December 2024

I went to the Queensrÿche concert not knowing what to expect, given that Geoff Tate is no longer the frontman. honestly, who could replace the phenomenal Geoff Tate? But to my surprise, Todd La Torre absolutely blew me away from the very first note. I knew he could hit the high notes, but I wasn’t prepared for the sheer vocal powerhouse he brought to the stage. his control, precision, and energy were next-level. Michael Wilton’s guitar playing transported me back to when I first saw Queensrÿche at Jones Beach in 1995—just as sharp and mesmerizing as ever. eddie Jackson remains an exceptional talent, and his backing vocals are stellar. The two newer members, Mike stone and casey Grillo, were fantastic additions. The entire band was so tight, and I could feel their camaraderie radiating throughout the performance. While I deeply love and miss the original lineup, everything evolves. Geoff Tate’s current band is phenomenal—I had the pleasure of seeing them in Denver, cO, and they delivered an outstanding performance. It was incredible to journey down memory lane with an amazing setlist that spanned most of the albums. At the same time, the new Queensrÿche lineup left me awestruck. Hearing their first two albums performed live in their entirety was a real treat. As a fan of both eras of Queensrÿche, and now with both bands touring, I feel incredibly fortunate. It’s like having two Christmases with divorced parents. We, the fans get to enjoy the excitement of two incredible concerts!— Geoff Tate’s and QueensrÿCHe’s —and celebrate all that this incredible band has given us. how fortunate are we to be part of this journey that is all Queensrÿche? - rich Taylor 26