Queensryche - The Warning - 12" vinyl LP album

Queensrÿche is an American heavy metal band formed in 1982 in Bellevue, Washington. Their debut studio album, titled “The Warning”, was released in 1984, and is considered a landmark album in the band's discography. The album features a blend of progressive rock and heavy metal, and showcases the band's unique sound and style. In this web-page, we will discuss the musical and lyrical themes of the album and the impact it had on the heavy metal genre.

“The Warning” is a musically complex album, incorporating elements of progressive rock, heavy metal, and classical music. The band's use of synthesizers and atmospheric soundscapes gives the album a futuristic and otherworldly feel. The album's opening track, "Warning", begins with a dramatic, atmospheric intro before launching into a high-energy, guitar-driven riff. The song features dynamic shifts in tempo and intensity, showcasing the band's technical prowess and musical versatility.

The album's second track, "En Force", is a heavy, fast-paced song that features intricate guitar work and a driving rhythm section. The song's lyrics, which focus on the dangers of government control, set the stage for the album's dystopian themes.

Lyrically, “The Warning” is a concept album that explores themes of government control, societal collapse, and personal freedom. The album's title track, "Warning", warns of a future where governments have total control over their citizens, and encourages listeners to fight for their freedom. "En Force" explores similar themes, with lyrics like "The strong will exploit the weak, for the cause of peace they'll justify the means".

“The Warning” was a critical and commercial success, and is considered a landmark album in the heavy metal genre. The album's unique blend of progressive rock and heavy metal, coupled with its dystopian themes, influenced countless bands in the years that followed. The album's use of synthesizers and atmospheric soundscapes also set the stage for the emergence of the progressive metal genre

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Band Members and Musicians on: Queensryche The Warning

Band-members, Musicians and Performers
• Geoff Tate - vocals

    Geoff Tate i an American singer, songwriter, and musician who is best known as the former lead vocalist of the heavy metal band Queensrÿche. He was born in 1959, in Stuttgart, West Germany, and raised in Tacoma, Washington.

    Tate co-founded Queensrÿche in 1982, and he served as the band's primary songwriter and lead vocalist throughout its early years. He has been described as one of the most distinctive and powerful vocalists in the heavy metal genre, known for his soaring vocals and dynamic stage presence.

    During his tenure with Queensrÿche, Tate helped the band achieve commercial success with albums such as "Operation: Mindcrime" and "Empire". In addition to his work with Queensrÿche, Tate has also released several solo albums, including "Geoff Tate" and "Kings & Thieves". He has also collaborated with other musicians and bands, including Avantasia and Operation: Mindcrime.

    Tate's contributions to the heavy metal genre have been widely recognized, and he has received numerous awards and honors over the course of his career. He continues to perform and record music, both as a solo artist and with various bands and projects.

• Chris DeGarmo guitar, background vocals

    Chris DeGarmo an American musician, songwriter, and guitarist who is best known for his work as a founding member and primary songwriter of the heavy metal band Queensrÿche. He was born in 1963, in Wenatchee, Washington.

    DeGarmo co-founded Queensrÿche in 1982, along with his childhood friend, drummer Scott Rockenfield. He played guitar and keyboards for the band, and also served as one of the band's primary songwriters, contributing to many of their most popular and successful songs.

    During his time with Queensrÿche, DeGarmo helped the band achieve commercial success with albums such as "Operation: Mindcrime" and "Empire". He was known for his innovative guitar playing and his ability to incorporate complex musical elements into the band's sound.

    DeGarmo left Queensrÿche in 1998, after the release of the album "Q2K", to pursue other interests. He has since worked as a producer and songwriter for other musicians and bands, and has also worked in the aviation industry, becoming a commercial airline pilot.

    Despite his departure from Queensrÿche, DeGarmo's contributions to the band's legacy and the heavy metal genre have been widely recognized. He was inducted into the Washington State Music Hall of Fame in 2010, and Queensrÿche has continued to perform and record music in his absence, while also acknowledging his significant contributions to their success.

• Michael Wilton guitar, background vocals

    Michael Wilton is an American musician and guitarist who is best known for his work as a founding member and lead guitarist of the heavy metal band Queensrÿche. He was born in 1963, in San Francisco, California.

  Wilton co-founded Queensrÿche in 1982, along with drummer Scott Rockenfield and guitarist Chris DeGarmo. He has been a key member of the band throughout its history, contributing to many of their most popular and successful albums and songs.

  Wilton is known for his technical proficiency as a guitarist, incorporating complex riffs and solos into the band's sound. He has also been involved in the songwriting process for many of Queensrÿche's most memorable tracks.

  In addition to his work with Queensrÿche, Wilton has collaborated with other musicians and bands, and has released solo material. He has also been involved in various musical projects and has performed as a guest musician with other artists.

