Album review: QUEENSRYCHE – Condition Human

Century Media [Release date 02.10.15]

Queensryche release their second studio album featuring former Crimson Glory vocalist Todd La Torre just a couple of weeks after former vocalist Geoff Tate’s Operation: Mindchrime released their latest album. Coincidence or deliberate timing? Either way this new Queensryche album continues their renaissance after a rather difficult period for the band.

‘Arrow Of Time’ was the lead song of this album, perhaps the weakest on here for me. It has that classic Queensryche prog metal feel, yet ‘Guardian’ is the album’s most instant song. A real tour de force from the band and Todd La Torre recalls those 80′s Queensryche classic albums. Heck they even name check revolution calling in the chorus. Great to hear Scott Rockenfield’s drumming all over this one!

Fans will enjoy ‘Hellfire’ and ‘Toxic Remedy’, songs that show the band back at their best. The title track takes an epic route with a gentle start, time changes aplenty and interesting guitar parts from Michael Wilton and Parker Lundgren.

For a little change the ballad ‘Just Us’ allows Todd La Torre to show he is not all about high note singing. Again the the guitars mix acoustic and mellow electric solos, creating a wonderful backdrop for the vocals.

A real return to form by the band and they are back at their best. Admittedly not an ‘Empire’ or ‘Operation: Mindcrime’, however I guarantee this will still be played and enjoyed by fans for many years to come, unlike – sadly – much of their output in the past decade or so (this version of the band’s self-titled 2013 release excepted). ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)