How QUEENSRYCHE Made it Big (Documentary)

A short documentary about the band Queensryche, whose original lineup made rock history - but wasn't ready to deal with the fame.
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Hello! My name is Raz and I am a heavy metal enthusiast & guitarist from Israel. On this channel I normally post music videos, and discuss the topics of music & being an artist.
Credits
Written & Narrated by Raz Ben Ari
Edited & Produced by Simon Kopp
Based on a story by Brian Heaton (of AnybodyListening.net)
Special thanks to our patrons!
If you'd like to email me about business inquiries or other important topics, check out the about section of my channel.
0:00 Intro
0:38 Part 1: The Underground
4:35 Patreon plug
4:45 Part 2: Revolution
8:54 Part 3: Building Empires
13:23 Part 4: Burning Bridges
18:12 Outro

[@davidlane9138]

Operation mindcrime is one of the best albums ever recorded. Thank you queensryche for a true classic masterpiece.👍🎸

[@mermaid_at_heart213]

Seeing it live, played in its entirety, was never matched for me. It was the greatest show I've ever been to. They were just as good live as on the recorded album. Scenes with Geoff playing Nicki were even acted out as he sang. It was otherworldly, man; one of my most cherished memories.

[@infinitemonkey917]

I like Promised Land.

[@clemclemson9259]

have to agree

[@martyanthony3419]

Word…

[@brendaphilbrook7872]

I saw these guys twice, within a few months. The Mind Crime show was amazing!

[@IntrovertedOreo]

Chris DeGarmo truly is an underrated guitarist, man. He deserves so much more credit.

[@PlacidDragon]

I dont know if i'd agree with him being underrated. Both DeGarmo and Wilton are excellent guitarists, which really shines through in the music. Where Chris might be somewhat underrated is that it is obvious that Chris was the "engine" of the band, he was clearly the main songwriter (more evident in the later releases), and when he left, that was really it for me. Chris leaving combined with Geoff's voice being seriously on the decline was just a death blow as far as i was concerned.

[@jeffsnyder7763]

Ditto!!

[@adamtereska8734]

That is an understatement

[@kristyderringer946]

He's a fuckin genius..(Chris) Degarmo

[@MichaelMoore-nx5ue]

Promise Land is an amazing album ❤

[@steviec67]

Once Chris left it was sadly over 😞. Was lucky to have seen them in there prime and it was amazing 🤩 . How I miss those great days ☹️

[@chrissym61463]

Agreed! I unfortunately never got to see Chris play live. I saw Queensryche in their first show without him.

[@chrissym61463]

@Metal Fan LOL! If only life really worked that way, we'd all be better off 😂

[@rinaticson390]

Me too

[@atyt11]

I thought that 100%..... until "Digital Noise Alliance". It's taken more than 30 years, but I believe the they may have just pulled it off. I thought Chris was the Key. Digital Noise Alliance proves me wrong..... and I'm glad.

[@karentracey8562]

Music was brilliant then.

[@sarai72]

When I hear anything from Queensryche, takes me back to the best years of my life. I would do anything to go back to that.

[@jeffsnyder7763]

Without question!!!

[@michaeljones9301]

1991 for me

[@MrIncognito236]

Anything??

[@tylermoulton7294]

@@michaeljones9301 same

[@nelsonrodriguez2263]

ohyea remember the first time you heard mindcrime, just like yesterday, only 30 yrs later 👍 rock on everyone 🇺🇸

[@ustulo3488]

Queensryche was ahead of their time from their inception though Empire. They were just smarter, had more original style, and were more musically transcendent than any other metal band from that era. I was blown away with them when I was a kid and they were a huge influence on me during my career in playing in progressive metal bands. When I listen to their greatest tracks even today, there is something magical and mysterious in how every note that was played or sung is perfect in its execution and intention. As time goes by, their glory years from the original line up is just that much more impressive, brilliant, and masterful.

[@CoachRDW]

I consider O:M to be the metal finest concept album, and one of the top 5 best metal albums, ever recorded. I liked Empire a lot (more than the pre-Mindcrime albums), but if Promised Land was disappointing for me (and it was, IMHO, not anywhere as good as anything else they'd released before), Hear in the Now Frontier felt like a slap in the face. The band had a somewhat chameleon-like ability, both in their looks and sound. Unfortunately I think they were also far too easily swayed by "what they should look like and sound like". It became their downfall, but honestly, only bands like Van Halen and AC/DC made it out of the 80s and into the 90s intact. QR were not too big to fail, unfortunately.

[@artmv1149]

They we're almost in a genre of their own, having progressive characteristics, but with strong songwriting abilities. I think they were just a little bit too much of an odd duck to have widespread appeal in the 80s, and survive the 90s, even as brilliant as they were. They were just too good for mainstream appeal.

[@one80srocker96]

They are actually the end of an era. Music was so much more creative and progressive in the late 60s through much of the 70s. There was alot of Metal that kept the masterpiece style of song writing alive in the 80s where Rock songs had already succumb to being condensed for radio. But then came the 90s and it was all about to end. Not like Grunge was ever going to put out anything musically inclined or an IQ. And Metal went more towards Thrash and Speed Metal at the very end of the 80s into the start of the 90s. We just don't get such melodic and creative music like we did back then. With each passing generation of music, the influences get worse. Bands were so much better when they looked up to The Beatles or guitarists like Richie Blackmoor and not Sublime and Greenday. You really gotta dig to find some gems these days. Fortunately there are many who are still influenced by the Metal of the 80s. That Guitar Hero game certainly didn't hurt lol

[@joesmith9216]

They were free masons man, it is MAGICK.