  Wilton's contributions to the heavy metal genre have been widely recognized, and he has received numerous awards and accolades over the course of his career. He continues to perform and record music with Queensrÿche and other projects, and remains an influential figure in the world of heavy metal.

• Eddie Jackson bass, background vocals

    Eddie Jackson is an American musician and bassist who is best known for his work as a member of the heavy metal band Queensrÿche. He was born in 1961, in Robstown, Texas.

  Jackson joined Queensrÿche in 1982, shortly after the band was formed. He has been a key member of the band ever since, contributing to many of their most popular and successful albums and songs.

  Jackson is known for his powerful and melodic bass playing, and his ability to provide a solid rhythmic foundation for the band's music. He has also contributed to the songwriting process for many of Queensrÿche's most memorable tracks.

  In addition to his work with Queensrÿche, Jackson has collaborated with other musicians and bands, and has released solo material. He has also been involved in various musical projects and has performed as a guest musician with other artists.

  Jackson's contributions to the heavy metal genre have been widely recognized, and he has received numerous awards and accolades over the course of his career. He continues to perform and record music with Queensrÿche and other projects, and remains an influential figure in the world of heavy metal.

• Scott Rockenfield drums

  Scott Rockenfield is an American musician and drummer who is best known for his work as a founding member of the heavy metal band Queensrÿche. He was born in 1963, in Seattle, Washington.

  Rockenfield co-founded Queensrÿche in 1982, along with guitarist Chris DeGarmo and guitarist/keyboardist Michael Wilton. He has been a key member of the band throughout its history, contributing to many of their most popular and successful albums and songs.

  Rockenfield is known for his dynamic and innovative drumming style, incorporating complex rhythms and percussion into the band's sound. He has also been involved in the songwriting process for many of Queensrÿche's most memorable tracks.

  In addition to his work with Queensrÿche, Rockenfield has collaborated with other musicians and bands, and has released solo material. He has also been involved in various musical projects and has performed as a guest musician with other artists.

  Rockenfield took a hiatus from Queensrÿche in 2017 to focus on personal projects, and has not returned to the band as of 2021. However, his contributions to the heavy metal genre and Queensrÿche's legacy have been widely recognized, and he remains an influential figure in the world of heavy metal drumming.

• Michael Kamen conductor

  Michael Kamen a name synonymous with epic film scores and soaring orchestral arrangements, also left an undeniable mark on the world of rock music. While his career spanned various genres, his collaborations with rock legends like Pink Floyd, Metallica, and Aerosmith remain a testament to his unique ability to bridge the gap between the raw energy of rock and the grandeur of classical music.

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  Kamen's foray into rock began in the early 1970s with his own band, The New York Rock & Roll Ensemble. This outfit experimented with blending classical influences into their rock sound, foreshadowing the collaborative spirit that would define his career. His talents soon caught the attention of established artists, leading to his first major rock project: arranging Pink Floyd's "The Wall" for its live performances. This collaboration showcased Kamen's ability to seamlessly integrate orchestral elements into the band's progressive rock tapestry, adding a layer of depth and emotional resonance.

  Throughout the 80s and 90s, Kamen became a sought-after collaborator for rock heavyweights. He crafted the iconic orchestral arrangement for Aerosmith's power ballad "Dream On," transforming it from a rock anthem into a timeless classic. His work with Metallica on their groundbreaking "S&M" live album , featuring the band performing with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, remains a landmark achievement in the history of rock and metal. "S&M" not only pushed the boundaries of genre but also introduced a wider audience to the power and beauty of orchestral arrangements within rock music.

  Beyond specific collaborations, Kamen's influence on rock extends to his broader approach to music. He challenged the traditional boundaries between rock and classical, demonstrating how orchestral elements could enhance the emotional impact and sonic richness of rock music without compromising its raw energy. His work opened doors for future artists and producers to explore the potential of orchestral arrangements within the rock genre.

  Michael Kamen's legacy in rock music lies not just in his individual contributions but also in the way he redefined the sonic possibilities of the genre. He showed that rock music could embrace the power and sophistication of classical music, creating a unique and emotionally resonant sound that continues to inspire and captivate audiences today. His work serves as a testament to the transformative power of collaboration and the boundless potential of music when different genres and styles converge.

Track Listing of: Queensryche The Warning

Tracks:
• Warning (Geoff Tate, Michael Wilton) 4:46
• En Force (Chris DeGarmo) 5:16
• Deliverance (Wilton) 3:21
• No Sanctuary (DeGarmo, Tate) 6:05
• NM 156 (DeGarmo, Tate, Wilton) 4:38
• Take Hold of the Flame (DeGarmo, Tate) 4:57
• Before the Storm (Tate, Wilton) 5:13
• Child of Fire (Tate, Wilton) 4:34
• Roads to Madness (DeGarmo, Tate, Wilton) 9:40