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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
There is no escape...., October 7, 2005
In 1983, Queensryche exploded onto the metal scene with this EP. A little known band from Bellevue, WA, it was by pure chance that KERRANG! Magazine got their hands on this EP and wrote an article heralding it as the future of metal. The world would never be the same.
22 years later, this EP has aged extremely well. The music takes hold of you once you hear Geoff Tate's amazing scream in the beginning of the title track, and it never lets you go. If someone were to hear this music for the first time in the present day, they may not think much of it, but for 1983, it was a groundbreaking release. Backing up Tate are the band's two most important songwriters, lead guitarists Chris DeGarmo and Michael Wilton, as well as Eddie Jackson (bass) and Scott Rockenfield (drums). This lineup would remain the same for the next fifteen years. Geoff Tate, in my opinion, is the greatest rock/metal vocalist of all time. I have seen this band live many times, and his range and power are just as perfect in person, even in the year 2005.
The title track, 'Nightrider,' 'Blinded,' and 'The Lady Wore Black' are all metal classics that can be listened to thousands of times. In addition to Tate's vocals, both DeGarmo and Wilton were already writing and playing some of the most well constructed and creative solos on this record. They were in their late teens/early 20's, but their solos were totally flawless. When this album was re-released in 1986, the bonus track 'Prophecy' was added. I have always felt this track was a hidden gem in the Queensryche catalog and I would even say it's better than the rest of the tracks on this EP. The solos are full of tremolo action, finger tapping, hammer-on's, pull-off's, and arpeggios. One of my favorite aspects of DeGarmo's and Wilton's solos is there's always a healthy balance between technique and feeling. I always felt this was missing in most other metal from the early 80's.
If you're new to Queensryche, I would buy this EP along with THE WARNING and RAGE FOR ORDER. After you listen to all three albums about one hundred times, and you start to believe the music just couldn't get any better, go out and buy OPERATION MINDCRIME to be truly blown away!!!
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
4 star rating for the remastered version, April 6, 2005
In the original version, the self-titled EP would have rated 3 stars, to me. In some ways, after all, it was typical of that era (1982/83), as there were some Iron Maiden and Judas Priest inspired moments in the songs. Yet, in others not so typical. The band's musical brashness and intensity shone through. And of course since it led to greater works later on, this EP is a significant testament. When you think of it, these guys were in their late teens then, and though most had played extensively in other bands, Queensryche began, primarily, in a basement and recorded an EP before they had ever played live as a band. Back then, that was something.It is admittedly my own fault that I am jaded these days towards, Queen Of The Reich, and, The Lady Wore Black. Over the years I have played the songs to death. Queen Of The Reich, comes off kind of cheese-y lyrically, these days, but, The Lady Wore Black, still stands up lyrically, being an especially high-quality song-writing moment for an EP from a band just starting. What makes this remaster of the EP worth getting, is the number of extra tracks that have been added to the package, which are taken from the "Live In Tokyo" VHS (not otherwise released). Songs such as, Nightrider, and, Blinded, are seldom played in more recent years. Nightrider, is especially cool to hear as a live track with the volume cranked. One recalls lines of dialogue from Mad Max while listening. The live version of, Prophecy, is also quite good, as well as, Road To Madness, in classic form with the original lyrics. Even if you are a Queensryche fan who has the initial version of the EP on CD, you have to get this anyway. The live tracks include all four EP tracks, Prophecy, and most tracks from The Warning.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Best Debut Album Of 1983!, March 30, 2005
Coming out of the still nascent Seattle scene (Heart being the first to bust out from there) This EP was recorded in 1982 and didn't get released until late 1983 by EMI. I first heard "Queen Of The Reich" on the late-night "Metal Shop" program aired from WIYY-98Rock, and I was immediately in shock and awe! I heard the best of JP, Maiden, and the Scorpions all rolled into one (Queensryche)! I bought the EP as soon as I saw it on the record rack and played it for my friends, who were all blown away by the awsomeness of the Queensryche sound! I saw them open for Judas Priest during their tour for the "Warning" album and they were FANTASTIC! Here are my reviews of the songs based out of 5 *****:
"Queen Of The Reich" - Cymbals and a quick drum thump lead into a scorching guitar melody and a Geoff Tate piercing howl. A heavy, thumping bass and galloping guitars. Fantastic drumming from Scott Rockenfield (a true metal drummer's last name!) as well as scorching guitar solos from DeGarmo and Wilton. Geoff sounds terrific! A fast-paced metal onslaught that grabs you by the throut and shreds your vocal chords. Some of the highest pitched screams ever put on vinyl. This is the song that brought the band worldwide attention and shook the metal genre up. A CLASSIC! Rating - *****
"Nightrider" - Sounds alot like Judas Priest's "Dissident Aggressor" (actually the opening IS "Dissident Aggressor"!). Another furiously paced tune with very heavy drumming and bass lines. Very heavy song. A combination of Diano Iron Maiden and early Judas Priest. Doing Judas Priest BETTER than JP was at the time! A GREAT song! Rating - *****
"Blinded" - - Opens with very heavy drum and bass with power chord guitaring. Man can Scott Rockenfield f'n slam those drum skins! Some fine bass playing from Eddie Jackson as well. Has a repetitive melody "the voices keep calling...." to end the song. Another very heavy hitting, hard rocking piece of sonic art! The gems keep on being mined! Rating - *****
"the Lady Wore Black" - The only song on the EP penned by Tate. Opens with an eerie sounding electronic wind, ala Def Leppard's "Too Late For Love". Soft guitar and ballad like tempo to open the tune. Some heartfelt singing by Tate. The tempo really picks up for the chorus and then returns to the opening ballad form. Guitar solo sounds alot like the Scorpions "Still Loving You". This song got the most airplay off of the EP, and deservedly so because this song ROCKS! The future sound of Queensryche is heard on this song as the band would lean towards the more melodic Tate songs. Rating - ****
The icing on the cake here is the bonus live concert from 8/5/84 in Japan. The band not only does the whole EP, but what makes this truly special is that they are playing a PREVIEW of thier forthcoming album "The Warning"! That's right, the album hadn't been released, and the band was practicing these new songs for the forthcoming tour in support of this new album! The concert sounds fantastic! The band is as tight as a drum and as solid as steel! The liner notes say this was taken from a video/laser disc and transferred to CD. WHERE CAN I GET A COPY OF THE VIDEO? Why hasn't this been released on DVD? This needs to be put on the market NOW! Anyway, this EP destroyed most of the other metal/rock albums that were released in '83. This is a true classic that deserves to be recognized as one of the best rock debuts ever! If you are a true music lover that appreciates musicianship, BUY THIS NOW! You will not be disappointed!
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