Who Dat? The Replacement Singers

Who Dat?

As the legendary bands age, members come and go. Some die, some get fired, some quit. But just because an original member isn't in the band anymore, is it still the same band? Should the band call it quits because the original bass player quit? Hell, should the band hang it up if the singer or guitarist quits? Gets fired? Dies? I got into a discussion with a good friend of mine a couple days ago, and we disagreed on the subject. He was saying that if the original lineup wasn't there, it was nothing more than a cover band. I maintained that it depends on the situation. Bands like Molly Hatchet, who have a lineup that features not one single original member are cover bands. Or, Bobby Blotzer, formerly of Ratt suing the original lineup for the name, where  he would be the only original  member. However, a band like Queensryche is still the band. 3/5 of the original lineup are still there. We're going to talk about several bands in this piece, and explore the fan's reaction to the new members. Since I've already mentioned Queensryhe, we'll start with them.

Queensryche's original lineup released their first 6 albums together. The first member to depart was guitarist, Chris DeGarmo, who left the band to pursue a career as an airline pilot. Many people considered the band to be dead when he left. Since his departure, they had 2 replacement guitarists, neither of who captured the essence of DeGarmo's playing. However, the third time is the charm in this case. Current guitarist, Parker Lundgren does the best job out of the three of them at matching the style of DeGarmo. And, he's been on more Queensryche albums than the other two guitarists, including the 2 released with replacement singer, Todd LaTorre. (Both albums charted in the top 30, which had not happened in a long time) LaTorre who replaced singer, Geoff Tate after his firing as mostly accepted by the fans, although you'd never know it if you look at social media, where supporters of Geoff Tate rattle off the same tired dribble like "No Tate, no Queensryche!" over and over again. Although they never seem to dispute the counter arguments that say that Tate can't even sing the songs anymore for some reason. The song writing is back to the style that the fans wanted, which is the classic power metal that made the band famous in the first place.

Todd LaTorre of Queensryche

Next, we'll take a look at a replacement singer who was hated by the fans. Blaze Bayley of Iron Maiden. And, before you start sending me messages and comments, Yes, I know that Bruce Dickinson was also a replacement singer. We aren't talking about Bruce. Not to mention, he's back in the band, and has been for a long time, so its a non issue. Blaze had a rough time as Maiden's singer. All that really needs to be said is that the fans hated him, and they hated the 2 albums that he sang on. But, finally, Bruce came back on 2000's Brave New World, and the fans rejoiced.

Blaze Bayley with Iron Maiden

Next, we're going to talk about another group of metal gods, who are none other than the Metal Gods themselves. Judas Priest. When Rob Halford left the band to pursue a solo career, the fans were angry. But, a few years later, the band found Tim 'Ripper' Owens, who sounded just like Halford.  His first album with Priest, Jugulator was released with a mix of criticism and praise. Most fans liked the album, but there were some detractors who complained that it was too heavy. I've always maintained that if you read the album credits in Jugulator, you will see Halford's name listed in about half the songs. Jugulator was going to be the next Priest album with or without Halford. But, the next album, Demolition, a lot the praise for Ripper had gone away. Although it was a great metal album, it didn't sound like Priest, and many fans believed that it was time for Ripper to go. And, he did, and has had a pretty successful career. 

Tim 'Ripper' Owens with Judas Priest

And last, but not least, we're going to talk about the most successful replacement singer of all time...well, recent time, anyway, since Brian Johnson of AC/DC, who is the most successful replacement singer of all time is not with them anymore. Plus, he's a lot like Bruce Dickinson. He is a replacement singer, but the band got gi-normous once he came in. No, we're going to talk about Arnel Pineda of Journey. You all know his story. Guitarist, Neal Schon found him on YouTube, a singer in the Philippines, playing in cover bands, in crappy bars. They had tried to bring other singers, but were unsuccessful. But, once Pineda came in, Journey found themselves selling out arenas and stadiums once again. Having a singer who launches himself through the air like a young David Lee Roth certainly doesn't hurt. But, while there are detractors and purists for all of these singers, Pineda, I would say has had the most success. Sure, there are people who would rather have Steve Perry back in Journey, but I'm not one of them...And, neither is Steve Perry!

Perry and Pineda. Respect.

So, in conclusion, you simply aren't going to be able to please everyone. I don't think that just because an original singer goes away for whatever reason that the band simply becomes a cover band, or a 'Fake-Ryche' or 'Mock Up Priest,' or 'Iron Rip-Off' or whatever creative name that the detractors came up with. The band members want to continue to tour, and make albums, and the fans still want to see them. So, why should they quit? If you ask me, they shouldn't.

.

Arnel Pineda with journey

However, Bobby Blotzer needs to give it up! 

Queensryche: Condition Human, Album Review

Evolution Calling!

Truth.

In 2013, Queensryche fans got what they were hoping for. A return to form album from one of the pioneers of progressive metal. Their self titled album was just what Doctor X ordered. Seems he delivered the cure after all. Although the album wasn't progressive metal, it was better than anything released after Promised Land. It was even better than Empire. The band needed to get an album out fast, and they did; And, the fans rewarded them for it with a #23 debut on the charts. For the first time in years, the band was working cohesively as a unit, and it showed. That all being said, the fans were left wondering if the band could evolve into something much better, and get back to their true progressive roots, without sounding like simple rehash of classic albums.

