Queensrÿche: Intimately Triumphant in Seattle

Queensrÿche w/Armored Saint and Midnight Eternal
Showbox, Seattle, WA
11.15.16

Proving after 30 years to be one of the most triumphantly hard rock bands around, Queensrÿche brought their ongoing legacy to Seattle’s Showbox for what felt like an almost intimate performance full of VIP fans having the time of their lives.

The night opened with symphonic metal band Midnight Eternal out of New York City. Lead singer Raine Hilai, with her theatre background, stood barely 5-feet tall with a massive, soaring voice. Combining speed metal and operatic tendencies, the group seemed to be enjoying themselves.

They were followed by Armored Saint, a classically-powerful LA metal band who’ve been around since ’85. They were a lot more punk metal, with a side of glam, and sounded a bit like early Queensrÿche. There were two long-haired guitarists, a Hare Krishna bassist, and a bald lead singer who liked to run around the stage. Their set stayed up tempo, with harmonic backup vocals and some serious high notes. There was also plenty of hamming it up for the cameras and guitar solos aplenty.

For a band of Queensrÿche’s caliber, the Showbox might have seemed a small space, but it fit the evening just right, making the show feel more passionate and intimate, and really for the fans. Their new lead vocalist Todd LaTorre ran around the stage head-banging, and filling in quite well for original singer Geoff Tate. The crowd, mainly in the 40-60 range and clad in leather jackets, was mostly men, including a special VIP section at stage right.

Two 10-foot LED screens on either side of the drum riser changed scenery, occasionally flashing to life with lyrics to accompany the live tracks. One guitarist would occasionally come across the stage to jam with the other, and everyone sang along to “Silent Lucidity,” with its big guitar solo in the middle of the stage, playing to the crowd’s energy.

The crowd was super excited for “Empire,” including a few Hells Angels, given away by their telltale jackets. The whole band seemed to be having a great time playing all the old songs. They finished with the crowd stomping on the floor, cheering wildly for an encore.

Queensrÿche Set List
Guardian
Operation: Mindcrime
Best I Can
Damaged
The Killing Words
The Mission
Arrow of Time
Silent Lucidity
Empire
Eye9
Queen of the Reich
Jet City Woman
Take Hold of the Flame
Encore
Screaming in Digital
Hellfire
Eyes of a Stranger