[@chucklandreth478]

Well put

[@nosferatu-369]

Geoff Tate is by far one of my favorite metal vocalist of all-times. Geoff's vocals on Operation Mind Crime just blow my mind every time i listen to it.🔥

[@edgardeese]

The Empire show, in which they played the entire Operation: Mindcrime, was the best concert I ever saw. Perfection.

[@brianmckenzie1288]

You see it in Pittsburgh?

[@FreeMTrider]

Sacramento, CA

[@glennprince9983]

Agreed

[@rlawrence71]

I saw that in Philly in 91'. One of the best shows I've ever seen.

[@slimsantilli4476]

Amazing show. Saw it in Providence RI

[@safelyanonymous5717]

Chris DeGarmo was the brains behind Queensryche

[@bwill578]

It was bad ass enough that them playing out live sounded exactly like the CD. Very underrated band

[@mitchellbast7066]

Geoff Tate, imho, is one of the greatest vocalists, of our time In league with Rob Halford, Ronnie James Dio, Robert Plant. Indeed a great singer

[@RazBenAri]

I agree with all of this.

[@TheChadTI]

Agree and absolutely.

[@kingdiamond8465]

Even thou he is not a tenor Voice, he is one the most versatile and talented baritones ever. His fantastic performance on "take hold of the flame" live in Japan in 1984 is a masterpiece.

[@metalmami7862]

They are more popular, but hands-down his voice is better. None of them could sing Eyes of a stranger.

[@trsidn]

@@kingdiamond8465 mind-boggling

[@geekwithsocialskills]

Being a Queensryche fan since the beginning, I can honestly say that this was a really well done documentary. \m/

[@matthoggard3913]

Me too. I heard the EP in 10th grade and have been hooked ever since!

[@geekwithsocialskills]

@@matthoggard3913 I did a video on my channel about the EP (206 Records) and having the band sign it at the "Rage for Order" record release "meet and greet" complete with photos. Check it out. \m/

[@duderandomofficialsteelpan2504]

I worked for them for many years. I still keep in contact with Geoff and Susan Tate. This was pretty good, but if you only knew ;)

[@geekwithsocialskills]

@@duderandomofficialsteelpan2504 That's cool. I'm friends with Chris and Michael. I talk with them on a regular basis and both are really great guys. P.S. I'm aware of all things Tates ;-)

[@christophercarpenter2496]

October, 1983,They opened for Twisted Sister. I went to their meet and greet, autograph signing at my local Metal Record Shop, prior to the show. Still have entire band's autographs. Fast forward to 2006,meet and greet at H.O.B. and got pictures taken with all members of group and autographs too. Reminded them of 1983 and they were as friendly and amiable as ever! Geoff even asked about my career and complimented my skull club shirt! Will always appreciate their fondness of all their fans and each personal conversation I had with all the guys. They're just regular dudes like me. Just getting old and doing what they've always loved:performing for their fans forever!

[@wimvanderstraeten6521]

I must have listened to Operation Mindcrime like a million times. I think I know the lyrics by heart. It's still my all time favorite album. Rage for Order and Empire are also very good.

[@davidshepard678]

Operation Mindcrime is my favorite all-time as well. 🤘

[@ScottyKirk1]

Nothing will ever compare to it. But if you only made that one album in a lifetime, I'd be happy with that. So great!

[@tonioland7280]

I was introduced to the Ryche with Empire. Loved the band instantly and started listening to their older albums. Operation MC 1 & 2 are by far my favorites and by far the best concept albums of all time. I know every song by heart. I've seen the live concert 3 times. What a show! To me Geoff and Chris were Queensryche! The downfall began when Chris left and then the in fighting and Geoff leaving killed QR off. I have listened to the 'new' QR 1 time and wont listen again. I'm a loyal fan of the originals. Thankfully, we have a whole catalog of the originals. As a matter of fact, I just saw the Geoff Tate concert 3 weeks ago. ( I had read terrible reviews of his performance (haters will hate just for sport) but I thought even if he's not great, he will still be good). Well he was GREAT! He's obviously a little older but still puts on a great active show and his band of young bucks are fantastic and so talented! Had a WONDERFUL time! Side note: The Kurt Deimer band opened, so I have another great band to follow. Sorry so long, I am very passionate about OG Queensryche.

[@paisleyprincess7996]

OMC was a dark album, but classic. Empire is my fav

[@terryadams8620]

Good fucking band

[@uneducatedruralmistake9311]

Geoff Tate with his rock god vocal performances is unsurpassed.

[@TheSateef]

how lucky was QR, looking for a singer and happening on Geoff, probably the best singer in the world

[@305dadecounty_grabberbluem5]

I'm amazed he was so underrated ...

[@supergrovah2729]

Being a drummer, Scott Rockenfield was a huge influence on me. He played pretty damn clean for a rock drummer.

