I’m a Queensrÿche fan, but I’m no purist. Todd la Torre is a terrific vocalist, and a worthy choice to carry the torch of the fired Geoff Tate. Since that acrimonious split in 2013, the band has morphed into something new entirely. I like to call them “The Second Rÿche.” Gone are the days of Operation: Mindcrime, Empire, and the big, brown dirge of Promised Land. Now a quartet with only two original members, Queensrÿche sounds a lot like any other straightforward metal band that you’d hear in your uncle’s truck. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
2019’s The Verdict was actually pretty incredible. Fun metal with deep messages and some surprisingly ambitious songwriting techniques set it apart from The Second Rÿche’s other releases. Can 2022’s Digital Noise Alliance follow up? It can certainly make me chuckle with a corny-as-hell title. We’re off to a great start already.
They sound like the kind of band that you’d hear playing live at a biker bar, on Tuesday. Not even Eddie Jackson’s bass could hold my attention for more than a verse at a time. Only two songs really stood out: the six-and-a-half minute Behind These Walls, and the closer Rebel Yell. Yes, they really went out with a Billy Idol cover.
I’d like to get my hands on a physical copy, but not enough to pay for one. Just out of curiosity. The Verdict was a great album wrapped in the world’s laziest CD packaging. I’ll bet Digital Noise Alliance looks awful similar. I suppose I shouldn’t be expecting much from a few elderly stars who have already gone through the Las Vegas residency phase.
Spud media 