Album Review: Queensrÿche – The Verdict (Century Media Records)

Queensrÿche have secured a triumphant legacy as one of hard rock’s most respected and celebrated acts in the industry, selling over 30 million albums around the world across in the span of their 30-plus year career.

Queensrÿche’s stone cold classic debut full-length, The Warning, and the badass monster sophomore release, Rage for Order, reignited the flames of heavy, progressive, melodic hard rock and metal. With the release of the band’s third album, Operation: Mindcrime, catapulted the band into mainstream success, single-handedly redefining the concept album and charged into the Top 40. A precision collection of near-perfect songs pushed landmark masterpiece Empire to triple platinum. “Silent Lucidity”, off of the fourth LP, earned the band their second and third Grammy nominations, plus five nominations at the MTV Video Music Awards, where Queensrÿche picked up the Viewer’s Choice Award.

Following the massive success of Empire, the band released, Promised Land, which entered the charts at #3 and became another platinum selling record. Adding to their successes, Queensrÿche have dominated Rock Radio with hits like “Jet City Woman”, “Another Rainy Night (Without You)”, “Real World”, “I AM I”, “Bridge”, and “Sign of the Times”. Now, with the band’s 16th full-length album on the way, Queensrÿche is looking to continue to dominate the heavy metal scene.

The Verdict is out on March 1st 2019 via Century Media Records.

Legends of the rock and metal scene, Queensrÿche are in a good position nowadays having cemented their legacy. However still in a strong position to create excitement and anticipation when it comes to a new release. Expectation is high but if there is pressure on the band, you wouldn’t know it. The Verdict is the sound of a band relaxed and comfortable.

The question is if The Verdict can sit alongside the best of what Queensrÿche have produced in the past.

That question is answered almost immediately with the thumping rhythm of Blood of the Levant and Man the Machine. A catchy start with all the fire and energy one could hope for. The latter of the two in particular really delivers on the classic heavy metal promise.

Light-Years then shows off some of the unusual flair that has made Queensrÿche a household name with echoey vocals and proggy sounding guitars. That and the following psychedelic rockiness Inside Out are the tracks to hear on The Verdict.

Even when they keep it simple with a straight-forward metal track (Propaganda Fashion) or a softer rock approach (Dark Reverie), it’s still imaginative and interesting. By the half way point it’s pretty clear that Queensrÿche are still producing high-quality music.

The latter half certainly doesn’t disappoint either as we get a wicked guitar solo to accompany the slow march of Bent and the brooding heaviness of Inner Rest.

Launder the Conscience is a real treat though thanks to a larger and more epic sound. It feels bigger then anything heard on the rest of the album and the added touch of keyboards really helps it stand out. It could have easily been the album closer but that task is left to the darker oddity that is Portrait. A haunting bass-heavy finale, it sees things out in dour style and hardly a fitting finish, unfortunately.

That aside, overall Queensrÿche’s The Verdict is an on-form release from the legendary metal band and a worth addition to their back catalogue.

Queensrÿche – The Verdict Full 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

The Verdict will be available via all major streaming services upon release.