[@metalmami7862]

Very true 🤘🏾

[@MyTony40]

@@supergrovah2729 I don’t like his drum sound , But he is a great drummer .

[@khristophertanase3324]

I remember being at the release party for "Operation:Mindcrime". It was at a small bar/ restaurant on Eastlake, which I believe was called Rory's On Eastlake(it was over 33 years ago, so, memory gets a little foggy). Michael was telling people that,"The Edge is at our release party", due to the fact that I was wearing a leather bolero, a leather trench coat, and that I bear a passing resemblance to the U2 guitar player. I don't think anyone realized what was about to happen, once people heard their new album. It wasn't until some childhood friends of mine, moved out to Seattle, that I realized just how much Queensryche were blowing up around the US. My friends saw the autographed "Operation:Mindcrime" poster, on my wall, and they lost their minds! They couldn't believe that I actually was friends with Queensryche. I told them that they really needed to hear the band that we shared a practice room with, down at a place known as The Music Bank. I took them down to meet Alice in Chains. Thanks for this! It was a nice little trip down memory lane.

[@RazBenAri]

Amazing!!! Thank you for sharing that.

[@anselmlionel1503]

Nice story Khris. I still have nineties metal ringing in my ears. You can't beat that era. Truly pure honest music.

[@chrissym61463]

Awesome story! I wish I had friends that are friends with a bunch of kick-ass bands! 😉

[@Jermeister12]

Ain't that the truth KT😀😀 I'm always remembering shows here in Atlanta. The other day I forget what show it was , but I was like Band X played @ Club X then realized no it was club Z. I've seen Whitesnake twice for which I have no memory & not because I was waysted.😀😀 I just have no memory. As far as Queensryche goes I saw them 8 times .Ya know they were always awesome😀.

[@inconnu4961]

I must admit, a good bit jealous!

[@MrClamato39]

Well done. Queensrÿche is untouchable Frome EP to Promised Land. My all-time favorite band since 1986.

[@flyjohnson711]

Agreed. Them touring now as QR without Degarmo and Tate is like Zeppelin touring with just JPJ.....it is crazy they call it Queensryche. They should call it QR ON AM

[@foesfly3047]

Learning how they dumped Geoff completely turned me. I stopped paying any attention to what remained. I think I heard they later dumped Scott in similar fashion. No respect for the founding members- no respect from me. The original EP through Promised Land is the Queensryche canon.

[@James-qq2vq]

The warning and rage for order are absolutely must have albums!

[@FreeMTrider]

And the tours were even better. I was fortunate to see both live!

[@alwaysemployed656]

This was the band everyone took seriously. They even got the attention of nonheavy metal listeners with songs like Best I Can, Silent Lucidity and Empire.

[@t_StayHydrated]

These guys made 2 of the best metal albums ever created! Operation Mindcrime and Empire are both just so insanely good!!

[@mermaid_at_heart213]

Absolutely! And they were just as phenomenal live. I feel so lucky to have seen them perform not only Empire songs, but Operation: Mindcrime in its entirety.

[@kristine437]

Rage for order ❤

[@metallion0738]

Their new album DNA is actually very good and sold well.

[@metallion0738]

Also Rage for order.

[@11DBB]

I think the same and Rage for order. Perfect trilogy!!!

[@keithalank2447]

As a professional guitarist, bassist, and live sound engineer growing up on Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, and RUSH, I have to say that Scott Rockenfield and Eddie Jackson are the very best drum and bass team of their generation. Amazing tones and playing, just enough flashy stuff but never too much, and locked-in together as tight as possible. Always loved Chris DeGarmo's advanced and original chord choices as well. I used to have a badass '85 Olds Cutlass with a killer sound system I built myself, and Mindcrime, Empire, and Def Leppard's Hysteria were in constant rotation.

[@kaiulrich6185]

I was a local runner in the 80s and one day I had to take Geoff to a doctor for throat problems and he was the nicest and most humble guy. While he became that larger than life person on the stage later that day. You don‘t see that too often.

[@alisterfolson]

"I Don't Believe in Love" helped me get through my divorce. Forever grateful to those guys.

[@Wolf_Ghost]

I worked for them in 2005/2006. I'm on the credits for the mindcrime at the moore dvd. It says "set paint" as my credit but I was actually a carpenter. Built the stage and set it up, plus operated a riser. You can always as about a person with the last name Hester to Susan to confirm this. Their breakup was up like my parents divorcing. I didnt complete your video but I will when I get home. Very well done. Thank you. Edit: fixed a typo

[@glts8146]

Queensryche is my all time favorite band, so glad it’s getting a deeper dive here

[@calmnsense]

One of my favorites, too. Unfortunately, they just aren't the same without Tate and DeGarmo.

[@glts8146]

@@calmnsense True, but i do enjoy the La Torre era a lot. I think Queensryche was at their worst with Tate still through the 2000s. La Torre at least brought some life back into the band

[@angryagain3801]

My favorite band too. The albums between 1983 and 1994, this artistic output is untouchable. These are all excellent albums. Live performances were always excellent. From "..Now Frontier" onward it is just a bunch of good songs mixed with a bunch of forgettable songs. The LaTorre era has produced some pretty cool albums.

