Great Metal Albums of 1984: Queensryche- The Warning
One problem with going back in history is that it isn’t always easy to put yourself back in that time. In many instances, I’ve listened to albums with a different attitude than I did when I first listened to them when said album first came out. That is the unfortunate case with Queensryche. When I first heard their debut album, “The Warning,” I thought that it was pretty good. However, I wasn’t chalking up the days for when their second album would come out. Then there’s another dilemma. Sometimes having historical knowledge isn’t always good and in Queensryche’s case, it isn’t. See, what I know now that I didn’t know in 1984 was that this band would go onto to achieve some great things. Without breaking sweat, I can think of three Queensryche albums that are far superior to “The Warning” and that isn’t fair to this album because it’s still pretty cool.
My first experience of Queensryche came when my friend introduced me to them after he had seen them supporting KISS. I couldn’t go to that concert because I had to work and that is why my account in “Rock and Roll Children” of their performance that night is what one critic called ‘bare bones.’ I not only had to take myself 25 years back in time but I had to glean knowledge from another person’s memory. Still, I’m sure they kicked ass that evening.
I’ve decided not to review “The Warning” as if I was in 1984 because subsequent recent re-listens have led me to conclude that the debut album was simply a marker for the better things Queensryche would aspire too. The band might have not liked how the album was mixed but I can hear all the trademark elements that make a good Queensryche album. There are the anthems like tracks of “En Force” and “No Sanctuary.” Both of these songs represent what I’ve always liked about this band, as do the opening riffs of “Deliverance.” “Take Hold of the Flame” incorporates a little bit of everything. It has an acoustic intro before Geoff Tate’s vocals take things up a couple of notches. Additionally, the guitar solo of one Chris De Garmo has me agreeing with my sister’s assertion that the band hasn’t been the same since he left.
For me, the second half of the album is the better half. All four tracks are what I can call classic Queensryche metal. There is some interesting harmonizing on “Behold the Storm” and though “Child of Fire” and “Road to Madness” are cool tracks, my vote for favourite track is “Warning.” It definitely has the catchiest licks of all the songs. It sounds like a true metal anthem and Tate puts his vocal stamp on it perfectly. In reference to the guitars, while I still stand by my remark about Chris, Michael Wilton shows he’s just as good on the axe. Great song!
Track Listing:
- N M 156
- En Force
- No Sanctuary
- Deliverance
- Take Hold the Flame
- Behold the Storm
- Child of Fire
- Warning
- Road to Madness
Geoff Tate- lead vocals
Chris De Garmo- guitar, backing vocals
Michael Wilton- guitar, backing vocals
Eddie Jackson- bass, backing vocals
Scott Rockenfield- drums
Who says a little knowledge is a dangerous thing? If I knew back in 1984 what I know now about Queensryche, I would have called this album, “a promising start.” Because that is exactly what “The Warning” was.
Next post: KISS- Animalyze
To get Rock and Roll Children, go to: https://crreadac.cf/current/ebooks-free-download-rock-and-roll-children-fb2-by-michael-d-lefevre.html
This entry was posted on April 6, 2018 at 3:25 pm and is filed under 1980s, Heavy Metal, Heavy Metal and the 1980s, Music, Rock, Uncategorized with tags Americans, Classic Rock, hard rock, Heavy Metal, Heavy Rock, KISS, Queensryche, Rock And Roll Children, The 1980s, The Warning. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
14 Responses to “Great Metal Albums of 1984: Queensryche- The Warning”
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April 6, 2018 at 3:39 pm
My number 156 is shown.
I actually prefer side one. But who cares? It’s a very important album to fans!
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April 6, 2018 at 6:22 pm
Either side is good but you’re right. This is a very important album.
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April 6, 2018 at 8:51 pm
It’s a stepping stone to Rage for Order. Like you, these are two of my favourites.
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April 7, 2018 at 2:58 am
It is and “Rage for Order” was a stepping stone to the great “Operation Mindcrime.”
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April 9, 2018 at 9:33 pm
…Which led directly into Empire. The band just evolved in such an organic way for the first 6 albums or so.
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April 10, 2018 at 10:06 am
That it did and it is interesting how they did evolve through those six albums.
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April 6, 2018 at 5:26 pm
I enjoy this one more and more as time goes on. This and Rage For Order are the ones I go back to most now.
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April 6, 2018 at 6:22 pm
Those were the stepping stones to greater things for this band. I’ve enjoyed listening to it these past few days.
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April 7, 2018 at 8:22 am
A band I know very little about (other than some crazy two versions of the band releasing two albums after a split… that’s them, eh??). I guess I’ll go check this one out (and Rage For Order).
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April 8, 2018 at 6:06 pm
That’s them all right. Both good albums and a natural progression for the great Operation Mindcrime.
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April 7, 2018 at 2:25 pm
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April 8, 2018 at 6:06 pm
Again, thank you for the re-blog.
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April 7, 2018 at 9:14 pm
Great blast from the past to hear Warning again. I saw them live supporting Dio and played this album a lot. Just went back and listened to Before the Storm, No Sanctuary and Roads to Madness. What songs. Tbh this album is probably one of the most perfect debuts ever.
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April 8, 2018 at 6:07 pm
I wouldn’t debate you on it being a great debut album. That must have been fantastic seeing them with Dio.
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