Queensryche 30th Anniversary show review
@ Capital One Bank Theater  – Westbury, NY August 4, 2011

My hometown band Queensryche (Seattle, Washington) made another visit to Long Island playing Westbury Music Fair (they call it Capital One Bank Theater now).  With no air conditioning for the warm summer evening the venue ended up being a sweaty experience for everyone to be treated to "Seattle's best rock."


Before Queensryche took the round stage Long Island local band Craving Strange played an energetic opening set that ran somewhere in the neighborhood of an half hour.  This band seemed genuinely excited by the opportunity and took advantage giving a rousing effort.  Their songs are catchy, quick and their honest enthusiasm carried over to the crowd.  I think they definitely won over some new fans which you could include me.


Queensryche played an 1-hour 45 minute set that covered a little bit of all their albums compiled over the past three-decades.  The set list was:
 1. Get Started
2 Damaged
3 I Don't Believe In Love
4. Hit the Black
5. The Hands
6. A Dead Man's Words
7. At 30,000 Ft
8. Rhythm of Hope
9. Real World
10. NM 156
11. Screaming In Digital
12. The Lady Wore Black
13. Walk In The Shadows
14. The Right Side Of My Mind
15. Around the World
16. Silent Lucidity
Encore:
17. Jet City Woman
18. Empire
19. Eyes Of A Stranger/Anarchy-X


My favorite songs from the evening was "I Don't Believe In Love," "A Dead Man's Words," "Screaming In Digital," "Jet City Woman" and "Empire."  It seemed like the audience was responding to all the stuff that came from EP, The Warning, Rage For Order, Operation Mindcrime and Empire.


The band put on a spirited cool show with Geoff Tate giving the audience a treasure chest of vocals.  Tate has always had extraordinary range and his multi-octave pipes did not disappoint.  Tate talked between songs about some of the history of the band and origin of the songs which was fitting  for this 30th Anniversary tour.


Besides Tate's extraordinary voice the other main component to this band has always been Scott Rockenfield's drumming.  To be truthful, universally the audience members I spoke to felt that Scott Rock stood out big time.  It's not like he wants to overpower his band mates but his active, diverse drum work just does.  He doesn't sound like any other drummer and Scott Rock is equal parts power and diversity and always a master at creating a groove.

They say a picture paint a thousand words so I'll let the following photos illicit whatever it does for your viewing pleasure.

 

Ever since I heard "The Lady Wore Black" in 1982 while listening to KISW (Seattle's Best Rock radio station), this band has been one of my favorites.  They always put on a good show.  I've seen them open for Metallica (no easy feat), standout as the best band @ Madison Square Garden playing with Halford & Iron Maiden.  I've seen them many other times as the headliner or co-headliner (with Dream Theater) and every time you get your money's worth.  I've meet the band before but felt this time Geoff, Eddie and Michael were more open to talk about their music and we even had some good discussions about living in and around Seattle, Washington.  I highly recommend you guys catch this special 30th Anniversary Tour because you will be able to travel through the catalog of this amazing band that's had longevity, success and continues to make music they way they want to do.

 


(Photo Linda Viviano)


(Photo Linda Viviano)


(Photo Linda Viviano)


(Photo Linda Viviano)

 

Four tour dates – please visit:

www.queensryche.com

 

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