[@glts8146]

@@angryagain3801 Yeah the prime from 83-94 was near perfect, but there's definitely great stuff to be found after it! Tribe is an awesome album, and there's even good stuff on Q2K and Mindcrime 2. and of course, the La Torre era has been an awesome revitalization, love their last 3.

[@angryagain3801]

@@glts8146 I am in full agreement w/you on TRIBE. That's the last album where the great songs outnumber the forgettable ones until La Torre came aboard.

[@RocketPunchHero1]

Geoff Tate's vocals on Rage for Order, set the standard for 80's power metal.

[@powerslave7876]

I think Fates Warning did it with their first 3 albums, two of them before Queensryche

[@metalmami7862]

The warning too.

[@flyjohnson711]

Tate is better than Fates Warning. Good band, but they were no QR

[@gscgold]

I'll never forget the first time I heard that EP when it came out, I listened to it probably four or five times the first night I got my hands on it. To this day I still think it's one of the best records in rock history.

[@ChristChickAutistic]

Operation Mindcrime is one of the most important metal albums of all time and Geoff Tate is up there with Halford, Plant, Dio, Wilson, Mili, Perry, and Lee as one of the absolute best voices in hard rock and metal. I saw the Empire tour where the second half was Operation Mindcrime in its entirety. Best show ever.

[@troyivey94]

The original lineup is still the best.

[@shane8915]

The new lineup is not so bad either. They're a great tribute band. Everyone can't wait to pack into bars with a 50 person capacity just to hear them play. I hear that they even come close to selling out in some big cities.

[@metallion0738]

Up until the Promise land album, but HNTNF was awful and so was Tribe, with their new album DNA they are back on track.

[@metallion0738]

@@shane8915. How can they be a tribute band if they are coming out with albums on their own? Their DNA album excellent.

[@torreyintahoe]

Saw them in 93'. They did mind crime in its entirety. It's one of the best concerts I've ever seen.

[@mermaid_at_heart213]

91' for me and it was never even close to being matched; greatest show I ever saw.

[@epmacepmac]

Probably, the most under-rated band of their time!

[@metallion0738]

Not really because they sold over 20 million albums worldwide, it depends who we compared them with.

[@boke75]

Debatable but certainly one of the most appreciated metal bands with triple platinum lp sales of Empire.

[@luisvillarreal5262]

I'm glad I was able to see them live on their debut EP and meet them at a local record store for autographs. That first album kicked ass for only having four songs.

[@lukebrown3929]

I saw them in 83 with quiet riot. Never heard of them till then

[@longbow857]

I am not a metal fan and I wouldn't even call myself an Queensryche fan overall, but Silent Lucidity for me is one of the most magical songs in history. I am surprised that it was so popular at the time itself, because normally precious gems like this don't get appriciated by the larger crowd.

[@kellismith4329]

I agree with you, one if my favorite songs and the first song I learned on guitar

[@brianpinion5844]

i hear you ! i went to a concert just to hear that song live! no youtube then you want live you go, miss them days to!im like you i was never a fan but that song is just perfect

[@genarogarza376]

sadly your comment is exactly why the band went south. they were making music for the masses and not for headbangers anymore.

[@bradleybailey6417]

@@genarogarza376 exactly, SL is a crappy song

[@jamesthecat]

​@@genarogarza376No, it was trying to be grunge. Metal has always had ballads!

[@markreardon6663]

Operation Mindcrime was the album of the 80s and more than holds it own today. The Queensryche EP was pure metal at its absolute best. Geoff Tate along would go very very close to being the best metal vocalist ever.

[@dynjarren5454]

Rob Halford and even Bruce Dickenson both share that title Geoff is great, but nobody in their right mind can put him over either Rob or Bruce

[@richarddunning9082]

I would have to say he was the best.

[@dt90891]

Bruce and Rob are above Geoff. Truth.

[@freakazoid4691]

@@dynjarren5454 Bruce and Rob are far bigger stage personas and legends, but on pure vocal abilities I'd put Geoff up there with them.

[@tumbleweedtumbleweed]

Queesnryche is the first band I can think of to go “viral”… by distributing the ep on tape locally in Seattle, people made copies of copies, mine was like 4th generation. 😎

[@RazBenAri]

Good times.

[@stanboman7190]

That is awesome! Do you still have it?

[@seanb437]

Saw Queensryche play in Toronto on the Empire tour, they did 2 sets. One did a live theatrical Operation Mindcrime and a new and old stuff. Absolute incredible live performance.

[@stephennarayan]

I was there too. Incredible sets

[@chrisdinunno1737]

Warning does it for me. It's message it's sounds of something, of a far away land. Being a guitarist for many years, I'm amazed at the album's tone, it's hard to describe, and I know it's in the mix, I remember hearing their first introduction record around 1983. I was blown away when I heard Queen of the Reich. I knew it from that moment on that they were going to come out with something next and that was The Warning. After hearing the warning all the way through several times I knew that this band was not finished and always anticipated their next bit of work.

[@mermaid_at_heart213]

I heard Queen of the Reich and was instantly a life-long fan. I feel so fortunate to have seen their Building Empires tour in 91', including Operation: Mindcrime in its entirety. It is hands down the greatest concert I've ever seen.

