SCREAMING IN DIGITAL
                                       
The On-Line Queensryche Digest : Volume 171 - 26Dec94

   "Futuristic 'Rychean discussion." - Michael Wilton
   "Quite entertaining to read." - Chris DeGarmo
   
   Produced in cooperation with the Queensryche Campaign fan club.
   Hosted by Internet Online Services, a division of IDT.
   Edited by Dan "Shag" Birchall
   
   Mail: qryche@ios.com
   FTP : ios.com, /pub/users/qryche
   WWW : http://www.ios.com/~qryche/
   
   
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Screaming in Digital - Editor's Note

   Welcome back, everyone - I hope those of you celebrating Christmas had
   an excellent time. I know I did, despite my annual cold, and although
   the holiday rush didn't leave time to talk to Tina much this past
   week, I plan to chat with her more this week.
   
   
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Contents

   Newspaper Review - Steven
   Michael's Guitar Stolen - Jaime
   US Tour - Sherry
   Not Selling Out - Jared
   Mindcrime Comic - Peter
   Album Covers - Rowan
   Album Covers - Jim
   Promised Land Views - Charlie
   Promised Land Views - Rowan
   Promised Land Views - Mystii
   Rage Interpretations - Michael
   Rage Interpretations - Phil
   Rage Interpretations - Paul
   Rage Interpretations - John
   Rage Interpretations - Jared
   Bootleg Trades Wanted - Darrell
   Suite Sister Mary Tablature Wanted - Jason
   Promised Land Tablature Wanted - Rowan
   Ride to German Show Wanted - Tobias
   
   
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Neue Regel - News & Reviews

   Newspaper Review - Steven (svjohnson@amoco.com)
   
   The Chicago Tribune's review of Promised Land follows in its entirety.
   
          Queensryche's fifth album, Promised Land, growes all the
          cliches of the dreary gothic-metal genre, yet finds
          significance in crisp musicianship and heartfelt yearnings.
          Damaged lumbers along in positively reptilian fashion, with
          singer Chris DeGarmo's cryptic groanings straddling throbbing
          bass lines. On the song Bridge, the band emotes a sense of
          responsibility, touching on a subject that matters most to
          their core listeners, teenagers: intergenerational conflict.
          Pleasant as it is, My Global Mind is fluff. But tracks like
          Lady Jane - with a lithe DeGarmo piano introduction igniting
          a frenzied composition - more than compensate.
          -Brad Webber
          
   Notice how the reviewer knows nothing about the band's genre, can't
   even get the singer's identity correct, tunnels the band's audience to
   an extreme focus, and doesn't elaborate on opinionated song
   descriptions. I believe this guy to be a complete jackass who is
   ignorant on all counts about the band, its influences and its medium.
   
   Michael's Guitar Stolen - Jaime (salas-ma@plains.nodak.edu)
   
   In an article in the February 1995 Guitar for the Practicing Musician,
   I read that Michael's favorite white ESP guitar, the one on the cover
   of the December 1994 Guitar magazine, was stolen en route from Europe
   to the west coast. The serial number is 17663, and anyone with any
   information should phone (206) 957-1318. Michael says, "We'll take
   care of you."
   
   US Tour - Sherry (sdumire@wvnvm.wvnet.edu)
   
   According to an interview with Scott in The Rock N' Roll Reporter, the
   US tour will start in April.
   
   
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Speak - Comments & Questions

   Not Selling Out - Jared (rogersj@tpd.eds.com)
   
   I am truly glad that Queensryche did not "sell out" with Promised
   Land. I feel that they are trying to cater to their fans and only
   their fans. This CD is in no way mainstream. This is a very deep and
   introspective CD with a great sound. I, myself, have always been
   interested in band who refuse to "sell out." Bands such as Fates
   Warning and Dream Theater always put out albums knowing that they
   probably won't get much airplay and probably won't be on MTV. These
   are the bands which you can go see at a small club, get front row
   without getting smashed, and then shake hands and talk with the band
   after the show. True fans go to these shows, not your everyday
   listener. This is generally a higher class of people, mostly
   musicians.
   
