Face to Face

Queensryche

Formed in the early 1980s, Queensryche started their career sounding much like a junior version of Iron Maiden or Judas Priest. However, by the mid-'80s, the Seattle-based metal band had begun to form its own musical identity, culminating in 1988's OPERATION: MINDCRIME, a sprawling cinematic concept album that received widespread acclaim and led to international success. The group's follow-up, EMPIRE, featured catchy melodies and more straightforward songwriting, showcasing the vocals of frontman Geoff Tate and leading to an even wider audience, thanks in no little part to the unlikely top 10 hit lullaby "Silent Lucidity." In the late 1990s, Queensryche experienced a bit of a slump, largely due the departure of founding guitarist Chris DeGarmo, but in 2003, DeGarmo returned to record TRIBE.