[@theaxis2000]

agreed, the Warning and the Verdict with Todd LaTorre are my 2 fovorite QR albums

[@dusty3913]

I love all albums which feature Chris DeGarmo, including Hear in the Now Frontier. The stylistic change didn't impact the quality of the music. I enjoy following a band as their sound evolves. But, when DeGarmo left, I slowly lost interest.

[@joemartucci4786]

I agree I actually love hear in the now frontier. Seen these guys live a bunch of times promised land tour being one of the best concerts of ever seen. Being a bass player Eddie Jackson ranks as one of my all time favorites killer tone. Had the pleasure of opening for them on their I believe was the American soldier tour Chris had left already but they were still very good live. Had a chance to talk to Geoff Tate for a while before the show really nice guy.

[@darylsandlin5871]

Got it right. Everything began heading downhill with Promised Land (OK album but....) & when DeGarmo left, they died a slow death. I've still got alot of their later albums in hopes they'd recapture their talent (wishful thinking) but no go.

[@juliooliveira8831]

I love every album with some DeGarmo and Wilton input in songwriting, including Tribe which is, in my opinion, better than Hear in the Now Frontier. Real Queensryche = first 7 albums (EP Included) + Tribe.

[@isaacsmart5890]

@@juliooliveira8831 I agree that Tribe was their best effort post DeGarmo. Their overall music sound got better post Tate, but La Torre although talented just gives them sound like a completely different band. It's Crazy how much DeGarmo and Tate really helped give the band their sound.

[@geneconnelly3852]

@@darylsandlin5871 agreed - significant quality issues once Chris left.

[@geezberry8889]

Geoff is such an incredible singer i think the genre and band may have held back some potential success.

[@TheSateef]

Geoff Tate's voice still sends shivers up my spine after all these years like no one else, except perhaps James LaBrie in the I&W days

[@jehudavis5422]

Dont forget ray alder fates warning hes still fantastic

[@EionansEdge]

The Warning through Empire was all pure magic musically. The whole band fit so well together. When DeGarmo left it was over for me.

[@1969EType]

I was 16 when Mindcrime burst forth from the ever expanding Metal Music-verse. Listening to that album was like aliens landing on my block. It was incredible and its messages still hold up 35+ years later. Once they established themselves they really allowed their creativity to take over. They refused to be boxed in by the music industry and continued to push out in new directions to develop a unique sound on every album. Some albums were better than others but, they made music for the most important reason...they made a unique noise and sent it out into the world for their own enjoyment.

[@iamjackscompletelackofsurp9606]

These guys were perhaps one of the few hard rock bands back then with class

[@drakie7024]

Anyone remember that unplugged session.. was damn perfect

[@Isupportisreal2023]

I hope Geoff never retires or quits singing. Sounds just as good live as on cd. I love this band!!!!.

[@AClark-gs5gl]

Saw them open for Metallica back in the day. Out of every 80's/early 90's Rock or Metal concert I had attended...and I rarely ever missed a single concert that came through town...NO other band has ever hit me with a wall of sheer, non stop power like these guys did. It was like being hit with category 4 hurricane force like winds...constant! I felt like I was that guy sitting in a chair being blown away by a wall of sound in the old Maxwell Cassette Tape ads. Keep in mind, they were playing through an opening acts P.A. system to boot! THIS DOCUMENTARY...AWESOME!💪

[@Tommy-cl3im]

I also saw them open for Metallica 1988 in Sweden. Setlist was: 1. Queen of the Reich 2. Anarchy-X 3. Revolution Calling 4. Operation: Mindcrime 5. Speak 6. Spreading the Disease 7. Take Hold of the Flame 8. I Don't Believe in Love 9. The Needle Lies 10. Eyes of a Stranger Fantastic setlist and evening! Only downside was that Eddie Jackson had to replace a broken bass string and was off stage for two songs.

[@mcasteel2112]

Yup, seen the very first show both nights in Toledo Ohio. Metallica had used the area to gear up for the N justice for all tour and we got tickets to both nights opening the tour.

[@darylking265]

I Saw them open For Metallica in Atlanta just before Metallica played "One" at the Grammys. Seeing the band got me to buy the Operation Mindcrime CD.

[@mynameisnotbob941]

I feel sorry for the poor souls that wax nostalgic remembering Silent lucidity on the radio but are unaware of all the great music they made.

[@Sebastian-dx2xg]

My favorite band. Met them about 25yrs ago. Still have pictures with them. Kool guys. Geoff Tate had a little bit of the rocker attitude. Understandable. Michael and Chris were real kool.

[@TheConfusedJew]

Outstanding video...I think Empire was one of the first Metal albums I bought and listened to and went 'whoa, this isn't Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll'. Even friends who weren't metalheads liked the album. Incredible musicianship and lyrics. I miss music like this. I'm guessing many of us who watched your video feel the same way...thanks for it! :)

[@Heavymetaleternia]

Love everything they have done to and including Empire plus their last three records with Todd La Torre.

[@RazBenAri]

If you disliked Promised Land before this video, give it another spin. I think it'll hit different.