Lets just get that out of the way right now. They did, and on a grand scale. Condition Human seems to be the natural evolution that the band should have taken years ago after Promised Land, rather than venturing into the realms of grunge and even adult contemporary. However, the band got rid of the main problem, released the self titled album, toured extensively, and got to know each other musically once again, along with the new members. Then, they produced this juggernaut. Once again, just what Doctor X ordered. Double time.

Todd LaTorre

The first thing you'll notice is the incredible vocal range of Todd LaTorre. Something that was mostly absent in the songs from the previous album. He did after all replace Midnight of Crimson Glory, so you knew it was there. He leads the songs effortlessly, piercing the stratosphere, dipping low, and everything in between. Also, the vocal harmony is every bit as good it was in the first albums. Backed up by Eddie Jackson and Parker Lundgren, the vocals are a fine tuned instrument on their own in every song. 

Parker Lundgren and Michael Wilton

The next thing you'll notice is the great guitar work. Queensryche has always been known for great guitar solos, twin axe harmony solos, which are the perfection you'd expect. Parker Lundgren has much more duties in the lead guitar department than on the previous album, and executes flawlessly. Michael Wilton is great as always. This is a unit equal to Priest and Maiden in talent. Check out track 10, All There Was. One thing that is different though is the rhythm guitar. Its a monster all its own. There is mauling rhythm guitar in all the songs, but specifically, the rhythm guitar in Guardian, Toxic Remedy, and Hellfire is a step up in Queensryche music. Think the skill and precision of The Needle Lies, except throughout the entire song.

Eddie Jackson and Scott Rockenfield

And the last thing you'll notice, but certainly not the least thing  is the rhythm section of Eddie Jackson and Scott Rockenfield. This has always been a unit in beast mode, but the work produced in this album is nothing short of incredible. Scott Rockenfield is one of the all time great drummers of heavy metal, but he does things in this album that defy logic. Eddie Jackson is one of the most solid bass players to play in a metal band. The two join together to form a deep and powerful assault on the foundation of the building you're jamming the album in.

Now, lets get into the music itself. One question I've been asked is "Does it sound like Mindcrime or Rage for Order? What album does it sound like?" Well, it does sound like a Queensryche album. It sounds exactly like Condition Human. And, isn't that what we all wanted? Yes, there are songs that could have fit on previous albums, like the title track COULD have been on Mindcrime, and there are several songs that COULD have been on Rage or Promised Land, but Condition Human sounds like its own creation. Modern Queensryche with deep rooted influences that prove that they are still very much the band we all know and love from years back.

There are songs that have the progressive/mature feel of Promised Land. Songs that have the deep and dark technical aspects of Rage and Mindcrime. There is even a hint of Crimson Glory influence no doubt because of Todd  LaTorre writing with the band. But just because there is influence doesn't mean that it sounds just like anything else. One thing you will NOT find here is a song that is centered around a riff from a song off a classic album, played a little faster with new lyrics.

Condition Human is proof that things get better with age. I would definitely put this in the band's top three, and maybe best overall. You decide! You will not be disappointed! 

Its available on Google Play, Amazon, Best Buy, Itunes, Walmart, FYE, and anywhere else you can buy music. If you haven't gotten it yet, get it THIS WEEK, so we can chart this bad boy!

And PS, if you're in Queensryche or a member of their management, we really need to get the band on my radio show. ;)

TNT Found Active on Skid Row

I really don't get it. All the hatred that comes from "fans" of rock/ metal singers when the band dares to replace a singer. We went through it when Todd La Torre replaced Geoff Tate in Queensryche, when Ripper Owens replaced Rob Halford in Judas Priest, and when Blayze Bayley replaced Bruce Dickinson in Iron Maiden. There are others which we will get to shortly, but now, we are going to focus on the current situation.

The current situation is of course, Tony Harnell of TNT replacing NOT Sebastian Bach of Skid Row, but Johnny Solinger of Skid Row. But, if you read over the comments on Blabbermouth's Facebook page. you'd swear that Skid Row with Sebastian Bach had been a united force releasing hits and packing stadiums since the 80's, and that the band had just replaced Bach out of the blue. That isn't the case. Not even close.

Its 18. As in the number
of years Solinger was in
Skid Row.

Skid Row and Sebastian Bach parted ways in 1996, and have had (NOT counting Tony Harnell) not one, but TWO singers since Bach. Johnny Solinger has been Skid Row's singer for almost TWENTY YEARS which is almost double the amount of time that Bach was the singer,

One of the most prevalent comments I've seen is about the newly released re recording of the Skid Row hit, 18 and Life with Tony Harnell on vocals. These people somehow think that the recording is a slap in the face to Sebastian Bach. It isn't. Its simply a preview of what is coming from the band, The band understands that releasing a classic hit would reach more people than it would if they had re recorded one of the songs from any of their albums with Solinger. Really. That's all it is. A preview, and a damn good one at that. The band is not going to re record the first two albums. Tony Harnell not only hit all of the notes in that song, he nailed them. That's the best that song has sounded since it was originally recorded. Sebastian Bach is a great studio singer, but he was nowhere near as good live than he was in the studio. Another fact that is lost on some of these people is that Harnell was announced as the singer 2 weeks ago, and the band has already clicked with him well enough to record this song.

