This got political quickly! - Queensryche - Empire - REACTION 

The entire album here should be listened to front to back. Epic. And the story it tells could still be told today.

One of the best mixed/engineered albums ever.

The 10 dead in Chinatown is from an event that happened in Seattles Central District where 10 Tong gang members were gunned down in a gambling house... location might be off it has been 30 years since I lived in town and my memory is fuzzy. Mostly the song is about the rise of street gangs in the early 90s late 80s in Seattle

I’m a huge old school Queensryche fan but you’re entitled to your opinion. Queensryche’s best album is the concept album Operation Mindcrime, as I’m sure you’ve been told 😀 and that’s where they talk about Revolution

I’m glad you are giving these guys another chance, the Operation Mindcrime album is a concept album and it’s amazing.

Nice reaction. Personally, I think Empire and Operation Mindcrime are 2 of the best rock albums of that period.

Queensryche's Operation Mindcrime would be like Rush's Hemispheres and Queensryche's Empire record would be like Rush's Moving Pictures. BOTH are masterpieces for different reasons and stylistically different from each other. How ironic that Queensryche ended up using most of Rush's main producers and engineers. Don't think that was an accident.

Rage for Order is my favorite album by Queensryche. "Neue Regel" and "Screaming in Digital" were my personal favorite tracks by Queensryche. At the time it came out there was nothing that sounded like it and consider it a hidden treasure that needs to be discovered.

Good for you giving Queensryche a third chance! I grew up with these lyrics; it built a strong and moral generation.. GenX!!!!

This is called Prog-metal(Progressive Metal)! It makes you think!!

Your Mindcrime album react brought me here and was EXCEPTIONAL. New sub, looking forward to your channel.

It’s really cool that every voice you hear in the song is Geoff Tate. First time I listened to it, they sound like 2 people, but it’s 1 incredible singer

Scott's drums! Those little details like the fills at the end, the double bass on Jet City Woman, not to mention MINDCRIME - just puts him on another level. 🔥🤘😠🤘🔥

Empire! First QR song I ever heard, on the radio, in 1990. Immediately knew that I was going to love that band.

The two songs that were recommended to the reactors on RU-vid are not the ones I would have recommended first as a Queensryche fan. Thanks for giving them another chance, I am a big fan and saw them in concert, and I don't get why Take Hold of the Flame live in Japan is so frequently recommended. It's not awful, but it's pretty raw. And Queensryche is not known for being raw, if ever there was a heavy production band, this is it.

Im the biggest Ryche fan. Always a strong message in their lyrics. Ten Chinese were slayn in Seattle in a war. Seattle is Queensryche home town. Im glad ur learning more of this band. You will love them. Greatest band ever! Love my Ryche! Ryche on brother

They really were a great band and have layers to their music. A lot of great albums, some mentioned in these comments here; would like to honorably mention one myself of peak quality and growth in the band which is, 94's release : 'Promised Land' , which was the next release after 'Empire'. - Cheers -

Very good - despite the period during their heyday (80’s), Queensryche in their music, covered social issues rather than typical fluff content of that period. They have a vast catalogue and I hope you’ll wish to continue to discover it on this musical journey. You have now covered two tracks from this stellar album - “Anybody Listening” is the final track and truly worth a listen - powerful stuff! Btw: apologies, as you may recall I had chided you ages ago - perhaps unfairly - because of your then unfavourable first reaction to ‘take hold of the flame’. Music is not only subjective but very much a personal thing - cheers

OPERATION MINDCRIME.

Just listen to operation mindcrime .it needs to be listened to in order and all at one hearing. It's a masterpiece of a concept album.

Tate was always optimistic and supportive of the younger generations. Also "their only crime was being in the wrong place at the wrong time" I believe is a nod at the lack of discipline and training in law enforcement.