[@welcometobooksplugged8538]

One of the best rock shows I've seen between 1977-2019 was Operation Mindcrime. Small venue, up close and personal. Tate's voice was haunting. I think most bands naturally create concept albums but purposely disconnect the dots in the studio.

[@savvy1856]

100% accurate. Queensryche was a TREMENDOUS live band and Geoff Tate was the best vocalist in the genre in his prime.

[@expendableone6803]

I've been to alot of concerts, and I feel the same. Still my favorite tour.

[@jonyamasaki6725]

I saw Queensryche live twice - Operation Mindcrime was the last time. They played the entire album back to back…AWESOME experience!!!

[@hankskiar1571]

I remember when I bought Queensryche debut album I said this is the greatest 4 song album I ever heard.

[@tobydufrene1880]

Queensryche has always been my favorite band from the moment I heard them! For ahead of their time with brilliant song lyrics and badass guitar riffs. The gut pumping drum beats of Scott Rockenfield totally complimented the bands recipe for a life-long taste of pure original American metal. They created an unpassable gauntlet for future bands to try and proclaim. I'm 50 yrs old now and I haven't seen any band cross the gauntlet and I'm certain that in my lifetime they will remain the best metal band in the greatest musical era of my life. 🤟

[@maaaguz]

wonderful documentary, meets this legendary band well

[@RazBenAri]

Thanks a lot!

[@foesfly3047]

I’m glad these guys enjoyed the commercial/financial success of Mindcrime and Empire but Rage for Order was their purest, most original, creative, inspired and passionate project. Every song is a masterpiece.

[@shorerocks]

Good Lord, I forgot how tremendous influential they were for me. I was happy enough to buy the first EP when it came out, and until Empire this was the greatest music I could imagine. Promised Land I liked, too, and that's when I first saw them live in Germany. Wow. Just... wow. What a band.

[@arm5080]

I never was into them growing up Slayer but after watching this documentary I’ll definitely start listening to them with an open mind

[@RazBenAri]

Nice!!!

[@rruizquintero6847]

You didn't know what you were missing

[@chrissym61463]

You won't regret it

[@ilovelexi1t20]

Don't sleep on Promised Land. That album a masterpiece!

[@MT-su2lq]

Same here. The music was perhaps a bit to complex for its audience at that time. Silent Lucidity was running in heavy rotation on mtv over years putting them somehwere in the mainstream. Then Promised Land. Which is for sure not mainstream. That was the problem.

[@michaelglattli4768]

Queensryche pretty much had no choice,but to make an album like Promise land,due to the changing musical style of the early 90s.

[@moochee22]

Promised Land was a great progression from Empire. It was dark at times. Great songs. I love it.

[@mercuripietro6888]

i always loved degarmo style and playing very tastefull and melodic

[@davidransom4703]

axle rose commented on mtv that queensryche was the best band at that moment and then they / mtv played them everyday

[@RazBenAri]

I didn't know that! Awesome!

[@davidransom4703]

@@RazBenAri yeah i watched it on mtv was always pissed that queensryche was never taken seriously i tip my hat to axle for doing that for them

[@whiskeynvinylrecordcollect9019]

Operation Mindcrime, The greatest album ever made. No one could top Queensryche, in their prime.

[@lardog118]

Met the band, especially Geoff Tate in the early 90's. They were in Spokane, WA and after their show they were at a hard rock bar. Buddy of mine was the doorman and he let me know they were there. Geoff autographed a book I had on me and actually read some of it. Great bunch of musicians.

[@angusorvid8840]

Excellent documentary. I've been a fan of Queensryche ever since seeing the video for "Take Hold of the Flame" on MTV in '84. It was a joy to see this band I loved so much make a breakthrough in '88 with Mindcrime and the attain greater success with Empire. I saw both tours. They were incredible live. The sad irony is that it was the grunge movement, birthed in their hometown of Seattle, that smothered Queensryche and so many bands unfairly painted as "hairbands". Had it not been for this unfortunate turn of events I think they could have sustained their success just by staying true to what they were and DeGarmo would have stayed. The creative force of the band came out of the musical tension between Tate and DeGarmo. The music business is brutal.

[@SaintLewisMusic]

This should be called "The Rise & Fall, & Rise again of Queensryche"... every new album gets better & better! Love the current line-up!

[@theaxis2000]

Same here. They finally sound liike Queensryche again the last 10 years

[@icemike874]

Exactly! The new band lineup and last three albums are Solid 💯🔥 Some of the Heaviest in the whole catalog

[@NeverLostRoamer]

EXCELLENT job, thanks for posting, you answered some questions that I have always wondered about,

[@vineetg4044]

Queensryche downfall was Geoff Tate's obsession with getting his family members into the management. He was unreasonable.

[@pulsatingsausageboy2076]

Incorrect. That isn’t what happened.

[@joefuentez7232]

What I’d give to know everything that happened behind closed doors that led to Chris Degarmo leaving the band.

[@RazBenAri]

Me too man, me too.

[@thelonghaul5214]

this is one of my favorite bands of all time, specifically the original line up. they are definitely one of the most under rated groups out there

[@dcummings4834]

I'm so happy that I found this. I'm a huge Queensryche fan. Very well done!

[@LerockJohn]

Been a fan since 1984. There was some archives footage that I've never seen before. Job well done!!

