Ελληνικά
Last Updated on 12:41 PM by Lilliana Tseka
Genre: Progressive Metal
Label: Century Media Records
Country: U.S.A.
Year: 2015
Listening to the new Queensrÿche’s record soon after listening to «The Key» of Tate’s Operation: Mindcrime, you’ll come to your senses. From the very first melodic harmonies of «Arrow Of Time» you’re bound to hear the correct version of Queensrÿche and this time it’s here for good, because in the previous title album, things were handled somewhat hastily and under pressure of time and we didn’t have a complete picture (musically speaking).
In «Condition Hüman» the band show us its credentials with this charismatic man behind the microphone, Todd La Torre, the silent, honest hero and leader all these years, while Michael Wilton continues to compose and he so far has written some of the most important Queensrÿche’s songs. Of course, the rhythm section should not be overlooked, since the pillars of the band, Jackson and Rockenfield are here to work their magic.
The production was handled by Zeuss (Sanctuary, Soulfly, Hatebreed) and just as an old fan of the band and their first six albums (like most of us) he tried to transfer on the record a bit of the magic of these albums. He actually succeeded to a large extent, as well as he succeeded into forming one of the band’s heaviest albums in their history. Many things will come to your mind when you listen to the record, especially from the «Promised Land» and prior to it. That is the best record they’ve released since «Promised Land»; there’s no doubt about that.
It must be the first time when no one complains about the change in a band’s singer. No one is worried about that. Nobody has forgotten Tate, though Todd La Torre is more than a worthy replacement, which was proven in the previous album, and especially during the live performances he made with Queensrÿche. He transformed into Tate on stage with great convenience.
La Torre proved he can work wonders with Crimson Glory, too, and become Midnight we all missed. Too bad he isn’t a member of Crimson Glory (there’s Drenning in the way). A true chameleon that has impressive interpretations in «Condition Hüman» and doesn’t fall into the trap sounding like Tate. He puts his own seal with his personal style; he leaves his mark and satisfies everyone.
The old generation will likes songs like the first three «Arrow Of Time», «Guardian», «Hellfire», the «Hourglass» or the epic titletrack. And it will be a shame not to give a chance to these Rÿche, who wants to really offer music, now that the circumstances allow having in their ranks a capable and excellent singer. If not now, when?
4.5 / 6
