QUEENSRYCHE with Marty Friedman and Trauma Neptune Theatre Seattle, WA 3/22/23
QUEENSRYCHE
The Queensryche Digital Noise Alliance (DNA) Tour rolled into Seattle with the veteran guitar maestro Marty Friedman and the bay area thrashers Trauma in tow. The hometown gig for the band as a whole since this is where they started back in the early 80’s (three current members reside elsewhere) was full of longtime supporters who go to every ‘Ryche show when they’re here.
This tour was as advertised. I’ve been covering ‘Ryche shows since 2016 (and have seen them prior to EAM) and I have been reiterating how the new material needs to be aired more. As much as I enjoy hearing the legacy tunes, the new material is great in its own right. Well, I finally got what I wished for as the setlist was a strong mix of new material (with Todd), The Warning tunes, and of course some of the more well known songs to round things out.
The tunes from DNA worked really well in a live environment. They seamlessly mixed in with other Todd era songs which then flowed right into The Warning era songs. It just goes to show that the legacy material and the newer material can work well together. When in an opening slot such as on the Priest tour, it makes sense to play almost all legacy tunes as that’s what the fans want to hear. But, on your own headlining tour (especially here in Seattle), mix the setlist up and you’ll get great results.
The only fans that may have been disappointed were the newbies. If you’ve never seen ‘Ryche before, you may have wanted to hear a few more legacy tunes but you can’t please everyone. Again, the majority of the fans have seen the band at least once (if not multiple times) so pulling out gems like “Deliverance” and airing the Todd era tunes was the way to go.
Todd was back in fine form after having been ill a week earlier. The band as a whole seemed rejuvenated and that may have something to do with the new setlist on their own headlining tour.
The support came from Marty Friedman who has been living in Japan for a long time. His all Japanese band tore through a strong energetic set of instrumentals that really got the crowd fired up for Queensryche. Having John 5 on one tour and now Marty Friedman on another is a great way to go. The instrumental sets really add an extra impact when Todd and the band come on stage and the vocals seem to soar even higher (after hearing instrumentals for 40/45 minutes).
Trauma opened the show with a thrashy back to the 80’s set that had the crowd headbanging through their short but tight set.
Overall, this tour package is strong from beginning to end. A mix of metal that worked extremely well together.
Best,
Mark Sugiyama
Eclectic Arts Media
Marty Friedman
Trauma
Neptune Theatre
Seattle, WA
3/22/2023
Trauma
Neptune Theatre
Seattle, WA
3/22/2023
(All Photos: Mark Sugiyama for Eclectic Arts Media (c) 2023)
(All Photos: Mark Sugiyama for Eclectic Arts Media (c) 2023)
The Queensryche Digital Noise Alliance (DNA) Tour rolled into Seattle with the veteran guitar maestro Marty Friedman and the bay area thrashers Trauma in tow. The hometown gig for the band as a whole since this is where they started back in the early 80’s (three current members reside elsewhere) was full of longtime supporters who go to every ‘Ryche show when they’re here.
This tour was as advertised. I’ve been covering ‘Ryche shows since 2016 (and have seen them prior to EAM) and I have been reiterating how the new material needs to be aired more. As much as I enjoy hearing the legacy tunes, the new material is great in its own right. Well, I finally got what I wished for as the setlist was a strong mix of new material (with Todd), The Warning tunes, and of course some of the more well known songs to round things out.
The tunes from DNA worked really well in a live environment. They seamlessly mixed in with other Todd era songs which then flowed right into The Warning era songs. It just goes to show that the legacy material and the newer material can work well together. When in an opening slot such as on the Priest tour, it makes sense to play almost all legacy tunes as that’s what the fans want to hear. But, on your own headlining tour (especially here in Seattle), mix the setlist up and you’ll get great results.
The only fans that may have been disappointed were the newbies. If you’ve never seen ‘Ryche before, you may have wanted to hear a few more legacy tunes but you can’t please everyone. Again, the majority of the fans have seen the band at least once (if not multiple times) so pulling out gems like “Deliverance” and airing the Todd era tunes was the way to go.
Todd was back in fine form after having been ill a week earlier. The band as a whole seemed rejuvenated and that may have something to do with the new setlist on their own headlining tour.
The support came from Marty Friedman who has been living in Japan for a long time. His all Japanese band tore through a strong energetic set of instrumentals that really got the crowd fired up for Queensryche. Having John 5 on one tour and now Marty Friedman on another is a great way to go. The instrumental sets really add an extra impact when Todd and the band come on stage and the vocals seem to soar even higher (after hearing instrumentals for 40/45 minutes).
Trauma opened the show with a thrashy back to the 80’s set that had the crowd headbanging through their short but tight set.
Overall, this tour package is strong from beginning to end. A mix of metal that worked extremely well together.
Best,
Mark Sugiyama
Eclectic Arts Media
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(All Photos: Mark Sugiyama for Eclectic Arts Media (c) 2023)
(All Photos: Mark Sugiyama for Eclectic Arts Media (c) 2023)
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