Artist: Queensryche
Label: EMI/Capitol
Release Date: 1986
Rating: 5 Skulls
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Title: Rage For Order Artist: Queensryche Label: EMI/Capitol Release Date: 1986
Rating: 5 Skulls |
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Reviewed by Solomon:
Two years before Seattle's Finest created what was to become official metal Scripture, there was an odd little record called Rage For Order. Slicker than The Warning but not as musically devastating as Operation: Mindcrime, Rage For Order saw the band go for a more modern approach, incorporating futuristic elements and a new wardrobe that made them look more like the spawn of Duran Duran than Iron Maiden. I'm not exactly sure who they were trying to impress with those getups, but apparently it was only a brief experiment in metal fashion. Supposedly, the band was steeped in the blood-sucker fiction of Anne Rice before it was hip, hence the dark atmosphere of much of the record, particularly the song and video for "Gonna Get Close To You." This was actually a cover of a tune by Canadian dance diva Lisa Dal Bello, and how these people hooked up, I'll never know.I call Rage "odd" because that's what it was and still is: a weird (but tasty) album. The classic "chugga-chugga" metal influence is still present, along with Scott Rockenfield's entertaining drum dynamics on standout material like "Walk In The Shadows" and "The Whisper," but the addition of sound effects of all sorts ("Screaming In Digital," "Neue Regel") and the polished, non-abrasive guitar riffing of Chris DeGarmo and Michael Wilton make this collection a unqiue "progressive" metal experience altogether. Of course, "Gonna Get Close To You" is a moment in and of itself: one of the most blatant attempts by a metal band to assimilate 80's new wave/pop tendencies until Orgy showed up. The linear, droning guitar line and whispered, vampiric lyrics make for a very creepy track, indeed. There are other goodies, as well. "London" has a great verse with soft vocals and subtle, clean guitar strumming. "Screaming In Digital" has one of those dramatic "choruses to die for," and closer "I Will Remember" is a gothic tear-jerker if I ever heard one (nice Latin guitar touch, too).
It's difficult not to compare every 'Ryche release to the mighty Mindcrime, but Rage is a classy, well-conceived album, and it's a much better prequel to genius than some others I could mention (ahem). So, put on a ruffled shirt, come sit by the fire and take in the sounds, but don't drink any... wine.
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