Empire [IMPORT]

Queensrÿche

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 29, 2008)
• Original Release Date: August 1990
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: EMI Japan
• ASIN: B001EB5CCK
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #983,307 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Limited Edition Japanese pressing of this album comes housed in a miniature LP sleeve and includes three bonus tracks. EMI. 2008.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Orgasmic!, May 2, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Empire (Audio CD)

Five stars are NOT NEARLY enough for this CD. I compared the "regular" version and the "gold" version of this CD one track at the time and came to the conclusion the other albums should be released on this label RIGHT NOW! I own several other Gold discs, and this one is a classic example of a true improvement in sound quality. See it as the difference between an old vinil album found in the attic from the "pre CD" era and the first time you heard the same album on CD. Well... The same shock is about to happen here...

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars INCREDIBLE!, April 16, 2000

By	Sudesh C. Udyavar "Sudesh" (Phoenix, AZ USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Empire (Audio CD)

I thought the original album sounded great until I popped this 24K Gold Ed. in & listened to it. The sound is fantastic. My favs. "Jet City Woman" & "Empire" blew me away. Definitely worth the money.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Golden Empire., January 10, 2002

By	Lord Chimp (Monkey World) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Empire (Audio CD)

(The review title is a bit cheesy, but it sounds good, right?)

This is the first 24 karat gold disc that has become a part of my collection. It was also the only one I really wanted. However, I delayed for a long time. After all, Empire is one of the best recorded rock albums ever (and one of my favorite albums). Could the gold disc be that much better? It professes to "reproduce the ultimate sound of a classic recorded performance without the digital harshness and irregular plated surface of standard aluminum discs." This is supposed to have a great effect on the recording. (Until recently I foolishly thought these discs were just funky items for ostentatious collectors.)

I received this CD as a gift, and now I can assuredly say I was stupid for the hesitation. As good as Empire was recorded before, this is way better. Every last instrumental ingredient is remarkably strong and identifiable. The hard rocking songs, like "Empire" and "Jet City Woman," have so much more punch. The clarity of the rumbling bass, coruscating guitar lines, and shivery hissing cymbals call even more attention to the band's superb instrumental ability. (I've gained much more appreciation for Scott Rockenfield as a drummer because of this). The "human instrument," Geoff Tate, has never sounded better. On "Silent Lucidity" it sounds like he's in the same room with you. On the same song, the orchestra's cadence glimmers with ten times the intoxicating power. Beautiful!

The greatest effect of the gold disc is heard on one of my favorite 'Ryche songs, "Anybody Listening?" It is definitely the best song ever written about being in the spotlight. I like Queen's "The Show Must Go On," Rush's "Limelight," and the pertinent songs on Marillion's Afraid of Sunlight album, but this is way better. The heavy, textured arrangement sounds more visceral and penetrative, increasing its emotional resonance.

More casual fans may not be willing to buy the gold disc, but anyone who loves Empire should definitely invest in this indispensable release.