TOTAL ORDER TOTAL ORDER VOL 14 | Page 44

REVIEWS QUEENSRYCHE LIVE: ROCKS NJ WITH FLAWLESS, ENERGETC SET Review and Photography by Kimberly Ann Atlantic City is where people come to play and have a great time. One night in October, AC found its rock and roll roots again. In a town where crooners and pop stars seem to be the soup dejour, classic rock and metal band seems to have less of a place among the masses. Then, someone has the idea of putting together a show that has two heavyweights from the rock and metal heyday, re- tooled and already wreaking havoc across stages of the world. This show was no exception. From opening thunder to the last cymbal crash, notice had been served, metal was indeed back. After a very short intermission, the stage dawned in the classic purple and pink stage lights so prevalent to the bands brand- ing in the early days, (See debut EP and Warning for further details). Surprisingly though, they open with “Guardian” one of the tracks of the latest release “Condition Human”. Which is pretty gutsy move with die hard fans clamoring from some- thing old school for sure. Then.....“Ring, Ring” and all the fans know it is time to revisit some music off of their most famous release “Operation Mindcrime” as they launch into the title track. The entire band is in top form. It however, took a few minutes to realize that Scott Rockenfield wasn’t behind the kit (currently on paternity leave with new born) but Casey Grillo from the band Kamelot, who does a more than admirable job filling his shoes. Todd LaTorre (Crimson Glory) has been a breath of fresh air to a set list that 7-10 years ago had been going a bit stale with its former lead singer. This is the Queenryche the fans know and love, the sonic delivery has come full circle, especially on cuts like “Damaged” and “Empire” A huge surprise on this tour was the addition on the little known track “The Mission” from Mindcrime. After an high octane set with an array of tracks from the classic albums, out of nowhere comes the Rage for Order fav” “Screaming In Digital”. We are all transported back to 86 and it all seems new and right again. For this night, rock once again has taken its rightful place as the heartbeat of rebellion through one of the toughest road warriors that has ever been, Queensryche, the working band. ZP THEART REVIVES CLASSIC SKID ROW! If you haven’t noticed, Skid Row is getting alot of extra press lately. They are currently back in the studio and leading the vocal charge is the great ZP Theart (Dragonforce). He has been touring with them over the past 20 months and the band made him an official member as of this past December. A move that has ZP energized and breathing new life into the band from New Jersey. TOTAL ORDER MAGAZINE, DECEMBER 2017 Page 45