   I am a musician myself and find Queensryche's sound to be one of the
   most interesting and innovative around. I have spent large amounts of
   time studying their style and unique way of writing music. In my
   opinion, one of their best efforts to date is Rage for Order. This CD
   explodes with creativity and no two songs sound alike. The CD was very
   well produced and engineered as well as written by people who are some
   of the best in the world.
   
   My only complaint about Promised Land is Geoff's voice. I don't know
   if I am the only one who noticed it, but although he sounds great, in
   many of the songs he sounds like a heavy smoker. This is most obvious
   in Someone Else. This sound can easily be overlooked, but one can't
   help but think that if he keeps it up, his next album may not sound
   that great. If anyone on this list knows Geoff, tell him that it is
   affecting his voice and in my opinion, he needs to quit smoking now!
   
   Mindcrime Comic - Peter (caulfield_g@kosmos.wcc.govt.nz)
   
   I read in an earlier issue about the idea of an Operation: Mindcrime
   movie - why not a comic? We've already had snippets of the Nurse and
   Nikki in the Livecrime video, and the Eyes of a Stranger video off
   Building Empires, so why not take the concept a little further?
   
   Comics are often underrated in terms of emotional impact. With the
   right artist, the saga of Nikki and Doctor X could be brought to new
   levels. Jae Lee's unique style is one that springs to mind - any
   readers of his Hellshock series should be able to picture the world
   through the eyes of Nikki and Jae - harsh, unforgiving and brutal.
   Other more main-stream artists would probably be able to do a good job
   as well, but would probably make the series a little more commercial,
   and not necessarily as gritty and realistic.
   
   
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Discussion

   Album Covers - Rowan (ginseng@yoyo.cc.monash.edu.au)
   
   I was never really impressed with the Mindcrime cover, although
   looking back I think it was the perfect design for that CD. I admire
   what they tried to do with the Empire cover, but it didn't turn out so
   hot. but I really liked the Promised Land one - nice colors, nice
   design, and that ever present tri-ryche logo. It doesn't really tell
   much about the music inside, I guess.
   
   Album Covers - Jim (rycherox@aol.com)
   
   I agree that the cover art for Empire was lacking, but how can anyone
   say that about Promised Land? The moods that explode from the artwork
   are astounding, and it's like opening the door to a new world every
   time you open the CD casing. If awards were given for best packaging,
   Promised Land would be a frontrunner - and you can take that to the
   bank! Open the booklet and gaze at it for a few minutes... you may
   even start to hear swamp noises, and your vision may be obstructed by
   a fog bank moving in from the distance.
   
   Promised Land Views - Charlie (charlie@saints.ssc.nasa.gov)
   
   I pretty much think the new album is a major disappointment. The only
   songs I really like are Damaged, Bridge, and Promised Land. Everything
   else is, in my opinion, sub-par for Queensryche. Damaged is my
   favorite song on the album; I can listen to it over and over without
   getting tired of it. If they had released an EP with just those three
   songs on it, it would probably be my favorite Queensryche album; as it
   stands now, this is one of my least favorite Queensryche albums. I
   rate the albums in this order:
   1. Operation: Mindcrime
   2. The Warning
   3. Rage For Order
   4. Empire
   5. The EP
   6. Promised Land
   
   I have been listening to Queensryche ever since The Warning came out,
   so I tend to like the music that has some metal in it. All of this
   soft acoustic ballad music is okay for a song or two an album, but
   they have overdone it on Promised Land. Here's my opinion on some of
   the songs:
   
   9:28 AM is a complete waste of time. I am getting sick of all this
   sampling musicians are putting into music nowadays. It's okay when
   used sparingly, but Queensryche and Dream Theater both put too many
   samples on their latest albums for my taste. The sampling and sound
   bytes on Mindcrime were done to perfection, they actually helped add
   to the meaning of the songs. I don't care for I Am I song too much. It
   has a weird rhythm that I just can't get into. There seems to be
   nothing really special about this song; nothing really stands out
   other than the weird rhythm. I can't believe they released this as the
   first single.
   
