Queensrÿche Rocked St Louis With Deep Cuts and Sonic Thunder Sunday

–by Sean Derrick

 

Sunday’s concert by progressive metal veterans Queensrÿche at Delmar Hall in Saint Louis was a recipe of old and new, and the result was solid.

In town to promote their latest album Digital Noise Alliance, Queensrÿche is leaning heavy on tracks from their latest effort. As well they should, this album, the 4th with vocalist Todd La Torre and 16th overall, is a tight mix of tracks that has more of a feel of early Queensrÿche than any album in a very long time. In fact, all four albums of the La Torre era have gone in that direction but Digital Noise Alliance is just stronger and more balanced. It is a shame it isn’t getting more attention.

Queensrÿche certainly demanded attention when they opened with the epic “Behind the Walls”, a dual axe attack killer track from Digital Noise Alliance (A song that would have fit extremely well on the band’s 1986 album Rage For Order) before going back 10 years to “Don’t Look Back” from their 2013 self-titled La Torre led debut.

La Torre and the rest of the band (founding members of bassist Eddie Jackson and guitarist Michael Wilton, with guitarist Mike Stone, and drummer Casey Grillo) tore through the expected classics like “Spreading the Disease”, “Jet City Woman”, “Empire” and “Eyes of a Stranger” with such precision and energy that brought new life to those classics while retaining the original style. The crowd thoroughly enjoyed it, as well, singing along with every word.

The real treat came in the deep cuts Queensrÿche has brought out for this tour. Some songs haven’t been played in decades. “Deliverance”, for example, was last performed in 1986 (1984 for St. Louis). “Child of Fire” was last performed on their 2013 tour, and way back in 1985 before then, and never before in St. Louis. “My Empty Room” hadn’t been played here since a Pageant performance in 2011.

Another song, “En Force”, has been a regular part of the setlist for the past 10 years but somehow has eluded St. Louis since 1984.

While band focused heavily on DNA and 1984’s The Warning they tried to touch on several other albums, including Operation: Mindcrime and Empire, of course, they unfortunately didn’t touch anything from Rage For Order. And even though they didn’t play some of their more mainstream songs like “Silent Lucidity” they did replace that slot with “Forest” a slower song from DNA that touches on the death of a parent or loved one. It is beautiful, emotional, and reflective and if you haven’t heard it or watched the video you definitely should. (Beware, if you have lost someone close this will tug at your heart strings. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.)

For anyone complaining that the band didn’t play songs like “NM156”, “Screaming in Digital” (both of which are two of my favorites), “Take Hold of the Flame”, or “Queen of the Reich” they have been playing those songs many times in the past few years and most recently in St. Charles in November opening for Judas Priest (except “Screaming in Digital” which was played in 2020 the last time the band headlined at Delmar Hall.). With 2 shows in 6 months it makes sense to toss out some regular tracks in favor of deep cuts, and I for one thank them for that. Other long time Rychers do, too.

Long time thrash metal band Trauma opened the evening with a thunderous set. If you aren’t familiar with them just imagine a more refined Sam Kinison on vocals. That is not a knock on vocalist Brian Allen, in fact it was something that made him stand out. I was also digging his Vincent Price shirt that he had on. I wonder if it was a nod to St. Louis or just a coincidence that he was wearing a shirt of one of St. Louis’ favorite sons while in St. Louis. Two devil horns up for you, sir.

Guitar virtuoso Marty Friedman held the support slot with a fantastic set. Friedman with his band (bassist Wakazaemon, guitarist Naoki Morioka, and drummer Chargeeeee) ripped through 45 minutes of absolutely solid instrumentals. Friedman, best known for his time in Megadeth, has an impressive catalogue of solo material that everyone should check out, like “Devil Take Tomorrow” from his 2006 album Loudspeaker, and “Dragon Mistriss” from1988’s Dragon’s Kiss.

Apart from Friedman’s stellar axework the drummer, Chargeeeee, is a trip. This dude, replete with his wild platinum blonde hair, black lipstick, and perpetual smile, played like he was on a 10-pack/5-Hour Energy binge.  He most definitely had The Muppet’s Animal vibe going.

Check out the gallery of photos after the setlist below.

Queensrÿche Setlist:

Behind the Walls

Don’t Look Back

Child of Fire

En Force

Spreading the Disease

In Extremis

Light-Years

Sicdeth

Forest

Jet City Woman

Inner Unrest

Empire

My Empty Room

Eyes of a Stranger

Encore:

Deliverance

Roads to Madness