Queensryche / Hurricane Party
London Astoria
June 10th 2004
Review - Steve Cummings
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Having travelled down to London to see the Brides Of Destruction the previous night, it was an opportunity too good to miss to see Queensryche at the Astoria. I must admit to feeling a little trepidation wondering is the true class and musicianship of Queensryche would get lost after the euphoria and the rock and roll extravagance of the Brides show, however as it turned out this show was equally as good, but for different reasons. Support act Hurricane Party got the show on the road and, despite not knowing any of their songs, I was impressed b y the way they presented themselves. The band came across rather like a young Def Leppard. There was certainly an eagerness to please and the songs themselves were a mix of catchy choruses and short sharp solos. Definitely a band to look out for... From the moment Queensryche hit the stage it was obvious this was going to be special. The band have recorded one truly outstanding album in Operation Mindcrime and as the opening sequence to 'I Remember Now' played out over the PA the thought crossed my mind that maybe just maybe we would get the full Mindcrime show. We did.. Anarchy X followed by Revolution Calling, then Operation Mindcrime itself followed one after another. Geoff Tate roamed the stage looking like a reject from a Terminator casting call in full black leather and mirrored shades and then to top it all the original Suite Sister Mary, Pamela Moore joined the party for the song of the same name. This was true rock theatre as the protagonists sparred with each other, trading vocal lines back and forth and using every inch of the Astoria's stage. It wasn't till 'The Needle Lies' that the band took a break and Tate said "Hello", and extolled the audience to sing along to the chorus. The band continued to play through the album, song by song until the breathtaking trio of 'Breaking The Silence', 'I Don't Believe in Love' and 'Eyes Of A Stranger' rounded out the main body of the show. It had been some 13 years since the band had played the full Mindcrime set on the Empire tour and it was well worth the long wait to see the band in all their true glory again. After a short break the band returned to play encores consisting of non -Mindcrime material. 'Best I Can' and 'Empire' from the album of the same name were first up and the night finally drew to a close with NM156 and then Screaming In Digital from the 1986 album 'Rage For Order'. Ok so there was no Solent Lucidity or Queen Of The Reich, but this was Queensryche back to their regal best and proving that class it timeless.... For a two day road trip to London this was an exceptional experience and one I will not forget for a long long time. Queensryche Set List Anarchy X |
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