Harnell

Bach

Click this link. Its a live performance of Sebastian Bach while with Skid Row.(In the 80's.) Now, click this link. Its a performance of Tony Harnell that was done last year with TNT. At 50 years old, Harnell sounds better live than Bach did when he was in his 20's. There, I said it. Nothing against Bach at all. He has always been and always will be one of my favorite singers. But so is Harnell.

This move also is not like Owens, La Torre, or Bayley replacing the singers in Priest, Queensryche, and Maiden. Its much different. Its more like Ronnie James Dio replacing Ozzy in Black Sabbath than anything. Harnell is a well known and respected singer. The aforementioned singers were relative unknowns for the most part.

Truth

Its really as simple as this: Sebastian Bach and Skid Row will never reunite. To expect them to hang it up just because Bach (who is NOT even the original singer) is stupid and delusional. If you like Skid Row, they finally have a singer who can not only nail the notes, but is a class act. Go see them, and buy the albums. Or, don't. But to trash and insult the band is stupid. To say that Tony Harnell sucks is idiotic, and shows ignorance on an epic scale. The band knows better what is best for them than their so called fans who apparently didn't even know that Bach has been gone for years. To expect them to simply change the name is even more ignorant. The band owns the name, so why should they?

I guess another situation you could compare this to would be when Van Halen brought in Sammy Hagar. Everyone was screaming about how horrible it was. Then, after a couple decades, they brought back David Lee Roth, and the same people are bitching about that. Maybe these people need to just let the band do what they need to do. Van Halen proves that no matter what a band does, the fans are never going to be satisfied as long as it doesn't sound exactly like it did back in the glory days.

We brought Dave back!
What more do you want???

People need to stop living in the past, and accept what is in front of them, or just be happy listening to the old music.

There Can Be Only One!! (Queensryche)

I've detailed the entire Queensryche controversy in the early days of  this blog, and now that its over, it seems only fitting that I go over the conclusion here too. Yep! Its over. The band with Todd LaTorre, Parker Lundgren, Michael Wilton, Eddie Jackson, and Scott Rockenfield is Queensryche! Geoff Tate will have to call his band something else. Its official! The dust is still settling, but the paths for each party have been laid out, and it was done by agreement, rather than a nasty court trial. Both sides are apparently happy with the settlement.

Also, from this point on, when I mention 'Queensryche,' I will be referring to Queensryche, and not Geoff Tate and his band. (I always did mean that, but I just had to clarify.)

There can be only ONE!!!

But honestly, the proof was in the print. Queensryche's self titled album shattered Tate's Frequency Unknown in sales. It sold more in the first month than Frequency Unknown did to DATE. It has also outsold the American Soldier  and Dedicated to Chaos albums to date. Also, Queensryche's self titled album (QRST?) received rave reviews constantly, (here is mine) while not one person seemed to have anything nice to say about Frequency Unknown. I sure didn't. But, that fact is once again backed up by the record sales. It all boiled down to the fact that the band was listening to what the loyal fans were saying, and decided to go back to making the music that put Queensryche on the map in the first place. Tate was wanting to make some 'weird electronic progressive rock band thing', and the fans weren't having it. Hence the sales of Dedicated to Chaos. A line in the sand was drawn, and both sides agreed that there could be only ONE Queensryche, and ultimately, there is one, the only one Queensryche until kingdom come, who claimed the prize!

This was the best performance of Mindcrime, and the
only one I need to see.

Basically, the stipulations are this: Queensryche gets the name, and the rights to perform all the songs from all the albums, however, Geoff Tate is allowed to perform Operation: Mindcrime I&II in their entirety for such performances. That has confused lots of fans, and it will be clarified when the band makes its press conference in a few days. What it means is that while the band can preform any song they want from the Mindcrime albums,  they cannot do a tour playing the album(s) in their entirety. If they want to play all the songs on Mindcrime except for say...the short song intros to other songs, and Suite Sister Mary, they can do that. Its a lot like the settlement between Pink Floyd and Roger Waters. Personally, I am okay with this. Geoff Tate has ran Mindcrime into the ground over the past 2 years with his merry band of misfit performers. I really don't want to see it performed in its entirety. Besides, I saw it performed to perfection on the Empire tour with all 5 original members in one of the most amazing concerts I've ever seen. That's something you really only need to see once in a lifetime in my opinion. Plus, I own Operation: Livecrime. Also, Geoff Tate gets to do a farewell tour under the Queensryche banner this summer. I would imagine that it will be billed as Geoff Tate's Queensryche, but after that, he will have to call his band something else.

I have no earthly idea!

