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| Metal/Prog Metal CD Reviews |
| Track by Track Review
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Blood of the Levant
The record starts off with a riff-heavy, chugging metal tune. Right off the bat, the band shows that they have plenty of life in them by incorporating some modern elements into the classic Queensrÿche sound. It is a fantastic way to start an album and just goes to prove that the song sequence is still very important.
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Man the Machine
Michael Wilton and Parker Lundgren start off this fast song with some melodic riffing just before La Torre cuts through with his unmistakable vocals. To my ears, this track reminds me of Rage For Order era music mixed with parts of the Empire era. |
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Light Years
This is where I feel the record gets a little more modern sounding at the beginning but then turns into a nice melodic tune. There is a really cool bridge right before the solo that has Eddie Jackson ushering in the melodic guitar solos. Don’t let the beginning fool you, this song has a number of twists and turns that will have you wondering how they were able to fit so much in in just over four minutes. |
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Inside Out
I find this song has a Middle Eastern flavor with some 60s psychedelia thrown in. Again, there are some new elements added to give the cut a new, yet familiar, feel.
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Propaganda Fashion
“Propaganda Fashion” starts off almost like you are coming in on a song already in progress. While I like this track, it is probably my least favorite on the record. If this was the only song I heard off The Verdict, I would be raving about it, but the quality of the other cuts overshadows this tune.
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Dark Reverie
If Queensrÿche did ballads, then “Dark Reverie” would be it but if you are looking for another “Silent Lucidity,” then look elsewhere. This has a bit of an epic feel and, while it is a mellower song, it is one of the highlights of the disc. I like that it is in the middle of the album and it is bookended by heavier tracks. |
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Bent
This is the longest cut on offer here and contains a lot of those Queensrÿche prog elements. I especially like the soaring guitar solos that fit the song without being overplayed, and the vocals are superb. If you like the title track off Condition Human, then you’ll love this one, as well.
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Inner Unrest
The album returns to a more straight forward format, but not in a bad way. “Inner Unrest” is a mid-tempo metal track that has that Empire feel to the point that it would have not been out of place on that record.
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Launder the Conscience
Just like “Bent,” we get another prog-ish tune. The band shine in the context of these types of songs. They show off their musical chops but not to the detriment of the track; always making sure the song comes first. There are couple of soundtrack type elements that connect the different pieces that make up this song, which gives it that epic feel. |
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Portrait
Things end on this odd little tune. It almost feels out of place in that it reminds me of “spOOL” off of Hear In The Now Frontier, where the rest of the album has a very classic Queensrÿche sound. While it seems out of place, I really like this and feel that it ends the disc in fine fashion. I have played this album well over 20 times and each time I hear this song, it grows on me a little more. |
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