Empire

"Queensryche will never restrict ourselves by thinking ‘hey, that doesn’t sound very metal and therefore isn’t Queensryche or bring other preconceptions into the studio with us," says Geoff Tate. "Why would we limit ourselves that way? Queensryche’s style finds its way into our songs regardless of the instruments of meter… if we think to write it, no matter what it sounds like, then it’s Queensryche."

Sounding like Queensryche has earned the band a reputation. Makers of what one music magazine calls "the most powerful and complex rock to come down the pike in a long time," the Seattle-based quintet has remained artistically true to itself since its formation seven years ago. Over the course of those years, through a debut EP (Queensryche, released in 1983) and three full length albums (The Warning, 1984; Rage For Order, 1986; and Operation: Mindcrime, 1988), Queensryche has garnered the respect of music industry critics and fans alike. And, with the mass audience success of their last LP, Operation: Mindcrime, which has been certified gold, as well as a gold-plus Operation: Mindcrime home video, the band has generated considerable anticipation over their latest, Empire.

"Operation: Mindcrime was a very visual album," Chris DeGarmo explains. "From song to song there was a story that the listener could follow clearly and watch unfold before them. It was created that way, written and recorded with that effect in mind. Empire is different. It’s free-form…sort of social train-of-thought. Where, with Mindcrime we wanted to lead our listener to see a song first and then feel it, with Empire, we want our audience to feel a song first, and then, perhaps, see a situation in his or her own life, or in the world around them, that they can associate it with."

"We’re very proud of what we’ve done in the past, but Empire represents the next step for us," continues Tate. "Both musically and topically, Empire is far and away the most diverse album we’ve ever made. We really pushed out in a lot of new musical directions, explored a variety of important issues, experimented with different musical approaches and tried to broaden our texturing, vocals and lyrics. We feel a tremendous amount of growth in the material on this album."

Tate and DeGarmo express themselves with ease. The manor in which they speak is one of modest confidence. And, though the two speak measured, articulate thoughts, there is an underlying excitement and enthusiasm for their work, and for Queensryche itself, that is almost subliminally contagious. Creative, and in this case, collective, energy swirls in the air around them.

Produced by Peter Collins, who was also at the helm for Operation: Mindcrime, Empire is a departure from the "fictitious concept" concept, and a journey into the five individual personalities that are united as Queensryche. Musically, Empire is at some moments hard and heavy with raging guitars and ample percussion, and at others, gentle and sensitive, with acoustic six- and 12-string guitars and Tate’s texturous vocals smoothing the edge.

Song after song is a characteristically gritty and streetwise yet decidedly not preachy. Of introspective roots (from which a message may or may not be derived), Queensryche’s lyrics consistently testify to a social consciousness and intellectual concern that immediately and dramatically sets them apart from many other bands.

"The last thing Queensryche wants to do is stuff a message down someone’s throat," DeGarmo explains. "But we make a point of writing about things that are important to us. We consider ourselves pretty day-to-day kind of people, so we expect the topics of our songs will appeal to others."

The topics of songs on Empire cover a vast array of issues. From "Resistance," an environmental anthem, to "Della Brown," a song written about the homeless, to "Best I Can," a song about the power of positive thinking in the face of tragedy, Empire offers an enormous amount of think about. "Empire," the title track/first single, addresses the "instant" American society and pressures on our youth to achieve and accumulate material possessions by whatever means necessary.

With Empire, Queensryche proves that they have the unusual ability to deliver music that is diverse in both sound and content without compromising the level of musicianship which has earned them so much acclaim to date. Consequently, the Queensryche experience is multi-dimensional: from instrumental parts that are breathtaking, to lyrics that are often moving and inspiring (and always provoking), Empire is a most fulfilling experience.

Explains DeGarmo, "While we were making this record some things were happening that made us realize we have reached another plateau. For one, we had a number of first takes that made the final mix of the record. That starts happening and you begin to realize you’re really clicking both as a group and as individual musicians.

"We also felt very much in control of the entier process. We were communicating well with one another, and, as a result, vision to reality became easier and easier, we knew what each expected from the other and when there were trouble spots. We were able to articulate them and work through them with relative ease…It’s all part of the natural evolution of Queensryche and I definitely feel it has a lot to do with why this record is as positive in its overall makeup as it is."

Evolution is an important and recurring theory in the story of Queensryche. Queensryche is making great music because the band have, from their very inception, remained devoted to growing and developing as great musicians. It was, in fact, the passion to make the finest music possible, that brought the band together as each member performed with different bands in the early – 80s Seattle rock scene.

"We share a lot of things that go way back," explains Tate of the band’s formation. "We’re all from similar, modest homes…no empires…and we all were, and remain, in love with making music."

"I guess Queensryche started when Chris and I met when we were 16. Michael and Chris were going to high school together, Scott and Chris lived in the same apartment and had even gone to grade school together, Scott and Eddie knew each other…and we were all in different bands looking for the best musicians to play with. I mean, bands form for all kinds of reasons, but for us the music and musicianship were the factor."

"We we finally got together," say DeGarmo, "We immediately set ourselves apart from most of the other bands playing around Seattle at the time, because, even then, we were committed to, and really enjoyed, writing our own material."

It was that very creative commitment and conviction that earned Queensryche quick recognition once them began performing together. It only took the quintet the time to assemble a demo before they were signed to EMI (the demo became their debut EP, Queensryche), and within months of signing the band was playing arenas and stadiums with the likes of AC/DC, Def Leppard, Bon Jovi and Ozzy Osbourne, among others. It was a long way from the Seattle party scene and club circuit that wasa still very fresh in their minds.

"Not just in music, but in anything," says DeGarmo, "there is nothing more difficult to come to terms with, nothing that will really screw you up faster, than allowing yourself to get swept away in a quick success. I think that we managed to avoid the pitfall of cockiness or expanded egos because our main goal, always, was to just make great music. That’s not to say we didn’t have our problems, but in retrospect, I think we grew through it pretty well."

"We’ve learned so much since we formed Queensryche, not only about music, but about business," Tate continues. The success of Mindcrime, for example, occurred because we had all of the pieced together. We had great label support, great management, great tours, successful videos, extremely loyal fans, and serious attention at AOR radio, which was new for us. You put all those things together, and people start paying attention to your record."