Queensryche - Empire
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CD Details
Artist: QueensrycheEdition: Music CD
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: Extra tracks, Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
CD Release Date: 2003-06-10
Music Label: Capitol
Soundtracks:
- Best I Can
- The Thin Line
- Jet City Woman
- Della Brown
- Another Rainy Night (Without You)
- Empire
- Resistance
- Silent Lucidity
- Hand On Heart
- One And Only
- Anybody Listening?
- Last Time In Paris
- Scarborough Fair
- Dirty Lil Secret
Music reviews of Empire
Music Review: Empire Strike Back
Rating: 5 Stars
Empire(1990). Queensryche's Fifth Studio Release.
Late in 1990, Queensryche would release 'Empire', the album that introduced Progressive Metal genuises Queensryche to the world. Although 'Operation: Mindcrime' is generally considered their best, 'Empire' is the happy medium between Progressive Metal and Hard Rock, accessible to fans of Dream Theater and Tool but also to fans of Rush and Pink Floyd. Soon after 'Empire's release, in 1991, Nirvana and Pearl Jam took the world by storm, but that didn't stop Queensryche; the single "Silent Lucidity" reached the Top Ten, while "Jet City Woman" and "Best I Can" became huge Rock Radio hits, and 'Empire' peaked at #7 on the Billboard Charts. Try to imagine this: In 1991, 'Empire' won the People's Choice Award for the Album of the Year, around Nirvana's 'Nevermind', Pearl Jam's 'Ten, Alice In Chains 'Dirt', and Stone Temple Pilots 'Core'. For one of the few times, talent overcame popularity! So, is 'Empire' as good as fans would lead you to believe, or a weak effort? Read on to find out!
Track Ratings-
Best I Can- Empire's opener, "Best I Can" reminds me of The Who's "Baba O' Reilly", sporting a smooth keyboard opener, but Geoff Tate soon comes out and sings an uplifting anthem. Degarmo's epic chords and the dark backup organ, not to mention the mysterious keyboard melody, make "Best I Can" a catchy, uplifting rocker you can't help but like.
The Thin Line- Like Operation: Mindcrime's "Suite Sister Mary", "The Thin Line" is a melodic prog rocker, changing from slow, rhythm guitar-driven melodies to upbeat, epic interludes. Degarmo and Wilton's electric and rhythm guitar work is beautiful, and Tate's passionate vocals give "The Thin Line" a passionate feel.
Jet City Woman- Empire's most recognizable track, "Jet City Woman" is a powerful tune about love and relationships, and still gets a fair amount of airplay today. Tate goes from low and saddened to upbeat and hopeful, and Degarmo's Rush-esque chords fit perfectly with the song. Imagine a Hair Metal song, without the cheese and quite a bit more serious!
Della Brown- A rather offbeat track, "Della Brown" is a bass-laden song not unlike Pink Floyd, with slow measures interspersed with notable choruses. Degarmo rips out rhythm guitar licks worthy of James Hetfield, and his ability to play a solo is incredible. Tate's emotional vocals keep the song moving, and "Della Brown" is a slow, but ultimately rewarding track.
Another Rainy Night(Without You)- Much like The Scorpions, "Another Rainy Night" finds Queensryche shedding much of their Progressive Metal roots, taking on power chords and emotional lyrics. Power Metal never sounded better, as Tate's "lost-love" vocals and Degarmo's rhythmic power chords blend to create a mix between "Rock Me Like A Hurricane" and Queensryche's "Jet City Woman".
Empire- A dark track about our dying culture, "Empire" combines dark lyrics, sarcastic vocals, and doomy guitar licks to create an uncompromising look at today's degrading society. Although the "advertisement" thing is annoying, it's hard not to like this track, as it's dark tone sets it apart from the other tracks.
Resistance- One of Queensryche's strongest, "Resistance" could have easily been a hit, a happy medium between The Scorpions and Van Halen. Tate's sing-a-long vocals are very catchy, and Degarmo's guitarmanship reminds me of Rush's modern material. Very addictive and ahead of its time.
Silent Lucidity- Queensryche's best-known track, "Silent Lucidity" is actually much different from their other material. Featuring orchestration from Michael Kamen, Queensryche made an offbeat Pink Floyd-ish track, using Degarmo's brilliant folky rhythm guitar melody and Tate's mysterious vocals to create a ballad unlike any heard before(or after). Epic and beautiful.
Hand On Heart- A melodic rocker, "Hand On Heart" is sure to make you pull your lighter out and dance. Degarmo mesmerizes you with his electric symphony, and Tate sings a perfect medium between Dio and Bruce Dickinson. Another song that could, and should, have been a hit!
One And Only- Another melodic rocker, "One And Only" combines the tone and beat of The Scorpions, the vocals of Iron Maiden, and the musicianship of Rush to create a slow, yet rewarding track.
Anybody Listening?- "Anybody Listening?" is a song about living in the spotlight, and the best since Rush's "Limelight" to deal with the subject. The beat is very dark, with mysterious guitars and suspenseful lyrics, and the song develops into an epic rocker not unlike you'd come to expect from Dream Theater. A great ending to an album!
In 2003, Queensryche's catalog was remastered with lyrics, expanded liner notes, and extra tracks. Empire has three extra tracks, "Last Time In Paris", the folky "Scarborough Fair", and "Dirty Lil Secret". This new remaster only makes me like the album more!
Overall, 'Empire' is a worthy follow-up to 'Operation: Mindcrime', displaying epic, beautiful, and emotional music, while keeping those familar progressive influences that Queensryche fans have come to know and love. Chris Degarmo and Michael Wilton are excellent guitarists, and their Rush and Pink Floyd influences transcend into remarkable guitar melodies. Geoff Tate develops his own vocal range here, and moves further away from the Dickinson-esque vocals he commonly used on the last few albums. Although it's more commercial and more accessible, I don't like it as much as Operation: Mindcrime, because the darker tracks seem a little better than Empire's upbeat, love and relationship tracks. Not to say Empire is bad, it's phenomenally good.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO FANS OF POWER METAL, PROGRESSIVE METAL, RUSH, AND QUEENSRYCHE! MORE COMMERCIAL, BUT WHO CARES? I DON'T HEAR ANYBODY YELLING "SELLOUT".
Killer Kuts- "Best I Can", "Jet City Woman", "Resistance", "Silent Lucidity", "Anybody Listening?", "Last Time In Paris", and "Scarborough Fair".
Also Recommended-
Operation: Mindcrime- Queensryche
Crazy World- The Scorpions
Vapor Trails- Rush
Thanks For Reading!
Description of Empire
All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.Exploring the uncharted territory between heavy metal and progressive rock, Queensryche has always been difficult to categorize. While Operation: Mindcrime is their most highly-praised album, Empire remains their most accessible, with a somewhat more commercial approach that has no negative impact on the quality of the material. Empire produced a string of hit singles, including "Best I Can," the title track, "Jet City Woman," and "Silent Lucidity" (probably their best-known song, and ironically unlike most of their other work). At times sounding a great deal like Pink Floyd, Empire is an impressive collection that is all substance, no filler. "Anybody Listening?", which closes the album, is probably the best perspective on a life lived on stage since Rush's "Limelight". Highly recommended. --Genevieve Williams
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