toll. I would have switched empire for rage for order. Even tough they are both great, Empire is just one of that special early 90's albums that lives in a special place in every metal banger's heart.
Yeah that one is a bit different. Cheers!
Saw them in'83 touring for the EP.
They opened for Twisted Sister.
Amazing show in a small venue before either band had hit.
Damn must have been great
@@RuthlessMetalYT It was pretty cool.
I was more into QR than TS but both bands put on great shows.
QR had amazing musical chops for such a young band.
TS was pure NYC attitude and very entertaining -Dee is a great frontman.
Cheers!
You don’t have to be strictly a metalhead to be a fan of this band. Their career had an arc, which made them interesting. This was my favorite band before it fell apart. And still is my favorite band in it’s original incarnation.
My ranking is (FYI: I don’t consider Frequency Unknown a Queensrÿche record):
15 Dedicated to Chaos
14 The Verdict
13 Condition Human
12 Operation: Mindcrime II
11 Queensrÿche (2013 full length)
10 Tribe
9 American Soldier
8 Q2k
7 Hear in the Now Frontier
6 Promised Land
5 Queensrÿche (EP)
4 The Warning
3 Rage For Order
2 Operation: Mindcrime
1 Empire
Those eighties albums are magical I think. but I haven't even heard some of their albums before I sat down and listened through all of their albums.
@@RuthlessMetalYT - and once you did that what are your impressions? Beyond your metal bias?
Edit: I understand what you’ve already said in the video. But I’m seeking insight beyond a metal bias.
well I think I go through most of it in the video. Some albums were laughably bad actually. I don't know if it was the lack of direction with producers and labels and that their sound back then had so much of an eighties edge to it that when you take that away and try to bring Queensryche into the modern age it just didn't work. Half of their discography is good to goddamn amazing. The other half isn't worth even listening to in my opinion.
@@RuthlessMetalYT - thanks for your honest reply. I enjoy hearing different points of view. All the best to you.
LOL! Until today I never knew that there was a Mindcrime 2, thanks for enduring it so that I don't have to! 🤘 I like how you broke the albums out into the good and not good for this review, well done.
Yeah, the bad ones are skippable so. hehe Cheers!
I would personally switch 1 & 2, and maybe 6 & 7 but otherwise I agree with you! good video! First time I ever heard QR was on the 'decline of western civilization - the metal years' compilation where The Prophecy was featured. I hit the VHS record button back in '89 while watching Muchmusic's "power hour" program thinking I was recording the video for "Dr Feelgood" but turned out to be Eyes of a Stranger, and I was hooked!
Ah, I haven't watched that one in 20 years, I dont even remember Queensryche being on there. Maybe I need to rewatch it then. haha Cheers!
Todd's solo album rocks. I mostly agree with your ranking.
thanks boss. Cheers!
Huge Queensryche fan. The Abbey Road remasters make Empire and Mindcrime sound brand new again! Also, you should check out G.I.V.E.'s new EP UNNATURAL. It was mixed by Toby Wright and sounds AMAZING. You should review it, I love it. The first hit is I'm Dyin'. Look it up and thanks for all the videos you make!
Thank you, Cheers!
Your top 5 is solid! I'd have Empire number 1.
That one is a bit too commercial for me but there are some great tracks on that one as well obviously. :) Cheerios!
The first Queensryche album I got was Operation Mindcrime. It is my favorite album from them. I also like Empire. I first saw Queensryche live in 1994 and was blown away by Geoff Tate's singing. I've seen them three more times with Geoff Tate and once with Todd LaTorre. I need to get the albums with him.
You should. Good stuff for sure! Cheers!
1. Rage for Order: So looked over. Truly "Progressive" Metal!
2. Operation Mindcrime: Musical Storytelling at its Best!
3. The Warning: Take Hold of the Flaaaaaaame!! One of my all time favorites!
4. The EP: The Lady wore Black; Blend of Goth and Metal!
5. Empire: Some solid songs but a sign things weren't going to get better from here.
Yeaaahhh; I'm out after that.
All 5 of these remain in my "Stands the Test of Time" playlist and i enjoy every minute when listening. :)
Good stuff! Cheers!