Released by: Century Media
Release Date: October 7th, 2022
Genre: Metal
Links: http://www.queensrycheofficial.com/
Line Up:
Eddie Jackson – bass
Michael Wilton – guitar
Todd La Torre – vocals
Casey Grillo – drums
Mike Stone – guitar
Tracklist:
1. In Extremis
2. Chapters
3. Lost in Sorrow
4. Sicdeth
5. Behind the Walls
6. Nocturnal Light
7. Out of the Black
8. Forest
9. Realms
10. Hold On
11. Tormentum
12. Rebel Yell (Bonus Track)
© Julius Richardson
I understand that when a band changes a significant member (especially a singer) some people can’t (or won’t) move on. That’s OK. You don’t have to. No rule or requirement says if you don’t continue following that band it makes you any less of a fan (or any more of a fan if you keep following.) The fans (except the mental ones) and the band will understand. One of those bands that have caught quite a lot of ire since changing singers is Queensryche (and it’s been almost a decade now.) I’ll be the first to admit that initially, the addition of Todd LaTorre was a complete and total nostalgia sort of thing because he was able to perform older songs the band hadn’t played in ages. When they started making new music, the first couple of albums were good, but nothing that truly stood up to any of the classic material (though, frankly, it trounced most of the stuff post-Empire for me.) It wasn’t until The Verdict that the LaTorre song contributions started to feel more natural and started making the band sound more natural and less directionless. Would this continue?
© Robert Sutton
Well, we find that out with Digital Noise Alliance, the latest release from the band. Anyone that still insists on calling Toddreich a karaoke version of the band can stop now. This album solidifies the fact that Queensryche has found the perfect sound with Todd. While maintaining enough of their original style to still sound enough like classic Queensryche, they’ve achieved a new sound that is taking them further into the future and keeping them relevant for today’s metal fans. I loved The Verdict, but I think this one is even better. As the band strengthens with each new release and grows as a band with each new year, they will become even more of an unstoppable machine as time moves along.
There’s no pleasing everyone, so if you’re already pre-conditioned against this line-up, it’s doubtful this album will change your closed mind. But if you’re willing to give it a shot, Queensryche’s Digital Noise Alliance is a fantastic album that shows that you may lose what you think is a cornerstone of your band, but you can do more than survive, you can thrive.
Written by: Chris Martin
Ratings: 9/10
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