[@jerrymyers1798]

I saw Queensryche 6 times in concert and considered them my favorite band....but when DeGarmo left, then Tate, I lost interest. Those 2 were irreplaceable.

[@terryadams8620]

I saw them 8 times with Tate then la torre

[@rscotta831]

I lost complete interest after Promised Land. Thought they were permanently dead. Then in 2015 I was listening to Eddie Trunk and they played "Eye 9." My interest in the Ryche has since never been higher. Their last 2 albums are sensational. They've caused me to listen even more to their classics. Todd La Torre's solo album is right behind Operation Mindcrime as my 2nd fav Ryche/spin-off.

[@fafolaw]

Listen to their last albums with Todd La Torre, they might chenge your mind, they're definitely not irreplaceable, in fact it's clear that Tate was the reason they were doing shitty alt rock music because they sound like Queensryche again without him

[@SaintLewisMusic]

@@rscotta831 Yeah, the latest album is great, & makes me want to listen to Rage for Order as a follow-up every time. They have the same vibe.

[@juliusbishop3629]

Saw them at the Switch in Raleigh, NC February 89, and Greensboro Coliseum July 91. Incredible shows. They were having fun in the small venue stopping and starting songs at will and blowing our minds!

[@ericballi4701]

Love Queensryche. Introduced to them from a friend as a 15 year old when Mindcrime was out. Such a great album. Still my favorite concept album.

[@scottschuette74]

Queensryche has always been my favorite band since the beginning. I saw them in concert I think 3 times back in the 90's and the first time was their "Empire" tour and it blew me away. Me and my my buddy were right down in the front row in front of Chris with his beautiful multi-colored guitar (loved the paint job). The show was was unbelievable and was hooked on the band. The 2nd concert was for "Promise Land" and I will admit it wasn't as good as Mindcrime or Empire, but it had some really good songs on it , I still play the CD in my car from time to time. Then came "Hear in the Now Frontier" and something was terribly off. I wasn't sure why and I couldn't tell that it wasn't Chris playing guitar, I must have been too far back at the venue. Later I found out he had left the band. I think the main reason that Queensryche had fallen from being one of the greatest metal bands of all time to kind of being yesterdays news is that the producers pushed them in the wrong direction. The secret for longevity in music is letting the musicians do their own thing and allowing them to be creative. I also understand that in super groups egos will inevitably clash and that can and will destroy a band, look at Guns n Roses, that list is long. But no matter what happened, Queensryche gave us some of the best music of our time and I still love rocking out to their old albums. To Geoff, Chris, Michael, Eddie, and Scott, Long Live the Queen....of the Reich!!

[@RazBenAri]

That might be the case, but there's also the possibility that their own desire to constantly reinvent themselves is what made them go into these strange, experimental directions. Brian Heaton is going to be releasing a book very soon about Queensryche, I'm hoping it'll have some insight on that. Appreciate you watching and the nice message!

[@davesimmons5217]

Just a small correction: Chris actually did play on the Hear in the Now Frontier album and the FULL tour. That was indeed him on stage during that tour. He left the band after that tour wrapped up. He quit the band in December 1997 and it was announced to the public in January 1998. He retuned to play on the band’s album Tribe; released in 2003. There were rumors at the time that he would join the band on a co-headlining tour with Dream Theatre in 2003. Sadly that never happened. And the Tribe sessions were the last thing Chris did with the band. They later released a track from those sessions called Justified. The last known recording with Chris. Just an FYI.

[@scottschuette74]

@@davesimmons5217 Thanks for the correction, it was a lifetime ago for me...lol. All I remember was that album was crap. And at the concert they had big inflatable ears on stage that were cheezier than a can of cheese whiz

[@davesimmons5217]

@@scottschuette74 - No problem. The reason for the stripped down stage show at that point was because their record label EMI went bankrupt and couldn’t fund the tour. The band paid for that tour out of pocket. They did the best they could given the circumstances. Thanks for sharing your memories and impressions. Queensrÿche is one of my favorite bands and I’ve followed them through the ups and downs. I love interacting and hearing other’s impressions.

[@scottschuette74]

@@davesimmons5217 I agree!

[@micahmcgonigal9947]

I remember seeing them open for Metallica for a few years in Fresno, Ca. Still the best sounding live band I’ve ever heard!!

[@ibenimages]

Great rock documentary! Your play of words in each chapter is brilliant and well thought. Thanks! Subscribed. Hello from Jakarta Indonesia 🤟

[@ANPC-pi9vu]

Hear in the Now Frontier is actually such a good rock album. It's just not possible to ask a band of real creatives to keep putting out the same sound.

[@homeaccount5943]

Tell that to Def Leppard..

[@kellybarthel8060]

Tell that to AC/DC.

[@kellybarthel8060]

Weird tuning on it and some of the first few songs are not as good but saved, sPOOL, ect. Are great.

[@ANPC-pi9vu]

@@kellybarthel8060 Well, there's a reason I think AC/DC are over rated. All their songs sound the same to me.

[@kellybarthel8060]

@@ANPC-pi9vu oh and they know, ac/DC has said it themselves don't get me wrong there are 10 to 12 great songs there.

