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A time to rock: Queensryche mixes
old and new in SLC concert
LET 'ER RIP: Queensryche
tears it up. / Photo by Ben Hansen
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By Ben Hansen
February 25, 2008 | Calling all rock fans!
When you think of the band Queensryche, what
is your favorite song? For the fair-weather fans
who cite the mega-hit Silent Lucidity, you
may have been disappointed with their show Tuesday
night at The Depot club in Salt Lake City. For
everyone else, especially Salt Lake City native
Michael Turner, it was a night to remember.
Queensryche made their highly anticipated return
to Salt Lake City to yet another sold-out venue,
and delivered a set that dug deep into their large
catalog of albums. Popular favorites were spread
throughout the show, but the band spent a significant
amount of time dishing out more obscure fan favorites,
layered evenly throughout the set. In addition
to the band's prepared set, local radio station
KBER 101 ran a contest at the start of the show
to choose the top local singer, with the winner
being able to perform in an encore with the band.
Turner, a local singer, won the right to perform
later in the evening.
The show kicked off with a cover of the song
Burning Man from their 1999 album Q2K,
followed by NM 156 from their early '80s
release, The Warning. The songs continued
to spread all eras of their music throughout the
night, most notably including Bridge, Gonna
Get Close to You, Hostage and Anybody
Listening -- songs that covered the course
of 22 years in the set.
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SAX MAN: Geoff
Tate plays at the Depot.
/ Photo by Ben Hansen |
Lead singer Geoff Tate was his usual animated self,
emphatically acting out each song as his face contorted
to release a sensational range of notes. His lyrics
were all released with such feeling that every song
felt like it was being delivered personally to each
member of the audience.
At one point in the set following the song Hands
Out of Nowhere, Tate stated passionately to the
crowd, "I like that concept . . . living so close
to the edge, and when things are about to go too far,
suddenly hands appear out of nowhere to save your sorry
ass."
Tate also shared some personal moments about needing
some "Hands" to come save him around last
Christmas, when he asked the audience if anyone in the
crowd were parents, and then explained, "We had
a failed family vacation in Europe. We all were sitting
around the fire and sipping cocoa . . . just about drove
me crazy. Those were memories that my children will
have for generations -- memories that will make them
need therapy!"
The band continued to roll through their songs, delivering
their classic hits Breaking the Silence, Jet City
Woman, and Eyes of a Stranger while the
crowd sang along, note for note. They left the stage,
and returned to perform an encore of the Pink Floyd
hit, Welcome to the Machine, complete with
Turner singing and Tate backing him up on the saxophone.
One more encore was given -- a piercing flashback to
the title track from the band's best-selling album,
Empire.
In summary, Queensryche again delivered a top-notch
show, and Tate again exemplified why so many have considered
him a heavy metal elder statesman for so long. Their
last major album release by the band, Operation
Mindcrime II, hit No. 6 on the Billboard
charts, proving that the band continues to be relevant
in album sales. As for their live show, if you haven't
been to one, it's time to go -- just make sure you get
your tickets early, as it will definitely sell out.
For more information on the band, album releases,
and tour dates, check out www.queensryche.com.
MS
MS
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