   Damaged is my favorite song on the disc. They use a basic speed metal
   riff for the verses which is where all the cries of Metallica ripoff
   come from, but I think it is closer to a Nuclear Assault riff,
   although there are many speed metal riffs that sound very similar to
   this. This song has excellent vocals, tempo changes, the speed metal
   riff, a heavy guitar sound, and a drum line that drives the song - all
   of the things that I think make up good metal. Out of Mind is an
   acoustic ballad, but not too bad actually. Bridge should have been the
   first single off the album. A very good acoustic song that is very
   easy to listen to for non-diehard Queensryche fans.
   
   Promised Land sounds like heavy Pink Floyd to me. Once again the heavy
   guitars are here along with a nice little keyboard riff and a very
   heavy drum line and a lot of background noise and sounds that add to
   the dark mood of the song. This is my second favorite song on the
   album. Disconnected is, in my opinion, the worst song Queensryche has
   ever done. This is not even close to a "normal" Queensryche song.
   Geoff doesn't even sing, he's mostly just talking, almost rapping. The
   bass line is funky, but Queensryche is not a funk band. The guitars
   just don't seem to fit too well with the rest of the song. I really
   can't believe that Queensryche would put out a song like this. If they
   want to expand their horizons and break new ground, this is not the
   way to go.
   
   I don't listen to any David Bowie or the Beatles but Lady Jane sounds
   exactly like the Beatles could have done it. If the Beatles were still
   around today, maybe they would sound something like this. It's an okay
   song, but not heavy enough for me. My Global Mind is a very mediocre
   song. I really don't care for this one at all. Someone Else is an okay
   song, but I don't think it's nearly as good as everybody claims it is.
   I think if the piano line was a little more complex and the song built
   up to a climax at the end, like Space-Dye Vest, it would have been
   better.
   
   Overall, if I was grading this album based upon other Queensryche
   albums, I would have to give it a D-minus. When comparing it to other
   band's albums, it would probably get a C-minus. What really disgusts
   me about the new album, is that after three or four years, all they
   give us is 38 minutes of music. I think Queensryche reached their peak
   with Mindcrime and that everything else is going to be a letdown after
   that. However, after Promised Land, there's really not too much
   farther down that they can go, so I expect a better album from them
   next time. I am hoping for Mindcrime 2 as their next album. I think
   they may have lost the commercial status they gained with Empire and
   so maybe they'll give us older fans a treat and go back to a style, or
   come up with, a style that is a combination of Warning, Rage, and
   Mindcrime and forget all of this unplugged, ballad and funk crap.
   
   Promised Land Views - Rowan (ginseng@yoyo.cc.monash.edu.au)
   
   Well, I bought Promised Land a few weeks back (it appears that it's
   been released in the US for a long time, but it only just showed up at
   my local CD store), and you should have seen the backflip I did when I
   found the new CD on the rack! Phew. I wasn't expecting it, so I was
   pretty happy. It's an awesome CD too. Not as good as Mindcrime, but I
   doubt anything will ever beat that. But it does come a close second in
   my opinion, followed by The Warning. I have the original Queensryche
   too, but I haven't got Rage yet. I've tried to order it numerous times
   in the last few years, but it's never come through. I ordered it again
   today, and she said if it does arrive, it won't be for a couple of
   months. Bah! Oh well, I really want it, so I can wait.
   
   In case you hadn't picked it, Queensryche is my favorite band.
   Mindcrime was the first I heard, years back now, and I remember
   being totally drawn into the storyline. I loved Empire when it came
   out, but Mindcrime was always my favorite. The thing about Mindcrime
   and Promised Land is that there is not a bogus song on them. Each
   song is a dead set classic, so I find it really hard to pick a
   highlight. For the overall feel, and very original concept, I'd
   probably pick Out Of Mind. What I think makes Queensryche work so well
   is the way every song feels "whole" rather than just a showcase of
   singing, or nice guitar work. Listening to Promised Land you can
   really hear this - everything blends in together, and nothing seems
   added just for the hell of it.
   
