That’s right, all throughout the month of February, I’ll be devoted time to all things Progressive, or Prog for short. Easily the oddest & strangest of music subgenres, it’s unique stylings create for some artistic listening experiences. To start things out, it was only necessary that we look at one of the founders of the genre, but here’s the problem.....there’s too many to count! However, one band in particular has been bouncing around my skull, and they seem eager to get out. It’s time to take a look.....at Queensrÿche.
Ah yes, Queensrÿche. In recent years original singer Geoff Tate has definitely shot himself in the foot with his mouth & actions, but there was a time where he was an individual that could do no wrong. Especially in the 80s, Tate was providing the voice for one of the biggest Prog Metal acts to ever exist. As a launching point for this month’s theme, I thought it would be appropriate to check out a classic album from early on in their career. So sit back, relax, and enjoy my take on Rage for Order. Let the review begin!
Background
After the moderate success of The Warning, Queensrÿche had a little bit of clout withing the metal scene. Taking more of a Progressive route, the band employed a 2-guitar approach, and brought on a keyboard as well. Lyrically, the album was unusual as well, with it’s themes of social/personal, political and technological aspects, along with the dangers of artificial intelligence & government intrusion. Then after recording the album (The drums were recorded in a stone warehouse, and the guitars were recorded on two old Marshall's that were on the verge of exploding), Rage for Order was released on July the 14th, 1986.
Rage for Order achieved great success on the Billboard 200, gaining the number 47 position (In contrast, The Warning gained the number 61 position). Rage for Order was the first Queensrÿche album to feature the iconic Tri-Ryche album, as it would be used on all subsequent albums in some manner. In a strange turn, EMI-America insisted on Queensrÿche take on an image associated more with glam rock, glam metal or gothic metal, rather than Prog Metal. Because of this image issue, promo photos for Rage for Order and it’s album artwork depicted the band members wearing trench coats, heavy make-up and perms.
Basic Description
80s Prog gold.
Though Prog music first started in the late 60s & early 70s, it really wasn’t until the 80s when it got onto it’s feet, and when Queensrÿche (Along with 80s Prog Metal pioneers Dream Theater & Fates Warning) finally got a hold of it, something magical happened. The normally brutal Heavy Metal now had something new to work with. Something more artsy, something with a little more depth & flavor, and something that had access to a new source of sound. Queensrÿche really hit the jackpot, and would mine the Prog Metal mine for ages. Rage for Order was one of the first gems they found, and they would shape it into something incredible.
Best Track
I Dream In Infrared! While it’s only the 2nd track on Rage for Order, it’s a more than adequate gateway into one of the most progy of Progressive Metal albums from the 80s. Guitar work, bass, drum work, and keyboard are all nice & heavy, and Geoff Tate’s vocal work is superb, but it’s the Prog artistry at work that really makes this song special. Prog has always been a more artistic style of music, with it’s usage of keyboard & experimentation of sound, and it’s goal of being more cerebral that other metal subgenres. The end result is a song that leaves an impact that quite odd, but one in which you don’t mind.
I Dream In Infrared
Despite this, the whole album is fantastic. From top to bottom, Rage for Order takes it’s rightful place among the Progressive classics, metal or otherwise. It’s managed to hold up quite well since it’s release back in 1986, and fans of the record today still hold it in high regard.
Worst Track
If one wanted to be picky, you could theoretically argue that Rage for Order’s single fault is how
hokey the record sounds. Note: I said hokey, not dated. Rage for Order still manages to sound remarkably fresh in 2017, and it continues to age well. However, despite Prog Metal’s origins in the late 60s/early 70s, the genre was relatively young in the mid 80s. Due to this youth, Rage for Order’s Prog stylings come across as rather primal, and it might not be recognized as Progressive by some listeners.
Overall Impression & Rating
Rage for Order was born in the heart of the Progressive movement of the 80s, and while the band may have gone down different paths in recent years, Queensrÿche’s classic material still stays true to the roots of Prog. This was an album that could have only been created in the 1980s, when Progressive Metal was crawling out of it’s strange little corner of the metal world. Again, the album might be a little on the hokey side, but if you take the time to sit down and listen, then you’ll find that Rage for Order is an essential Prog Metal release!
Rage for Order gets a 10 out of 10. A Progressive Metal gem!
So this was a look at Queensrÿche, a Prog Metal icon from the 80s. Along with other prog icons, the band set out to be both heavy & innovative, and carved a path that not many others were able to follow.....for the most part. See you all next week, when a certain Canadian & his most recent offering will make themselves known. Until then, walk a little on the Prog side!
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