Now, as I eagerly wait for the next Queensryche album, there are a few things that I'm wondering. One, What will happen to Frequency Unknown? Will future copies of that album still bear the Queensryche name? It shouldn't really matter though. Its not like that album is having to be reprinted or anything. I'm just wondering if I should buy another copy in case it becomes a collectors item sometime in the future. (I trashed the copy that I reviewed)  Two, After Geoff Tate's farewell tour, what will he be playing live? His solo albums including Frequency Unknown? (He didn't like playing things off that album to begin with...and I don't blame him. lol)  Three, Since Queensryche has the rights to perform the songs from the Tateryche albums (Hear in the Now Frontier, Tribe, Q2K, OMII, American Soldier, and Dedicated to Chaos) will they allow Tate to perform those? I seriously doubt they will be performing any songs from those albums. Also, I gotta admit that I was slightly intrigued with Tate's performance of Lola on that morning news show in Seattle, with Vaudeville. If he was to tour doing that, I MIGHT go see it, as long as it isn't called Queensryche. It was interesting, and the blonde on the left was ridiculously smoking hot.

Queensryche: Michael Wilton, Eddie Jackson, Todd LaTorre,
Parker Lundgren, Scott Rockenfield. Its OFFICIAL!

Anyway, in closing, I just want to say congratulations to the one and only Queensryche, and I am looking forward to the future of this great band. I have high hopes because the band has said in interviews that the new songs they are writing are HEAVY! That is the word that every fan has been dying to hear 'spoken' from the band for years. The future of Queensryche is bright in the hands of Todd LaTorre, Eddie Jackson, Michael Wilton, Scott Rockenfield, and Parker Lundgren. The self titled album was great. Now, its time for the masterpiece.

Now that its all over, I think of the band I grew up with, and.......

....I remember now.

2013: Beginning of a Heavy Metal Renaissance?

Metal, and I mean REAL good ol' heavy metal that dominated the 80's has been dead since the end of the 80's. It seems to have gone by the wayside, with the bands breaking up, and the ones that don't break up decided to change with the times and neuter their music. It was a shame. Metal fans from all over the globe wondered what the hell happened to their music and bands, and were demanding real bands back. But, the record companies had decided that metal was dead, and flannel was the new leather. Crappy 3 chord progressions with bad mixdowns, and a monotone whiners calling themselves singers replaced the incredible virtuoso guitarists, excellent vocals by guys who actually sang, and the recordings were produced by professionals.

But, hope was not lost. In 2008,  a group of visionaries came forth, and put together a band that would make people realize just how much of a good thing was gone. They were not afraid to once again don the leather, makeup, and mega talented song writing abilities. Steel Panther took the stage, and asked the important question:

Where is Def Leppard? Where is Mötley Crüe?Why do all my lyrics sound like Dr. Seuss?

Also, leading the battle cry against all things modern corporate music machine with a powerful incantation, they pierced the stratosphere, screaming 'DEATH TO ALL BUT METAL!!!!!'

At first, the band was labeled as a gimmick that wouldn't last long. But, as the crowds and venues they played got larger, combined with exposed boobies and cigarette lighters returning to concerts, people began realizing that REAL metal had been underground for far too long...And that it was time bring it back! Heavy Metal faithful rejoice!

Critics weren't the only people to recognize the truth. Slowly but surely, the metal bands of the 1980's began reforming and writing new 'return to form' types of albums. A handful of musicians grouped up to form supergroups. And it was a breath of fresh air to every metal fan who grew up in Metal's Golden Age. But, new fans were getting in on it too. Look at the ages of people on these bands Facebook pages...I've seen many teenagers on pages for bands like Queensryche or even Fates Warning saying that they were new fans, and they love that type of music. Its very refreshing. You can also see it at these bands concerts. Especially Steel Panther. Its not just 40+ year old women flashing their boobies. ;)

reforming and writing new 'return to form' types of albums. A handful of musicians grouped up to form supergroups. And it was a breath of fresh air to every metal fan who grew up in

In 2013, twenty four classic metal bands/ artists released new studio albums. Most of them were 'return to form' type albums, and they all have one thing in common...They are SELLING. I'm going to list my top 10 in no particular order here:

If you look up 'return to form album' in the dictionary, you will see this album. After many years of disappointing albums, Queensryche, along with Todd LaTorre on vocals released their self titled effort, which easily fits in the category of Queensryche's great albums along with Operation: Mindcrime, Rage for Order, and Promised Land. Its first month outsold BOTH of their previous albums in their first months combined.

Another 'Return to form' album, Stryper proudly releases 'No More Hell to Pay' which fits in between their greatest albums, Soldiers Under Command and To Hell With The Devil. Michael Sweet still has the range he did in the 80's. If anything, his voice is even more powerful.

In keeping with the 'return to form' model here, Skid Row released the album that should have come after Slave to the Grind, United World Rebellion: Part One. Seems like everyone still has 'GOT' it!

Fates Warning, after a long hiatus got back together, and released Darkness in a Different Light, and it

seemed like they never even went away in the first place.

Alice in Chains, is back with a new singer. They released The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here, one of their best albums to date. I am not aware of any Alice in Chains albums that weren't good, so there's no surprise here. I know they came after the 80's, but they were really the only band that was worth a damn in the grunge era. That's because they weren't a grunge band. They were a metal band that happened to come from Seattle.

