Tenacity, one of the hallmarks of a truly fantastic band. After their recent court mishaps turning things into an ugly affair with previous singer Geoff Tate the future for Queensryche was for a while, uncertain. enlisting singer Todd La Torre for the band’s previous album the new line up was picked out. With this now being La Torre’s second outing has the line up remained consistent? Delve with us into the Condition Hüman.
[tracklist]
1. Arrow Of Time
2. Guardian
3. Hellfire
4. Toxic Remedy
5. Selfish Lives
6. Eye9
7. Bulletproof
8. Hourglass
9. Just Us
10. All There Was
11. The Aftermath
12. Condition Hüman
[/tracklist]
[details]
[length]53:00[/length]
[record_label]Century Media Records[/record_label]
[release_date]October 2nd 2015[/release_date]
[/details]
After a fairly turbulent time involving various different disputes regarding legal matters within the band it seems that Queensryche have finally eschewed their dogged past. Releasing their brand new album Condition Hüman we see the band get back to what they do best. With Todd La Torre now on his second recorded outing with the band his presence is very much more in key with the rest of the group.
Opener “Arrow Of Time” fires straight into the vein of classic Mindcrime era Queensryche. Containing a massive chorus the song is a perfect snapshot of the album as a whole. With the change in identity comes a change in personality, tracks like “Hellfire” are on the surface classic Queensryche yet mid way through a fantastic solo is introduced reminiscent of the Death classic The Sound Of Perseverance. This is no gripe bare in mind, merely a different colouring of the band and it makes for an incredibly intriguing listen. Ensuring that world is aware of its current state of address “Selfish Lives” is the band’s note to totalitarian authority and its effect on the modern day. Making way for a ballad of “Bulletproof” which ticks all of the eighties boxes with La Torre‘s vocals soaring magnificently. Not to mention some fantastic guitar work on “All There Was”
The more progressive horizons of “Just Us” see the band bring the sound of normality with a slight off kilter melody that Michael Wilton employs so effortlessly, though the bass rumble of “Eye9” is also an impressive track highlighting the band’s strengths with excellent use of delay on the vocals. The fluctuating vocal patterns present on “Guardian” nods to the classic Mindcrime even in the lyrics of “revolution calling” sung triumphantly. Whilst honouring the previous work it is important to know that the band not aiming recreate the same album and the setting of Condition Hüman works with the state of the present day.
With Condition Hüman, Queensryche have made an interesting album though it does take some getting used to. Some of the musical ideas can be slightly confusing at first but if persevered with can make for an excellent listen, nevertheless that is not to say that the band have not been experimental and it is commendable with their new effort. Seeing the band come together now with a solidified line up Condition Hüman is where the band should be and shows a concrete line up that shows the band have finally settled down and the new age of Queensryche saga is just beginning.
[verdict]Yes[/verdict]
[why]Aware of their past Queensryche care more about the present. Bringing the new line up together Comdition Hüman might not be an album of the year but is certainly a fantastic addition to their catalogue. [/why]
If you like what you read / heard then you can pick up a copy of the album here!
