Rage for Order

Queensrÿche – Digital Noise Alliance Review

By Steel Druhm on October 6, 2022 in Reviews, Heavy Metal, Progressive Metal, 69 comments

“A new Queensrÿche platter almost mandates a look back at the many peaks and valleys the band traversed over their long career. Early releases like their eponymous EP and The Warning were timeless pieces of traditional metal. They created what is arguably the best metal concept album of all time with Operation: Mindcrime, and they had major commercial success with Mindcrime and Empire without having to “sell out.” Lean years followed as Geoff Tate and company drifted into drab alt-rock (Hear in the Now Frontier, Q2K), then came the trend hopping (Tribe), and finally, phoning it in (Operation: Mindcrime II).” God save the Queensrÿche!

Retro-spective Review: Wicked Maraya – Cycles

By Steel Druhm on August 6, 2013 in American Metal, Heavy Metal, Progressive Metal, Retro Reviews, Heavy Metal, Progressive Metal, 6 comments

“When I do these little retro-reviews, I try to find albums that really had a lot to offer, but somehow never caught the public’s attention. Be it bad marketing, poor timing or short band life, there’s always a reason why a high-quality album slips through the cracks into oblivion. Perhaps no better example exists than Wicked Maraya and their debut album Cycles. Steel Druhm’s clinical diagnosis here is one of terminally poor timing. While Cycles sported a winning and catchy-as-fuck traditional heavy metal sound that strikes me as a darker, edgier, more proggy Queensryche mixed with Crimson Glory and Nevermore, it arrived at the very height of the Seattle grudge explosion where everything metal was forced back underground after a decade of prominence and popularity.” More goodies from the vault? Steel Druhm is in a giving mode to be sure. Ignore the terrible band name and awful album cover and let’s all focus on what counts: the music!

Queensrÿche – Queensrÿche Review

By Dr. Fisting on June 13, 2013 in 2013, 4.0, Century Media, Rating, Uncategorized, 18 comments

“There is so much back story behind Queensrÿche’s new self-titled record that I can’t even scratch the surface in this review. I suggest reading this first. In a nutshell, there are currently two bands bearing the name Queensrÿche — one made up of ex-singer/asshole Geoff Tate and some hired help, and the other consisting of most of QR’s original lineup and new vocalist Todd LaTorre (ex-Crimson Glöry). This review refers to the latter version of the band.” Mr. Fisting is our resident QR/Geoff Tate gossip columnist and overall fanboy and he’s been waiting a long time for this bad boy. Can it resurrect the glory of this once proud band? Can we avoid mocking Mr. Tate? Only the needle knows….

Ghost – Infestissumam Review

By Steel Druhm on April 24, 2013 in 2.0, 2013, Heavy Metal, Loma Vista Recordings, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Heavy Metal, 54 comments

“Like many others in the metalverse, Steel Druhm got caught up in the hype surrounding the strangely addictive pope-isms of mysterious cult rockers Ghost and their stellar debut Opus Eponymous. They had a wicked sound, a cool, throwback charm and the tunes were as catchy as athlete’s foot. While there was a nagging worry they might be a one-off novelty act and would fold up shop like a fly-by-night carnival, I was anxious to get my hands on the not so long-awaited followup, Infestissumam. After some time with the album and after giving this serious thought, I’ve come to the conclusion that Opus Eponymous was their version of The Warning, and Infestissumam is their attempt at a Rage for Order. While Queensryche was able to make the jump from a straight-forward metal album to a more cerebral, progressive sound due to elbow grease, spit (courtesy of Mr. Tate) and sheer talent, Ghost is not quite so lucky.” Ghost blew away the metal world with their debut, but Steel Druhm thinks they may be haunted by their own early success. Join him as he goes Ghostbusting.

Retro-spective Review: Lethal – Programmed

By Steel Druhm on October 8, 2012 in American Metal, Heavy Metal, Metal Blade, Power Metal, Retro Reviews, Heavy Metal, Power Metal, 6 comments

We haven’t had a retro review for some time and Steel Druhm is here to fix that. Diving deep into the archives, he points an aproving finger at long forgotten, Queensryche-influenced rockers Lethal and their excellent debut, Programmed. With all the spit and shit flying between Geoff Tate and his former band, you’re gonna need this if you want a taste of good, old fashioned Ryche ‘n roll.

Lanfear – This Harmonic Consonance Review

By Steel Druhm on February 27, 2012 in 2012, 4.0, German Metal, Power Metal, Progressive Metal, Pure Steel Records, Reviews, Power Metal, Progressive Metal, 0 comments

Honesty in band promotion is about as common as happy, uplifting Finnish music. Despite this dire paucity, Lanfear keeps things refreshingly real. Their website bills them simply as “underrated metal” and I couldn’t agree more. These German prog-power champs have some impressive albums under their belts, but they aren’t as known or as appreciated as they should be. Herein, Steel Druhm dissects The Harmonic Consonance which is out worldwide now!