QUEENSRYCHE – The Verdict (2019)

Iconic rockers QUEENSRYCHE will release their newest album “The Verdict” on March 1st, 2019 via Century Media Records. The record is the band’s third to feature vocalist Todd La Torre, who took over the position after Geoff Tate was dismissed from the line-up.
Following a legal battle over the name, the La Torre incarnation of the group won the rights to the Queensrÿche name, while Tate went on to tour under the name Operation: Mindcrime.

As 2019 begins, it has been well over two years since the Seattle-based monster released their last album of new material. Well, for die-hard fans the wait is now over. On Friday, March 1 Queensrÿche will release their unprecedented sixteenth studio album, “The Verdict”.
A couple of side notes on the making of “The Verdict”: original Drummer Scott Rockenfield has been on hiatus since 2017, when he took a break from the band for personal reasons. Stepping in, La Torre recorded all drum tracks as he is an accomplished drummer in his own right.
As it stands for now, there is no definitive word on when Rockenfield will return to Queensrÿche, but he still is part of the band.

In analyzing ‘The Verdict’, Queensrÿche have revamped their classic sound in a more sonically brighter tone than on the previous album. With ten new tracks, ‘The Verdict’ gifts Queensrÿche’s trademark lyrical context for a crumbling society.
The album also hands over many moments that will take a longtime listener back to the band’s first two LP’s, 1984’s The Warning and 1986’s Rage for Order.

Getting down to business, ‘The Verdict’ is first read by the opening track, “Blood of the Levant” showcasing the consolidation of a newly born band bringing some of the Seattle natives’ classic twin guitars, a properly cadenced and proggy kitchen and thunderous vocals by La Torre. The chorus changes pace marvelously and the whole track is a welcome mat.
“Man the Machine” speeds up things a bit, though not enough to lose that characteristic late ’80s Queensrÿche vibe, and offers some of the best vocal lines in the album. While it plays similarly to their new mix of sounding old and new at the same time, it feels organic and fresh.

Next, “Light Years” hits a solid progressive rhythmic edge before the harmonies of “Inside Out,” which are reminiscent of fellow rockers Saigon Kick. Halfway through CD, we arrive at “Propaganda Fashion” and the track’s in-your-face, chasing melody and interrogating connotation.
The middle portion of the album holds the more emotional and epic tunes, making for a pretty well-balanced experience.
“Dark Reverie” could be portrayed as a semi-ballad, but saying that could deceive the true nature of the song, which is very somber and…well, dark; this features the best solo in the effort and is also one of the few times that they make use of keyboards. This is a really good song.

Follow-up “Bent” continues the semi-ballad trend and, while less gloomy and more accessible, provides solid ground and cool instrumental, especially with the duo Wilton / Parker Lundgren going at it in the guitar work.
“Inner Unrest” surprised me a bit, mainly in a good way. This particular track is probably an epitome of what Queensrÿche does best today in terms of songwriting and allying melodic heavy lines to their prog metal DNA. It’s intricate and intelligent, and quite experimental.
There’s a supercharged riff attack on “Launder the Conscience” , while the finale, “Portrait” is yet another compelling album closer which is something many a fan has become accustomed to from Queensrÿche.

What you have on Queensryche’s “The Verdict” is a ten-track CD of very well-done songs that show a band still on top of their game.
These old dudes are packing quite a punch since they exorcised the bald ghost haunting them. This 2019 Queensryche feels like that early ’80s killer band playing from the heart and writing organic, pleasant heavy rock music.
‘The Verdict’ is further proof that Queensrÿche is pretty much alive and kickin’ it, with some really strong, memorable moments. Easily, their best album since ‘Promised Land’ (1994).
HIGHLY Recommended

01 – Blood of the Levant
02 – Man the Machine
03 – Light-Years
04 – Inside Out
05 – Propaganda Fashion
06 – Dark Reverie
07 – Bent
08 – Inner Unrest
09 – Launder the Conscience
10 – Portrait

Todd La Torre – Vocals, Drums
Michael Wilton – Guitars
Parker Lundgren – Guitars
Eddie Jackson – Bass

Pre Order:
www.amazon.com/Verdict-Queensryche/dp/B07MBBYWJ5
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