Megadeth and Super Collider. Need I say more? Dave Mustaine and Megadeth are one of the only 80's bands that never went through an 'album selling' phase by wearing makeup and making stripped down music to try to fit in with what was popular in the 90's. Their sound did change, but not in an effort to fit in. It was to do something a little different for a change. Say what you want about Megadeth. At least they never released an album with no guitar solos.

Another 'return to form' album, Black Sabbath returned to their deep, creepy, doom and gloom, apocalyptic sound that put them on the map in the first place with 13.  It was strange hearing 'Is God Dead?' being played on the radio right after some crappy band named after a position in football.

Motorhead and Aftershock. Nothing else necessary to say other than 'LEMMY!'

Got it? Good.

Pamela Moore's album, Resurrect Me is iconic. It is her first heavy metal album, and it is just as much of a heavy hitter as any of these others. In fact, most of the songs on this album make just about anything on rock radio stations these days seem like bubblegum...or maybe they are bubblegum? Who cares? This album kicks ass!

What a good way to round out the list than with Dream Theater. They have yet another self titled effort, and its my favorite since their first two albums, Images and Words, and Awake. 

Honorable mention to The Winery Dogs for their self titled release. Consisting of Billy Sheehan, Ritchie Kotzen, and Mike Portnoy, they have released one of the best 'supergroup' albums ever done.

Check out the other 14 classics who have all released great albums this year:

Jason Newsted's 'Newsted' and 'Heavy Metal Music'
Helloween: Straight out of Hell
Saxon: Sacrifice
Krokus: Dirty Dynamite
Anthrax: Anthems
Warlord: the Holy Empire
Suicidal Tendencies: 13
Deep Purple: Now What?
Vicious Rumors: Electric Punishment
Kingdom come: Outlier
UDO: Steelhammer
Anvil: Hope in Hell
GWAR: Battle Maximus

I'm sure I missed a few. There were also several bands like Judas Priest and Manowar who released live albums.

Honestly, can you think of a better year for metal albums than 2013 in the past 20 years or so? I can't. And, I'm hoping that 2014 will be even better with more 'return to form' albums, and overall great albums. These releases are better than any of the current 'modern' metal bands on their BEST days. There are several exceptions. Bands like Avenged Sevenfold, Disturbed, etc are great bands, but we aren't talking about modern bands now, are we?

So, go out and buy these albums! Support the bands when they come in concert, bug the crap out of your local rock radio stations, and maybe...Just maybe Heavy Metal will return to its glory years in a spandex and leather Metal Renaissance!

Interview with Pamela Moore

I'd like to thank Ms. Moore for the opportunity she gave me to interview her. I had a lot of fun, and she is a very friendly lady. We discussed her new album; Resurrect Me on Rat Pak Records, which I also reviewed earlier. 

Here is the interview:

Me: I do have one Queensryche related question for you if that's ok.

PM: (laughs) That's fine go ahead.

Me: What was it like coming out on stage at their album release concert, and doing Suite Sister Mary with Todd LaTorre? Because, when you took the stage, the crowd just went nuts.

PM: It was awesome. So you were there, huh?

Me: No, but I did watch all the Youtube footage from it.

PM: You know, it’s always awesome for me to be on stage.  I love it!  Solo, or with my friends!Queensryche, all of them have been like family to me, and being able to join up with them is kind of like being “home”. <giggles> I've done “Sister Mary” with Geoff, of course but this was a first with Todd,  it was a very pivotal moment, especially for him, and he kicked butt! He was just ON, and I was like "WOW!" I mean we rehearsed it to make sure we were doing the right notes, but when it was time for performance, Todd just turned it on!  He killed it!  WOW, there it was. All I could think was Good job!  I was really proud of him.

Me: Yeah, on the last high note of the song toward the end is a dual note, and the two of you nailed it together. I don't think I ever heard it like that except on the album until that point.

PM: It was a great night… (laughs)

Me: Ok, that's all about Queensryche. I just had to know about that particular moment. It seemed really special. So, when is your tour for Resurrect Me kicking off?

PM: Hopefully soon. Right now, I hope to have at least one more show under my belt before the end of the year, but no tour scheduled yet. I just booked my first Concert Cruise - Cruise To the Edge~2014 that my band members and me are excited about doing in April In the meantime, I'm still practicing with the band.  My Band sounds awesome! The songs translate so well, live.  Very powerful!  That's why I am really excited to get out there and show it off!  Hopefully, other people feel the same way.

Me: So, the album met or exceeded your personal expectations for it?