[@danielnm156]

Queensryche to me ended with Promised Land which I also think is their most underrated album. Today with the new singer they sound like a really good Metal band but in their peak Queensryche was the Pink Floyd of Metal and possibly for a very brief while the greatest metal band of all time.

[@TRex-rh6rf]

Great documentary. Been a Queensryche fan since The Warning which is my favorite all time album of theirs. One of my friends introduced me to their music and it was a breath of fresh air in the 80s metal & rock scene.

[@ultimattdoom]

Just want to say thank you for making a great video. Very educational 👍

[@danielsan3681]

Exellent video/documentary! 🙂

[@jnb756]

Was a fan the first time I heard Queen of the Ryche and the four songs on that EP got worn through by my record - yeah record - player needle. When Rage for Order came out and that first chord progression of Walk in the Shadows hit - there was no finer moment than that by the band. Rage is my favorite followed by anything from the EP to Promised land - all of them equal in importance and bring me back to the best years of my life.

[@LEDPENNY]

I was actually more of a fan of Promised Land than Empire. Even though it was more mellow it was also darker and less commercial. Brings back a lot of memories for me and I always enjoy playing it on dark cloudy days.

[@Rikrik1138]

I agree, Promised Land is an album I also enjoy more than Empire. The creativity is much better on that album.

[@jehudavis5422]

I pretty much agree

[@stevenpurtee5062]

Absolutely agree. Empire has a couple of good songs on it, but Promised Land is a far superior album.

[@jehudavis5422]

Only thing is the music world changed in between empire and promised land

[@JKennedy442]

I was kind of an odd ryche fan myself, as I thought Empire and Promised Land were better than Mindcrime (which I'd put 3rd best).

[@jimvincent6408]

There was never a better Metal band back in the day with Jeff at the helm, great band!

[@rancosteel]

Great documentary. Thanks for creating it.

[@alexmanne]

Really enjoyed this video. I was 12 years old when Empire came out. Thats when I got into Queesryche. So I remember when Promised Land came out. It was highly, highly anticipated. Unfortunately, I felt it was a bit of a letdown. Same with Hear in the Now Frontier. I remember when they toured for it in 1997. I didnt go because I had lost interest in the band by then. I was listening to the radio DJ talk about the show. He said it was an unbelievably great show but the venue, Coral Sky Amphitheater, was shockingly half full. I knew they had definitely peaked. I saw Geof Tate's Queensryche in 2013 in Ft. Lauderdale. Really good show though. Shame what happened to the band but Empire and Operation: Mindcrime will always be among the list of all-time classics in rock music.

[@MjMetalhead]

DeGarmo was my guy. I met him backstage in L.A. The sweetest guy ever. Man I miss this group.

[@metallion0738]

You mean nicest, sweetest sounds fruit cake bro.

[@JustAnotherStar1990]

very good video, now i know more and it inspires me, great job!

[@MelvinZoopers]

Well done my friend! Great video!!

[@MrAllDay2u]

30 years later... Operation Mindcrime is still to date my favorite (non-greatest hit) album of all-time. Thank you guys 👊

[@LeperMessiah1977]

Great documentary. Been a big fan of the band for some 30 odd years and experienced Geoff Tate live a couple years back. Operation Mindcrime is my favourite album of all time. You do them justice. Good job.

[@erenn6476]

Very concise retrospective video. Job well done

[@kristyderringer946]

Thanx dude for posting this 😊

[@epicchants]

This is an excellent and well put together documentary Raz. I enjoyed watching this. Hope you can continue the story with Todd la Torre. I have 7 albums of QR on LP and they truly are one of my top fav metal bands of all time.

[@RazBenAri]

Thanks man. I might do that at some point, we'll see! Make sure you're set to receive notifications. Cheers!

[@epicchants]

Subscribed and Alert is on.

[@rscotta831]

Same here. Just bought the 5-song EP, Warning, Rage and Mindcrime (5 different releases) to add to Condition Human, The Verdict and Todd La Torre's solo, all on LP.

[@ziggypop79]

Excellent video by the way

[@RazBenAri]

Thanks mate!

[@rb8058]

Very well constructed docu, enjoyed watching and re-discovering these songs. So much of their story sounds like Faith No More…hoping you produce something on them in the future.

[@bangurhead4027]

Thank you!!!!! I'm really glad you treaded carefully on how to portray these incredible musicians in your video, which was much needed and should have been a tad bit more detailed and longer, giving us more insight into what makes them really tick. I've been listening to them (QR) from the gets, out the gates with that alternative sound, very "different" sounding first release. They deserve to be in the rock n roll house of fame, incredibly talented band, when things were moving, 'eh?? ☝👍💯🍻

[@ferraridan4883]

Silent Lucidity; epic. One of the best songs in history. Nothing hard about the song; just pure genius.

[@SuperBernardoful]

Great info, thank you!

[@RazBenAri]

Thanks for watching Ben!

[@SuperBernardoful]

Was my absolute pleasure, "Operation: Mindcrime" is my favorite album of all time!

[@toneshepherd8300]

Well done documentary... one of my favourite bands.. and probably one of the bigger influences in my own songwriting.... thank you...

[@charlesroyka]

Nice compilation and excellent work.