A DEGARMO-LESS QUEENSRYCHE IS NO QUEENSRYCHE AT ALL

I call bullshit. This new Queensryche song “If I Were King” — from the forthcoming album American Soldier (March 31st, Atco/Rhino) — sounds like a cheap imitation of the real Queensryche. It lacks balls, it’s cheesy, and Geoff Tate sounds like he’s going through puberty all over again. I suppose I loves me some Queensryche, but this just sucks. Even 2003’s Tribe was a decent record, probably because Chris DeGarmo came back into the fold to write and record it (though he bailed before the following tour). Operation: Mindcrime II was kind of a snoozefest, and now this… zzzzz.

Side note: premiering a new track on MP3.com? What is this, 1998?

-VN