Tracks
People who bought this release also bought
Queensrÿche was a huge influence on the power and progressive metal subgenres. Before their foray into more esoteric (and oftentimes less heavy) musical territory, they appeared to be one of metal's brightest hopes for the future. Their self-titled debut EP is proof of this claim. While very different (and far more derivative-sounding) from almost everything that would follow in their career, it is far and away their most consistent and most "metal" release.
The four-song EP kicks off with "Queen of the Reich". This is easily one of the greatest metal songs of all time. From the deceptively simple riffs to Geoff Tate's operatic shrieking, this song is an essential face-melter. "Nightrider" is one of Queensrÿche's fastest songs. It contains impressive, Maiden-esque harmonies courtesy of the underrated guitar team of Chris DeGarmo and Michael Wilton in addition to Tate's most terrifying scream on record. "Blinded" is the shortest song here, but the manic ending is extremely powerful, showing off Tate's full range. "The Lady Wore Black" closes the EP on a somber note. Dark, emotional, and epic, it set the standard for a long streak of great power ballads for Queensrÿche.
The remastered version of the album appendages the original four songs with the audio from the live VHS 'Live in Tokyo', which includes live versions of all four of the aforementioned songs as well as songs from their first full-length album, 'The Warning'. While the sound quality is not perfect, the performance is excellent and effectively portrays the band in their prime.
Though an atypical work, 'Queensrÿche' is still considered by many as the band's greatest. Though the lyrics may not have the intelligence and depth of later albums, the youthful energy and raw heaviness give a glimpse of what Queensrÿche may have become had they continued in this vein. Hard to believe that this was originally the first demo tape recorded by a cover band with a name as generic as the Mob. Necessary listening for metalheads.
The four-song EP kicks off with "Queen of the Reich". This is easily one of the greatest metal songs of all time. From the deceptively simple riffs to Geoff Tate's operatic shrieking, this song is an essential face-melter. "Nightrider" is one of Queensrÿche's fastest songs. It contains impressive, Maiden-esque harmonies courtesy of the underrated guitar team of Chris DeGarmo and Michael Wilton in addition to Tate's most terrifying scream on record. "Blinded" is the shortest song here, but the manic ending is extremely powerful, showing off Tate's full range. "The Lady Wore Black" closes the EP on a somber note. Dark, emotional, and epic, it set the standard for a long streak of great power ballads for Queensrÿche.
The remastered version of the album appendages the original four songs with the audio from the live VHS 'Live in Tokyo', which includes live versions of all four of the aforementioned songs as well as songs from their first full-length album, 'The Warning'. While the sound quality is not perfect, the performance is excellent and effectively portrays the band in their prime.
Though an atypical work, 'Queensrÿche' is still considered by many as the band's greatest. Though the lyrics may not have the intelligence and depth of later albums, the youthful energy and raw heaviness give a glimpse of what Queensrÿche may have become had they continued in this vein. Hard to believe that this was originally the first demo tape recorded by a cover band with a name as generic as the Mob. Necessary listening for metalheads.