   I heard a rumor that Promised Land is actually a continuation of the
   Mindcrime story - is it true? Parts do allude to that - the asylum
   for one - but overall I didn't think so. But I haven't read through
   the lyrics fully yet.
   
   Promised Land Views - Mystii (mystii@wam.umd.edu)
   
   I was promised Promised Land for Christmas. It was a long wait, but at
   least I've managed to the listen to the whole thing a few times. It's
   been hard for me to listen without preconceived notions due to
   everyone's discussion of the the album before I got a chance to listen
   to it. It was nice to read the reviews and hear the opinions - I
   especially like the way the Tampa review referred to Bridge as
   "voyeuristic." At the same time, when I read this, I was expecting to
   hear Chris sing. But in relating personal experiences, actually
   talking or singing about it is very difficult, since you're sitting
   there fighting emotions so that you can still remain comprehensible,
   or you're more like me and have too much pride to want to allow any
   emotions to show.
   
   I like the album as a whole. I remember seeing a part of the I am I
   video and liking it. The album is definitely different, but definitely
   them. Eddie Jackson just has this way of making his bass purr and I
   love it! Geoff's voice is incredibly unique, and, I don't think I need
   to continue. I don't have too much to say about I Am I, except that I
   like it.
   
   The guitar part in Damaged during the lines, "Mother Mary in control,
   domineering stranglehold, sowing destructive seeds for the scavengers
   to feed, driving the nail into my head, memory flows like a river," is
   almost exactly the same as in Wherever I May Roam. I happen to like
   the tune, and I happen to love early Metallica, with that classical
   guitar work interspersed throughout songs. I'm not sure if I'd call it
   a "ripoff" or not. Maybe it is, maybe it isn't, is that a problem?
   
   I haven't really listened to Out of Mind enough for it to strike me. I
   just like the way it sounds. The same applies for a large number of
   tunes on this album. The entire album seems to have a lot more
   atmosphere and space then the previous ones.
   
   Bridge is one of the two tunes that really jumps out at me. When I saw
   the title, I couldn't help thinking of George Harrison's tune Badge.
   Someone mentioned leaving off the "dad" in the verse. My guess is that
   it's in there because the writer wants to specify who he's talking to.
   This is definitely written for the writer himself; I suppose one could
   call it a sort of exorcism. And I figure that this could be something
   that the author would like to "get off his chest," and perhaps the
   intended party will have a listen to this as well. I think the whole
   issue of fathers not being responsible for their young (until it may
   seem profitable) is something that needs to be addressed (I read here
   that Shaq is dealing with a similar situation). I'd probably like it
   just as much without it, but I can't say for sure. I know it affected
   me quite a bit because I had a dream a few nights ago, and that song
   was playing in the dream.
   
   Someone Else? really hit me over the head as well. It's just so damned
   ethereal and it's awesome. I think this one is a prime example of
   using sound to evoke a mood. Very few songs do this successfully for
   me so it's always nice to find another song that will do that. I don't
   think I would want to hear it "orchestrated" any other way, but if it
   can match the original or surpass it, that would be an awesome thing
   to see.
   
   There are tunes on here that are so vaguely familiar. It's the "it
   reminds me of something that I can't put my finger on" treatment. But
   then again I have deja-vu experiences at least three times a week, and
   it gets to be really annoying. I hope this doesn't ruin it for anyone
   else who was waiting to get Promised Land as a Christmas present.
   After I listened to the album, I realized that I probably should have
   avoided the digest until I listened to it and formed my own opinion. I
   had to try really hard to be unbiased.
   
   
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The Killing Words - Interpretation

   Rage Interpretations - Michael (mcph@sparc.ncpa.olemiss.edu)
   
   I don't see anything specific in the lyrics of Gonna Get Close To You
   that lends itself to a vampiric interpretation. However, the video for
   the song makes it very clear that that is nonetheless a valid
   interpretation. For those who haven't seen the video, it involves
   Geoff stalking a very beautiful woman. The video is very gothic
   looking and Geoff is made up to look vampiric. The whole thing seems
   to suggest to me that Geoff is a vampire who is stalking this woman.
   In the end he catches up to her, but as he looks in the mirror he sees
   his reflection but not hers! He turns and her eyes are glowing, so it
   would seem that perhaps it was her stalking him all along. It's
   definitely a cool video.
   