PM: Oh yeah. It took a long time to make, and the only reason for that was because of a lot of things that happened in between. It was 4 years in the making, and it was only supposed to be one or two. I ended up moving from Chicago back to my hometown, which is Seattle. I did a couple tours with Primal Fear, just a lot of different things that kept me busy. But, I was able to record my first year, and put together my ideas for format on the songs, and I was happy. I was excited about the different things we were working on. It really seemed to resonate with me at the time, a lot of growth came out of it, and I feel like it really pushed me, and pushed my vocal ability, and my heart a little more too. I went through a change, there were some specific things that I can keep for myself, and hopefully, other people can take what they want from it. It’s funny because we pieced this whole thing together. Seriously. We didn't just work out of one studio.We recorded out of four or five different ones, so all things considered, the way that it all fell together, and the common thread between it all, turned into a really good album that I always wanted to make, and I want to do another one.NOW! (smile)

Me: I'll buy it! PM: Well, thank you. (giggles)

Me: I haven't heard any of your previous releases, and I get the feeling that this is your first metal album.

PM: The last album I did that was considered a solo album because I co wrote on it with a friend of mine. It had a harder edge to it, but it wasn't metal or hard rock. It has more of an electronic ambient feel to it. The other releases that I did before, I didn't write on very many of them. On one CD, Solna, I was commissioned to only sing which Ralf Scheepers was also commissioned to do. And then acouple of really early albums from when I had just gotten out of school, those are really soft, album oriented rock, so again, I have a diverse taste in music, but my heart is in the rock and metal vein which I'm known for. I've dabbled in a lot. The only thing I haven’t dabbled in is country.

Me: Lets not do that one just yet. (laughs)

PM: (Laughing) Yeah that might confuse people even more.

Me: Where was the Paranoia video shot?

PM: We shot it in Concrete Washington, which is north of Seattle, in the foothills of the mountains. The building is an old concrete factory that they tried to destroy, but it didn't come down. The area is very peaceful, but eerie. The building has been graffiti all over, there are big holes in the walls from where they tried to destroy the building, and there are stories about something paranormal going on there. It was really the perfect location for the type of song that Paranoia is. It was really cold, and I was damp and cold, and afterward, it seemed to take 24 hours to warm up.

Me: One thing I gotta know is whether or not the album is a concept or themed towards vampires? My wife swears that by listening, she can formulate a vampire story.

PM: That would be awesome. That's funny! I've been asked that before, and it was never intended to be a conceptual album at all. It was just us putting things together, and I think the common thread was me going through these difficult moments, personally, but I can tell you this...One of the songs, Melt Into You. After I heard the music, I went and watched the first episode of Twilight, and the whole idea of falling in love or having a crush on somebody who isn't necessarily that good for you. It might be a bad thing, but it was pretty interesting to me. I think I said in another publication that our most destructive relationships are the most interesting ones, and so that song out of all of them, that’s the one that was probably vampire inspired. But if you think about all the songs, they really could be. If you wanted to write out a movie set, and get your wife to write down what she was thinking, you never know!  Sounds like a great idea! I don't really like to tell people what certain songs are about because its your job or wish as an artist that people latch onto a song and find personal ownership in it, it makes it really interesting for them, and I feel like the song even more. So, if I said, "Ok, this song is about eating cracker jacks." you're like "Well, yeah," and you kind of lose the whole romanticism of your interpretation.

Me: My favorite songs on the album are 'Wide Awake' and 'We are Damaged.' I was wondering what your favorites are.

PM: I love them all! (giggles) My favorite lately has been Awakening. The reason for that is because it’s kind of a sleeper. It has that kind of mid tempo and easy feel to it, and then it takes you into this huge, chaotic and crazy ending. Another one that is becoming a favorite of mine is also 'Wide Awake.' I think of all the songs, that’s the one song that is isn't as dark, and almost like a prequel to the next album.

Me: Its kind of funny that you say that. That song comes off to me as darker, as one of the more darker songs on the album.

PM: Well, it does have a kind of gothic sound to it, with strings, and chanting "I am!" But if you listen to the lyrics, it’s about a rebirth. Finally, you are wide awake. You can see things, and you're rising up, and asking those to come with you. ” I am wide awake”. But the music is probably what you're hearing as dark. Most of the songs have a pretty darker subject matter to them. Lets see, the darkest would be maybe Acquiescent, or even Resurrect Me. There's a lot of things going on in there. I think when you talk about dark content, you may be talking musically. I am talking lyrically. Particularly on Wide Awake.

Me: Yeah, I was referring to the musical content and not the lyrics. How did your band come to be your band?

PM: Michael Posch wrote Most of the music, so for shows, I obviously had to find some people that would fit the bill, and I lucked out. I have some pretty amazing and very professional musicians. These guys have really been under the radar, so once we start playing, a lot of people will stand up and take notice. I want to reenact the album live, and that's pretty much what you hear.

Me: That's good. Is this going to be the band who records the next album with you?

PM: I don't know. We'll have to see. I have about 4 songs that Michael and I have in the box that we revisited this summer. It very well could be that the guys record the album with me, that would be awesome, but you never know.

Me: Judging by the photos from the debut show, it looks like all of you are just up there having a blast.

PM: Yeah, it was awesome, especially for Michael because he and I wrote the album, and this was the first time playing these songs live in front of an audience, and to get the response that we got was simply amazing. We've been really blessed, and that is huge validation, a huge pat on the back!  And, with everybody, the chemistry is just right, and that is really cool because it is really hard to find that, and when you have something like that as a musician, you want to make sure you hang onto that, you know?

