On August 12, 1983 "Queensrÿche" released "Queensrÿche EP".
This release marks the official debut of one of progressive metal's most influential bands. Despite being only a four-track release (in its original release) and more heavy metal oriented, this EP showcases the band's early potential and offers a glimpse into the sound that would define their career.
"Queensrÿche's" origins trace back to the late 1970s in Bellevue, Washington, when guitarist Michael Wilton formed the band "Joker", which later included guitarist Chris DeGarmo. In 1980, Wilton and drummer Scott Rockenfield started "Cross+Fire", covering songs by "Iron Maiden" and "Judas Priest" while practicing in Rockenfield's garage, known as "The Dungeon." DeGarmo and bassist Eddie Jackson joined, and the band was renamed "The Mob" after the "Black Sabbath" song "The Mob Rules." They recruited Geoff Tate from "Babylon" to sing for a local rock festival. Although Tate left initially, he returned in 1981 to help record a demo with the band, which included four tracks That eventually will form this EP: "Queen of the Reich," "Nightrider," "Blinded," and "The Lady Wore Black."
After a year of being rejected by record labels, the band, managed by Kim and Diana Harris of "Easy Street Records", decided to change their name to "Queensrÿche", inspired by the song "Queen of the Reich," with the spelling modified to avoid Nazi associations. The band gained significant attention after their demo was reviewed by "Kerrang!" magazine, leading to the release of this historical EP.
The EP opens up with "Queen of the Reich" a powerful anthem that immediately establishes "Queensrÿche's" identity. With Geoff Tate's soaring vocals, driving riffs from Chris DeGarmo and Michael Wilton, and Scott Rockenfield's intense drumming, the song is a high-energy introduction that has since become a fan favorite. The influence of bands like "Iron Maiden" is evident, yet "Queensrÿche" manages to bring their own unique style, blending heavy metal with a hint of the progressive elements they would later expand upon. The band issued a video clip for the song which was included in "Kerrang!" VHS video collection and drew much attention to this new emerging band.
The second track "Nightrider" continues the EP's momentum with its galloping rhythm and dark lyrics. The dual guitar work is particularly strong here, creating a complex, layered sound that would become one of the band's trademarks. Starting with the Rob Halford-like scream at 0:28 Tate's vocal range is again on full display, reinforcing his reputation as one of the era's most dynamic frontmen.
The follow-up track "Blinded" introduces more of the band's progressive tendencies, with time signature changes and intricate guitar solos, some of which reminded us of "Mercyful Fate's" style. "Blinded" is a standout for its ambitious structure, hinting at the more complex compositions that would characterize their later work. The lyrics delve into themes of perception and reality, a precursor to the conceptual storytelling that would define albums like "Operation: Mindcrime".
Closing out the EP is "The Lady Wore Black" a slower, more atmospheric track that showcases the band's versatility. The song's haunting melody and introspective lyrics contrast with the EP's more aggressive tracks, adding depth to the overall sound. It's a perfect example of "Queensrÿche's" ability to blend emotion with technical proficiency. This was the only track on the EP which Tate co-wrote with the band. He was asked to join the band for the recording sessions, and in the same week wrote the lyrics to one unfinished song, which became "The Lady Wore Black". Interestingly, A live (and much better in our opinion) version of the song could be found on the band's debut album "The Warning" 2003 reissue.
This EP was initially self-released on "206 Records" but quickly gained traction, leading to a deal with EMI. It set the stage for "Queensrÿche's" future success, demonstrating their potential to break into the mainstream metal scene. The EP's success eventually convinced Tate to leave his other band, "Myth", and join "Queensrÿche" as their permanent lead singer. The "Queensrÿche EP" is not just a collection of songs but a statement of intent, showing a young band ready to push the boundaries of heavy metal.
In 2005, "Queensrÿche EP" was ranked number 336 in Rock Hard magazine's book of The 500 Greatest Rock & Metal Albums of All Time.
For Listening: Spotify, Apple Music
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