The most important addition to the 2010 edition of this mini-concept album is the second disc, a 10-song live set recorded November 15, 1990, in London, England.
Queensryche brought the album to life at this show, and also threw in a few oldies, including two from 1984 debut album The Warning (the excellent, heavy metal show closer "Take Hold of the Flame" and the prog metal of "Roads To Madness") and "Walk In The Shadows" from 1986's Rage for Order.
The band played a tight, one-hour set, with guitars that had a distorted tone somewhat similar to that of Faith No More. And Tate's demanding vocals soared above his band just fine—he can be forgiven if he sounded a bit flat at times, like on "Hand On Heart." And cuts like "Silent Lucidity" got extra color, with a chorus effect having been added to the acoustic guitar parts, as just one example.
Overall, I highly recommend the 20th anniversary edition of Empire to those Queensryche fans who have the original CD or tape but who missed out on the 2003 remastered edition, as those who do already have it don't need to buy the $20 2010 edition again just for the 10 live tracks, artwork and other aforementioned goodies in this expanded edition.
But to those hard rock and metal fans who never bought this classic album in the first place, first of all, you missed out big time. Now's your chance to get caught up with this, the most attractive and ultimate package of Empire you're likely to ever come across.
Article comments
1 - Keith98058
Empire was one of their worst albums for me.. Operation Mindcrime was the "epic" one with the entire album flowing into a story and great music with the storyline Videos as well.
2 - charlie doherty
Empire can never be the worst for me, but you may very well be right about Operation: Mindcrime being more "epic" in scope than their other albums, Empire included. I still love both albums, though.
3 - AC
RU nuts? Mindcrime was their best work. Later stuff never came close (not that it was bad, it just wasn't as good).