Queensryche
The Art of Live (DVD)

July 2004
Released: 2004, Sanctuary Records
Rating: 2.0/5
Reviewer: EvilG

What ever happened to one of the world’s best progressive, melodic, reflective, METAL bands – Queensryche? Many a fan has been asking this question for around 14 years now.



This band recorded what is hailed by many as the best metal concept album ever - OPERATION MINDCRIME. It was followed by a lesser, but still great album, EMPIRE (1990). Since then, the band has released one disappointment after another. It’s not like they don’t have the ability to do something great once again (they are all talented musicians and Geoff Tate still has a great voice)…I think it’s their desire to deliberately be less metal and project a more artsy fartsy image and sound. Even the way this DVD was filmed adds to its blandness…not to mention the crappy bass-less dry sound. To make matters worse, this was entirely filmed in grainy sepia-toned color (old and brown looking). Most of the songs on here come from the forgettable post-EMPIRE albums…yawn. The uninspired performances of great songs like “The Needle Lies” and “Best I Can” shows a band going through the motions. As a fan of old Queensryche, this is just sad to watch. Even the inclusion of covers of 'Comfortably Numb' (Pink Floyd) and 'Won't Get Fooled Again' (The Who), performed with various Dream Theater guys, did not bring me out of my slumber while watching.



Bottom line – if you want some live Queensyche get the DVD’s LIVE EVOLUTION (2001) and OPERATION LIVECRIME (1991) and avoid this release unless you are a total undiscriminating Queensryche freak! The artsy fartsyness of live indeed...