Me: Yes, I do. A couple adjectives that I would use to describe your voice are 'haunting and beautiful.' I can remember even back in the 80's when Mindcrime was released, and hearing your voice, and thinking 'who is this lady, and where did they find her?'

PM: I remember back in the 80's, a lot of people thought it was Geoff singing, and once the Empire tour came around, they were like "Oh, it IS a girl singing." (laughs)

Me: Well, those people didn't read the album credits.

PM: No, they didn't, but I am always thankful for compliments for anything I have done. Thank you.

Me: Thank you for an awesome album. I have 2 more questions for you. One, have you ever been approached to sing the National Anthem at a sporting event?

PM: No, I haven't, but I think I'd be afraid. (laughs)

Me: Well, singing acapella is kind of scary.

PM: Its really neat. It is quite the song, and its been done very differently by a lot of different people. Sometimes horribly, sometimes honorably.

Me: The best was Whitney Houston at the Super Bowl in the early 90s.

PM: And what about Christina Aguilera? Come on, you gotta get the lyrics right!  Right?  (laughs)

Me: If you do get to sing it in the future, please make sure someone in your inner circle is filming it.

PM: (laughing) Ok, it seems like everyone is filming everything these days, so that shouldn't be too hard.

Me: Yep. Ok, last question. If you look on You Tube, there is footage from the early 80's of Meatloaf performing with a Pamela Moore. I gotta know if that's you.

PM: Nope. That's not me. In fact, I have been trying to find that woman because we both broke onto the scene around the same time. She has also worked with Bob Segar, and another band. But we get ourselves mixed up and rightfully so because we are both singers with the same name and we've both done a little bit in the business.  Nope. I have always tried to seek her out!

Me: Hey, Pamela, I loved you with Queensryche, and I hear you got a new album about vampires!

PM: (laughing) Yep, and she's like "That's not me! What are you talking about???" So, if you ever come across another Pamela Moore, please tell her that I want to talk to her. (laughs)

Me: Well, I'm not going to take up any more of your time, and I want to thank you for this chance to interview you. I had a lot of fun, and I hope you did too. Hope you have a good night.

PM: Thank you. Spread the word for me, and I really appreciate this opportunity! You have a good night too.


So, buy the album, (here is an Amazon link) and see her when she comes to town in concert! Also, if you know the other Pamela Moore, tell her that Sweet Sister Pamela would like to grab a cup of coffee! Her Facebook page is here. Also, book your ticket to see Pamela Moore along with another familiar favorite on  the Cruise to the Edge 2014. 

Queensryche Self Titled Album Review

....A revolution in disguise,

Mesmerized by shadows.....

Nope. Its not disguised at all. It is on display in plain view, for all to see. The revolution is calling, and the word has been spoken. The word is not Mindcrime; However it IS Vindication and Redemption. And, the words it would seem are all of us! Queensryche is BACK! Scott Rockenfield, Michael Wilton, Eddie Jackson, along with guitarist Parker Lundgren and new singer, Todd LaTorre. 

I was blown away by the 3 new tracks that Queensryche released. Redemption, Where Dreams Go To Die, and Fallout were easily the best songs that the band has put out in a VERY long time. I kept reading reviews by people who had heard the whole album, but I was still skeptical. Can you blame me? The last Queensryche album that I liked was Promised Land. Sure, I was skeptical, but that didn't stop me from pre ordering the new album, and I was counting the days until my copy of the answer to my prayers to the Metal Gods would be delivered to my door.

Well, I didn't get my copy today. This morning, I was eating my breakfast and looking over the news and Facebook as I usually do, and I saw that Queensryche had put a stream of the entire album on their website.   At first, I was going to avoid listening to it. I had avoided the 90 second samples that the band had released, and I wanted to wait until the CD was delivered to my door before I listened to the whole thing. But, I kept reading the comments on the band's Facebook page from people who had listened to the whole thing, and I caved. I have no will power apparently. I listened. Several times, and I'm glad I did. 

Many reviewers have stated that this album is the best since Promised Land or Empire. I am going to take a controversial standpoint and say that this is the best Queensryche album since Promised Land, but is better than Empire. Yeah, I know I'm going to take some heat for saying this, but hear me out. 

I like Empire and Promised Land alot, which is more than I can say for anything released after that. But, in my opinion, Empire was the start of the downward spiral. Empire was the first album that Queensryche put out with  'filler songs.' We had great songs like Empire, Resistance, Best I Can, Anybody Listening, etc. But, we also had Della Brown (which was the first of many cigar bar type power ballads that came later) One and Only, and of course, Silent Lucidity. I NEVER liked those songs, and while Promised Land was a good album, it had a couple more of the cigar bar power ballads. The new album has NO filler songs, and definitely no cigar bar songs. No disrespect whatsoever is intended toward the band regarding the 'cigar bar' songs. 

Now, fast forward about 20 years, and Queensryche has a new singer, and have released a new album. I've already given my opinion on it, but let's review each song. Ready? Here we go!

