Queensrÿche
Queensrÿche EP

The Queensrÿche are a band from Seattle, positioned in the limbo between Progressive Metal and Classic Metal (think Saxon, Iron Maiden). Obviously, if you think of the show-offs from Boston (I don't want to take their name in vain, at least this time), the 'rÿche’s style will sound to you as "just" well-played Metal with nothing to do with progressive music. They, at least in their early works, explored progressive territories without ever appearing ephemeral and excessively self-indulgent. Unlike the Heavy (or Thrash, if you will) bands of the American scene (Bay Area Docet), popping up like ants from various garages, the guys from Oregon had a very European sound and a more intellectual and sometimes politically engaged attitude.

Queensrÿche, the self-titled debut EP of Queensrÿche, saves us the task of having to decide in which genre to confine it, being pure 80s Classic Metal well played, and consequently, shows us the capabilities of this excellent band at the beginning, in its own way still unripe in style but absolutely enjoyable.
Line-Up: Geoff Tate is one of the most beautiful and effective voices in the rock world in general. In my opinion, better than both Dickinson and Halford (De Gustibus, of course). Chris DeGarmo and Michael Wilton definitely surpass any Murray and any Smith. DeGarmo is also the main one responsible for the songwriting. Eddie Jackson, if we want to continue the parallel with “the members of Iron Maiden” (forgive me for the ambiguous expression), is very technically valid, although he does not match the genius of Steve Harris. Steve Rockenfield and Clive Burr (McBrain, in my opinion, is anyway inferior) are more or less equivalent, although in subsequent albums, the evolution of drumming reaches a higher level in Queensrÿche.

After the due introduction, we come to the songs. It starts with "Queen Of The Reich", perhaps the absolute best song of Queensrÿche, where all of Tate's vocal abilities emerge, from the initial high note to the one in the chorus. The bass appears timidly, the two guitars dominate the game (the solo is very beautiful) and the drums set effective tempos that make the track very dynamic. "Nightrider" starts slow and dark with a riff reminiscent of early Black Sabbath, speeds up during the verse to then slow down and become heavier during the chorus. We arrive at "Blinded", which softens the tones of the previous ones, less evocative, but rather engaging through its three galloping minutes that end with the lament of the phenomenal singer. Another absolute masterpiece of this EP is "The Lady Wore Black", a ballad opened by an icy arpeggio, under which the sound of equally ghostly and cold wind blows. The voice lowers during the verses to then explode in the engaging chorus, and when the slow and desolate solo arrives, it is the apotheosis. It closes with "Prophecy", somewhat anonymous compared to the previous ones, and yet the one that sticks in your head the easiest. A fundamental step to understand who Queensrÿche were in 1982; an excellent debut for a band that definitely deserved greater recognition.