So one of the thing that has to be understood about this song is that in the 80s there was a lot of government neglect of the inner cities in the US, this meant there was a lack of opportunity but also that in high crime areas there was a lot of extreme under policing to the point that there was areas where the police would rare bother patrolling and 911 calls had very long response times if anyone ever showed up. There in some area there was basically a mentality that crime could be ignored because the bad guys are just killing each other, even though a lot of innocents got caught in the crossfire. So its not really that police aren't strict enough, its that there just isn't any police investment in these communities and there always is going to be a crime problem if there is no consequences for committing crimes. Also if you listen to a lot of their works you get an idea that the problem as they see it is a general neglect on all fronts, not just police, that leads to crime, decay, and a lake of legitimate opportunities.

Dude you don't have to like everything, negative comments are ok, just don't let them stop you from speaking your mind. Honest reactions are the way to go, you will get quality subs and not a bunch of wussie boot lickers being an honest person. I love Queensryche and I loved all your ryche reactions. Keep it up.

I wll add my voice to the choir of Operation Mindcrime lovers. I agree that that is one of the best concept albums ever not only in 80`s but all time ) So if you do some review on Operation Mindcrime its not easy to choose a single track as they are all a part of a bigger picture.

Jet City Woman, Another Rainy Night, Della Brown and Anybody Listening would be nice ones to check out from this album. I think you'll enjoy them now you are more familiar with their sound after the Mindcrime reviews. I actually bought the Empire album by accident back in the day thinking it was something else. Loved it ever since. This was a great reaction, loving this channel!

Ok... its time for Queen of the Ryche 🤟

Another good Queensryche song is called "I am I" - it's a good song with interesting lyrics.

Never apologize for a true feeling upon first impression. People can be harsh. Just discovered the channel litterally 10 minutes ago. Great review. New sub from me. Queensryche was my favorite band in 88/89 and played their stuff everyday. My best friend hated them but he rode with me so he grew to love them too. It’s not a band everyone likes upon first listen and that’s totally okay. Keep up the good work. 👍

Really glad you did this one! And that you like it. I was worried you'd do suite Mary, which is good, but I don't think you're deep enough into queensryche yet and we might have lost you. It's a little out there. Jet city woman is another great song from this album. I wouldn't try to listen to it with today's world in mind because it's a totally different universe. Keep in mind we're generation X, the lost generation, the generation without a future... We were the generation in crisis... of the cold war, consumerism and the first with two working parents which means we were essentially neglected and left to unhealthy devices. That's more of where this is coming from. Regardless, the 80's was a fantastic decade and I'd love to have it back again.

I’ve been a huge QR fan since I was 12/13yo & got the💿for🎄. From 1990-2000, it was 1 of 4💿s by male🎤s I ‘ran into the ground’. I know every1 goes 4the Op.🧠crime, which is a great💿. But Empire is the 1 that stole my 🎶 -al❤️! I even wrote “Silent Lucidity” as my fāv 🎵by a male🎤in a 5pg📝for my AP Lit. class sr.yr. of h.🏫(best grade I got all yr too😁). However I would give a🎧to “Anybody Listening?,” “Della Brown,” (esp.MTV Unplugged) & the classic “Scarborough Fair” (same thing). That’s a lot right there, but do give a🎧, even if it’s not a reaction vid.😇.

Great breakdown of a great song/video! Queensryche is an amazing band ( the original band, that is ). Check out "Anybody Listening" from the same EMPIRE album!

#1 Tommy- no need to apologize for your opinion- it is YOUR opinion, and you always present it in a well thought out manner! #2 Queensryche is my favorite band of all time, and I have probably seen them a dozen times in concert and met them in person. Fabulous musicians, genuine, intelligent and well spoken people. IMHO, Geoff's politics got heavier handed over the years, and that detracted from my enjoyment of the shows a bit (and perhaps had something to do with the breakup?) But, I respect his opinions, even if they don't align with mine. In any case, Geoff is one of the best of all time, but I would be curious to hear your take on their newer stuff with Todd LaTorre. (Album "Condition Human") Keep up the great work!

Very Very awesome song 🎵

Thank you for your pre vid comments and covering more QR! Tate said it was about gang warfare and drug trafficking going out of control.