-Track 1, X2...I was kind of expecting something similar to the Mindcrime intro, Anarchy X. I was blown away when I heard the track. It sounds nothing like Anarchy X. What it sounds like is the music behind a sci fi action film's trailer. You know, one of those trailers that has little or no words, but kick ass music with scenes from the movie? I was envisioning the trailer to Star Trek: Into Darkness when I heard this. I also heard some of the computer mechanical sounds used in NM 156. Its deep, its dark, and, it leads into...

-Track 2, Where Dreams Go To Die...This was my favorite song of the three they released. Its deep, its brutal, and it is Queensryche. But, it is really heavier than anything they put out to date. It starts slow, but punches you in the stomach. This..and all of the songs have the classic trademark vocal harmonies, and the twin guitar attack, which was missing from QR for a long time. But, like I said, this song is brutal. It was written by guitarist, Parker Lundgren, who is airing out some personal issues. He does it VERY well, and I hope he never writes a song about me. However, the fact that his song was chosen to be the first song on the album speaks volumes of the band's respect for him. 

-Track 3, Spore...Starts off with a very gritty and dirty sounding guitar riff, and goes into an anthem of sorts. Great vocal harmonies throughout the song are complimented by a guitar lead following along through most of it. Its bold and in your face chorus is a welcome return to form for the band. Eddie Jackson is beating his bass with a telephone pole in this song...Something else that was a QR trademark that was lost over the years. Also, my favorite song on the album.

-Track 4, In This Light...Its a completely different song, but the opening lick in this song kind of reminds me of Speak. Its an up tempo ballad, with a rhythm section that probably registers on the Richter Scale. A sentimental yet powerful chorus filled with vocal harmony. But surprisingly, the thing that stands out the most (and no one has ever said this before) is the rhythm guitar behind the solo. I'm sure this was intentional.

-Track 5, Redemption...This was the first song the band released. The song that told the QR fans that their favorite band was back. The rhythm section is also prominent in this song, along with driving guitar riffs, a chorus that hits on all cylinders, and is also a return to the semi political lyrical content that QR was so into back in the day.

-Track 6, Vindication...I think someone told Scott Rockenfield that he couldn't play fast anymore, and he proved them wrong. The drums take you back to The Needle Lies, but on top of the speed, he channeled his inner Neil Peart and boosted the speed. He is all over the place on this song. The verses are dark and moody, but the chorus is happy sounding. Have you ever been wronged, and vindicated? The feel of this song illustrates this. You're pissed off, but when things go your way, you're on top of the world. Very fitting.

-Track 7, Midnight Lullabye... Creepy into to the next song. 'Damien the Omen' creepy. I have a song that I co-wrote with a former drummer called Twisted Lullabye. I wonder how much the band would charge me in royalty fees to record that as the intro to our song. It fits!

-Track 8, A World Without... A dark, and heavy song that is as creepy as it is awesome. Would make a good soundtrack song for a post apocalyptic horror movie...But no zombies because they have been done to death! And, did I hear Pamela Moore?

-Track 9, Don't Look Back... An orgy of eargasams from every band member. Plus, Todd LaTorre reminds us all that he was the singer of Crimson Glory when he hits a note higher than anything I can remember from even the classic QR songs. The man nailed Red Sharks by CG for heaven's sake!

-Track 10, Fallout...Short and sweet, but fast and heavy enough to knock you through a wall. Its getting a little redundant to say that this song has great vocal and guitar harmony. All the songs do, and its awesome!

-Track 11, Open Road...A ballad that fits in with the classic ballads such as Anybody Listening, I Will Remember, I Dream in Infrared, and Someone Else. It also features some great vocal work by Todd LaTorre.

So, the band still had it in them after all these years. The fans wondering who this band was and when the band they loved would return can stop wondering. They are back. The album was produced perfectly, and patiently, and it paid off. Big time. The passion is back. The musicianship is back. Queensryche is back!

And, the passion of the fans is back. I'm almost 40, and I feel like a teenager again, waiting in anticipation for my favorite band's new album to come out. It may be because today's music simply can't hold a candle to what it once was. 

One thing that I want to say about Todd LaTorre...While he has a phenomenal vocal range, he does not force it on you like another replacement singer from several years ago. I think you know who I'm talking about. While I respect Ripper Owens, and he has become one of my favorite singers, he would force his range on you when it wasn't necessary. And, while Todd's voice is a perfect fit for the classic songs, he is not a clone, and he sounds like himself on the new album. 

This album is not a nostalgic trip down memory lane. It shows the natural progression that the band should have taken back in the day, but it also sounds modern. I imagine the band will gain scores of young metal fans with this album. It might even be a good idea for Queensryche to take an up and coming current metal band on tour with them to expose young fans to them.

We, as fans are lucky, because bands don't just regroup like this. As fans, we all wish they did, but it simply doesn't happen. Even Death Magnetic by Metallica is not the return to form that this album is. And, it was a total team effort with contributions from every band member. Something else that was lost post Promised Land, which contributed to the watering down of their sound.

People may still want to blast the band for not having Chris DeGarmo. Well, Hear and the Now Frontier and Tribe were both mainly he and Tate. And, both albums were seriously under par.