   Rage Interpretations - Phil (phil@nucsun1.sjsu.edu)
   
   In last week's issue I saw numerous articles regarding vampiric
   interpretations of some of the songs from Rage for Order. I have been
   listening to Rage since it was released and never came close to
   interpreting the songs that way. Rage is the ultimate recording
   Queensryche has done and I feel the interpretations, while original,
   are way off. I think too many people have been reading Ann Rice or
   Bram Stoker lately.
   
   Rage Interpretations - Paul (tsbileci@music.loyno.edu)
   
   Though the song Gonna Get Close to You really is about stalking, it
   does have a bit of a vampiric tone. It's not obvious in the song,
   but it's pretty noticeable in the video. The weird thing is that the
   girl that is being stalked is the vampire! In the video, there's a
   shot of the mirror showing Geoff and the girl, but you can't see the
   girl's reflection in the mirror! And at the end of the video, her eyes
   light up. The video was played on last year's Halloween Headbanger's
   Ball.
   
   Rage Interpretations - John (jaegard@flash.lakeheadu.ca)
   
   I found Christopher's comments about the "true" theme of Rage For
   Order extremely interesting, because once upon a time I was certain
   that there was a story about computer-directed assassins lurking
   underneath its pristine production. I was so convinced that I actually
   tried to write a story based on my interpretation of Rage. After I'd
   completed my outline, I looked at it and thought, "hey, this looks
   like a cheap Mindcrime ripoff." The images I got from the album were
   way too strong to be discarded, so I started over. This time I was
   determined to be true to the story, and not to the source material.
   
   I did finish the story and called it Rage. There are a lot of moments
   in it that directly correspond to moments off the album. I Dream In
   Infrared was a treat to write to, as was Screaming In Digital. It is
   set in the London of a distant future, and does involve some vaguely
   defined computer plot. There is also a scene that was inspired by The
   Killing Words, but doesn't really correspond to anything in the
   lyrics. If you'd like to read this little bit of 'Ryche-inspired
   madness, please e-mail me, and I'll get it to you.
   
   Rage Interpretations - Jared (rogersj@tpd.eds.com)
   
   Recently there have been many discussions about the theme of Rage for
   Order. I think the theme is a mix between vampires and a political
   outcry. One possibility for an overall theme could be a vampire who
   has lived through the centuries, is observing where we stand now as
   far as society goes, and also touching on where we are going. He mixes
   these together with thoughts of his own existence, telling of
   obsession and love mixed with pain and fear. These emotions are
   evident in I Dream in Infrared, Walk in the Shadows, and most
   importantly London. This song seems to sum up his feelings about
   himself and the things he does, in the words "Sometimes I wish I could
   have taken your place my love. No I don't want to live forever." As
   far as Gonna Get Close to You goes, this song was not even written by
   Queensryche and in my opinion has no bearing on the theme of the CD.
   
   
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Anybody Listening? - Advertisements

   Bootleg Trades Wanted - Darrell (09995612@wsuvm1.csc.wsu.edu)
   
   I am interested in trading Queensryche bootlegs. So far I have an
   unplugged bootleg from Queensryche, and several from other bands.
   
   Suite Sister Mary Tablature Wanted - Jason (ejromero@vax1.acs.jmu.edu)
   
   Does anybody know where I can get a transcription - with bassline,
   without the chant - of Suite Sister Mary?
   
   Promised Land Tablature Wanted - Rowan (ginseng@yoyo.cc.monash.edu.au)
   
   Does anyone know of any tablature books for Queensryche music,
   particularly for Promised Land?
   
   Ride to German Show Wanted - Tobias (te@syrinx.franken.de)
   
   Is anybody going to drive to the Neu-Isenburg concert from Bavaria on
   February 22, 1995? Please e-mail me.
   
   
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   That's all for this week - unless Tina gives me some really
   late-breaking news tomorrow.
   
   'Ryche on,
          -Shag