It's AMAZING that they wrote this that many year ago and it could be the theme song for 2020

Perhaps check out Della Brown, could be the best song they ever recorded (depending on who you ask). Empire and Operation Mindcrime are by far their best albums.

Kudos for being willing to reconsider your own preconceptions and give Queensryche another chance...I'm glad you enjoyed this one. The band was at their peak creatively by the time their previous album was released, and reached their commercial peak with this album. Don't overlook the "Rage for Order" album though...it's an underrated gem. I would recommend the song "Screaming in Digital" from that album...it's like nothing else I've ever heard. God bless!!

Important to note that this was released in 1990. Violent crime peaked in the US in the early 90s. A lot of people look back critically now at things like the Clinton Crime Bill (1994) with an eye on criminal justice reform and mindful of racism in the police force and court system. And while I think we are looking at another needed course correction, in some cases, people are looking back and judging what was being done that time without the full historical context. Poorer urban areas were basically being written off and unpoliced and it was in many cases minorities who wanted a bigger police presence to stop gang violence and make their neighborhoods safer.

One of many of my very favorite from Geoff Tate.

Yeah, Queensryche can be slow grower, I didn't like it at first but after listening more it became one of my favorites! Rage for Order and operation: Mindcrime are a must listen. : )

You like Geoff Tate's voice? You must listen to Queensryche's "Della Brown" Unplugged! Its legendary!

Here is what this song is talking about. The song is actually talking about Drug (Crack) epidemic that jumped off in the mid 80's and when it says Eastside meets Westside Downtown they are talking about the Street Gangs that were divided and set off against each other as each set were Fighting against other Rival Gangs for control of what block or what Territory that they are trying to defend against Rival Gangs or Crew Sets that were in their Turf The bottom line is that Queensryche went straight to the Streets for inspiration to make a record of this song and I'm proud of them

You're right Tommy. Listen to the studio cuts first before a live performance. I prefer to do it that way. Another great song is I Don't Believe in Love. Operation Mindcrime is a collectors item.

BEEN listening to Queensryche since 1985.. Check out " Suite Sister Mary " it's just all around phenomenal

He really speaks about what's really going on.

Only two words for you Tommy ... "Operation Mindcrime". It's by FAR their BEST album. It is EPIC!! Do it like u did Dream Theater concept album. But it's much more straight forward to follow, but awesome story.

love the album Empire, but the song Empire isn't my fav song, but it's still a great song. there is an amazing song on the Empire album, Anybody Listening?

You're not wrong to feel what you feel. All these years later your experience is going to be different than ours when it was original. Glad your giving things a chance. I always thought it wasn't about "the police aren't tough enough", but more that the government wasn't serious about it's desire for law and order, or they would've invested in it. It was a lie to attract votes.

Much of their messages are equally applicable today

If you weren't a teenage street kid in the late 80s and early 90s, you won't fully grok this song. With youth crime down by 2/3s since 1990, the contradictions of that time don't make any sense to those who didn't live through it

One of their more "dated" songs, although still somewhat applicable thematically. Not nearly the best on the album but still enjoyable. I appreciate you giving them another try.

Listen to Revolution Calling and Best I Can. You haven't heard the best. Della Brown is another good one.

That "live" video is EXACTLY the same as the studio version. That was NOT live. Don't care what they say. Studio is 100% the same as that live video

You have to text to the entire album Operation: Mindcrime

I agree with you more on this political subject than Queensrÿche, but the song is nevertheless is cool. Gotta nip the problem at a young age, before it even becomes a problem, through education and opportunities available for poor. Just spend money for a better environment for them. Do all that, and the government won’t have to spend so much on law enforcement and prisons.

Brave to wipe the slate clean. Well done sir. The song is about the drug/gang crisis of the 80’s

🙂

This was your best analysis yet! Really locked onto the meaning of the lyrics. Next you need to check out their incredible concept album Operation: Mindcrime (you can start with the title track.) Even some of their older tracks like Neue Regal or Warning. Heck, some of their later post-Geoff Tate tracks like Hellfire are great. PS-You were dead on with Silent Lucidity, it's an awful song.

