Album Review: QUEENSRYCHE – The Verdict

Queensryche has been through some shit. I don’t think anyone would argue that the last five or six years have been tumultuous for the Washington state based badasses of metal but – 2019 has found them returning to form with the release of a new album, titled The Verdict and a tour that will take them literally, around the world. But, we are here now to talk about th new album so, let’s get to it.

Released on March 1st, The Verdict is the band’s first collection of new, original music since 2015’s Condition Human. For me, Queensryche has always had a unique ability to tell stories, not just with their lyric’s but, with the way the songs flowed and the way they were constructed musically. Obviously – their concept albums set out to do this but I found the same foundation and structure in many of their stand-alone offerings and – I feel it again in the selections on The Verdict.

10 tracks grace this collection – each one a damn near perfect collaboration of meaning and musical precision. Queensryche has always – and continues – to be one of the most impressive collections of talent on the metal scene. Vocalist Todd La Torre is a major talent – yes, he sounds a lot like original frontman Geoff Tate but this only services the band when it comes to playing their classic catalog. La Torre is also a talented writer, having a hand in the lions share of the selection on this album – he also has a set of pipes on him that are nothing short of impressive. He is THE vocalist for Queensryche and any of you who have a problem with that fact – get the hell out of dodge.

Blood Of The Levant kicks the album off and smacks you right in the teeth with the opening chords. Featuring the band’s trademark driving guitars and melodic backing vocals – you know right from the start that the band is not messing around this time.

While a good portion of The Verdict adheres to that formula – the band does try to mix things up a bit along the way. Dark Reverie is a fantastic change of pace giving vocalist La Torre a nice showcase of his range and ability to go from a ballad to heavy at the drop of a hat. They venture down a similar road with the closing track titled Portrait – and this serves to bring things full circle – offering a balance to an album that sets out to prove that Queensryche still has the ability offer up exceptional, masterfully performed metal that is as hard as it is melodic – and does just that.

It doesn’t seem right to say that with The Verdict – Queensryche is back as they have never gone anywhere. I think it’s more accurate to say that with The Verdict, Queensryche has once again found their voice and can now continue to allow metal fans around the globe to experience their brand of mastery of the craft and continue building their legacy as one of the premier metal acts of our time.

Track Listing:

1. Blood of the Levant
2. Man the Machine
3. Light-Years
4. Inside Out
5. Propaganda Fashion
6. Dark Reverie
7. Bent
8. Inner Unrest
9. Launder the Conscience
10. Portrait

A solid collection that shows that just because things change and personnel may come and go – a band can still stay true to itself and continue on an even better path then what they were already traveling. I rate The Verdict a solid 9 out of 10 flaming guitars – it’s a must-have addition to any metal fans playlist.

Go get it where ever you buy your tunes – it’s everywhere!