QUEENSRYCHE with John 5 and Eve To Adam EVENT REVIEW! 2/5/2020
Queensryche
John 5
Eve To Adam
Neptune Theatre
Seattle, WA
2/5/2020
(All Photos: Mark Sugiyama for Eclectic Arts (c) 2020)
Greetings,
I was extremely happy when it was announced that hometown heroes Queensryche were embarking on a new 2020 tour in support of their fantastic release, "The Verdict". I was all set to cover their show last year at the same venue when health factors put an abrupt stop to that. So, on Wednesday evening I got another opportunity. The boys were back with the amazing John 5 as support and with rockers Eve To Adam opening at the Neptune Theatre.
"Another Rainy Night (Without You)" could aptly explain the amount of rain the Seattle area had been going through this week. Yes, it does rain here but this was like "grab the ark and the animals" amount of rain. Before the doors opened to the venue, I drove past and saw the early arrival fans all huddled underneath the overhang of the theatre, trying to stay out of the pouring rain.
I waited things out and once inside, the lights dimmed at 8pm and the show started with Eve To Adam. The four-piece from NY (but based in Florida) did their damndest to get the crowd going with their brand of hard driving tunes. With a cover mixed into the set and a song dedicated to the veterans (the band has partnered with 2VetsOAM (on a mission) to end veteran suicides and homelessness), the band made the very most of their compact 30-minute set. As a side note, it didn't dawn on me until after their set that I saw guitarist Ronny Gutierrez two years ago when he was touring with Kobra and The Lotus. Small world!
After a very quick changeover, the video screens (made from amplifier cabinets) on stage started up with clips from Godzilla to "A Clockwork Orange" and several classic horror films which signaled John 5 was about to lay waste to the Neptune Theatre. The trio took the stage and we were off!
I have been a fan of John 5's work since I saw him way back in 1995/1996 with the ever amazing kd lang at the old Seattle Opera House (now McCaw Hall). I distinctly remember as kd introduced her band, when she got to John she mentioned his work with Ozzy, which prompted the riff from, "Crazy Train". I have a live recording of this show (don't ask me how) and John 5 was already a gifted guitarist. Fast-forward 25 years later and the man is just jaw droppingly good!
Complete with stage makeup and a standup and take notice wardrobe, John 5 and his band played a set of instrumentals that had the audience pumped from the get go. Visually assaulting and musically all over the map, John 5 showed his profound dexterity and diversity on the instrument.
By the time he ended his set with a covers/influences medley (a trademark of his shows it seems), the crowd was going nuts. The adage always leave them wanting more is appropriate here as that's exactly what John 5 did.
The stage was now set for Queensryche! The opening strains of the instrumental, "Launder the Conscience" from the new album, blared out over the PA, as the audience grew anxious. Then the band hit the stage launching into a fairly deep cut in, "Prophecy" from the reissued EP. Being a touring show, the band had their full stage set up with them, including video screens and a constantly changing light show.
The set list was nicely divided into new material and classic songs. Since the release of, "The Verdict" the band has done everything to play as many new songs as possible, which is much appreciated. The album has been universally praised and rightfully so. The third release with vocalist Todd La Torre, the band is finally showing it's true potential that started back in 2012 when Todd first joined the band.
Classic tunes this time around included, "Operation Mindcrime", "Walk In The Shadows", "Take Hold Of The Flame", "Breaking The Silence", "Silent Lucidity", "Jet City Woman", "Screaming In Digital", and main set ender, "Queen Of The Reich" as well as encores, "Empire" and show closer, "Eyes Of A Stranger".
From the new album we were treated to, "Man The Machine", "Bent", "Dark Reverie", and, "Light Years".
A few pleasant surprises in the form of, "Resistance" from the "Empire" album and deep cut, "No Sanctuary" from "The Warning" were welcome additions to the set list.
If Wednesday night was your first show, you got to hear the well-known songs, new songs, and a few left of center tracks. If you've been to a 'Ryche show before then you got all of the above with some variance which is always nice (and hard to pull off the more times you've seen them live).
I've covered the band four times and have seen them five times with Todd. The fact that his voice is sounding as good as it is after eight years of singing some incredibly challenging material (the understatement of the year) is just amazing. He continues to be the spark that has brought new life and direction back to the band. And I'll say it - he is also waving the flag of being a connection with the fans. Yes, this was a hometown show but I've seen it around the world. Todd fist bumping countless fans during performances, Todd talking to the audience respectfully and taking the high road when possible, Todd autographing an item MID SONG (this happened last night), etc. He continues to be an approachable and humble front man. And it is greatly appreciated and definitely not going unnoticed.
And let's talk about the newest member (I consider him a member at this point) Casey Grillo. Casey's drumming has always impressed me since I saw him in 2017 for the first time with the band. His drumming last night was just dead on. He is comfortable with the material. He never misses the "Scott isms" that many fans want to hear yet he is clearly his own drummer. His custom kit last night actually reminded me of Scott's chains kit from the early years. Both are very different kits but the customization of each is what brought comparisons in my mind. No disrespect to Todd as his drumming on the new album was great but I would love to hear Casey on the next studio album. I think his drumming could really elevate the band that much further if given the chance.
I loved the fact that Parker's tune, "Dark Reverie" is in the set right now. It's one of my favorite songs from the new album and it sounded great live, too! I was waiting for Parker to stand on the riser in the center of the stage (in the front) during his solo but he did his thing from stage right as he usually does.
Ed and Whip are the old veterans of the band and everyone knows this. They continue to work to bring the Queensryche name back to where it belongs - in the world of rock and metal. When I tell people I'm going to see Queensryche nowadays, the reaction is one of either, "I'll see you there" or "damn I wish I was going". Gone are the days of hearing, "is their new album any good" or "I gave up on them a long time ago".
Queensryche are back. They've been back. And now they're conquering the world one tour at a time.
Best,
Mark Sugiyama
Eclectic Arts
EA on FB
Eclecticartszine AT gmail DOT com
Special Thanks: Claire - thank you very much for opportunity!
Queensryche
John 5
Eve To Adam
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