OMG! Finally someone who gets it. This was written at the height of the crack epidemic but nothing has changed even as of 2023. Crack just got some buddies with opioids.

OPERATION MINDCRIME........

Per ur comments, I think Queensryche lyrics were actually exactly what u were thinking it should be about. So think u and they were saying same thing. Was also from around 1993,4 (not sure).

Nice!!!!!

Production perfection again, not any sour tones or notes here. Not on song nor on any instruments..

Dude, whey are you apologizing for stating your opinion! If you didn't like it, then you didn't like it! Fuck the comments, they are a bunch of fan boys! I certainly don't agree with your first takes, but sure as hell think you are entitled to your opinion and to state it freely! That's a true reaction!

Marvellous. 3 LBW's on the trot, Tommy Lad. I won't hear anything bad about Queensryche - Geoff Tate era, of course. There is no Queensryche for me after the acrimonious split but that's a story for another day. Opinions are like A-Holes; everybody's got one. And in my A-Hole, their best album is Rage For Order. But then, I am probably older than a lot of your viewers. :D Good review, anyway - lyrics extremely relevant for nearly 20 years ago. Keep slaying 'em. Us miserable Northeners will achieve world domination one day.

Excellent critique my friend.... listen to something off of Operation Mindcrime; it's worth your time.

I need someone to react to All Her Favorite Fruit by Camper Van Beethoven. Right now, I hope it's you.

They were a very political left wing Progressive rock band. Singer Geoff Tate calls himself a Socialist

Interesting that you have only heard tracks NOT from their album 'Mindcrime'....the whole thing is a single story. YOUR MIND WILL BE BLOWN.

This album didn't come out in the '80s. Empire came out in the early '90s. The attitude about monies being spent on law enforcement was propagated all throughout the United States regarding the war on drugs. Some can disagree with me of course, but I felt like the war on drugs was a bunch of nonsense to begin with. The reason we needed to have a war on drugs is because we needed an excuse to arm our police like the military. Which you have seen play out in the last 20 years or so. Now the public trust with law enforcement has definitely been damaged, hopefully not irreparably. The truth in the matter is, the whole "defund the police" is in direct response to the war on drugs. Here in the United States we spend way too much money on our law enforcement. We require them to do things they aren't skilled or trained to do. In fact, some of the training that they should have doesn't exist. The solution has become shoot first by some law enforcement officers. I say that as a former law enforcement person. When I was in law enforcement there was always emphasis on de-escalation use of force. Today, we see police officers shooting people and not being held accountable for it. In fact, we've rewritten so many gun laws in this country now people can just walk around armed with whatever they want. Some people think that's just the way it should be. And some of us think this is ridiculous and it will only escalate into more violence and to more senseless death. Based on what we've seen on how America has dealt with the pandemic, it's not all that surprising. Rather than wear masks and get vaccinated, there are people who would rather turn it all into some government conspiracy. This is so they can justify their own lack of humanity. It discussed me personally. In my mind, this song didn't age well. It's propagating a notion that was wrong 20 plus years ago and is even less valid today. I think we should be spending way more on space exploration. As far as how much we spend on national defense, we already spend more than the next 11 or 12 nations that are closest to us combined. Maybe we wouldn't need to spend so much if we stop meddling in other nations affairs. Don't get me wrong here, I love Queensrÿche and I always will. They dared to cover topics that most artists would steer clear of. But that doesn't mean that they always got it right. No artist gets it right 100% of the time.

I admire your tenacity, BUT A clever message hidden under a wall of sound. That requires more than one play to understand. Goes over my head. So I did not get the point. You were probably right firs time.

Just stop screwin around and do ALL of "Livecrime". On it's own I think "Anybody Listening" is the heaviest track lyric wise.

I like Queensryche due to their high level of musicianship however their politics makes the music dated.