Queensrÿche and Slaughter

Before the original members of Queensrÿche formed their band they were all in several different metal bands that were influenced by such artists as Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, and Iron Maiden. After some of the members’ bands started to dissolve, vocalist Geoff Tate, guitarists Chris DeGarmo and Michael Wilton, bassist Eddie Jackson, and drummer Scott Rockenfield formed a band called The Mob, but soon changed their name to Queensrÿche after their song “Queen of the Reich”, which was on the band’s demo tape. The band’s demo tape made it to “Kerrang!” magazine and received a great review from the publication. This review led to Queensrÿche releasing the demo as a self-titled EP in 1983. The EP sold significantly well for an independent release and received much airplay over the radios.

In the summer of 1983 the band signed a record contract with EMI and headed on several high profile tours with bands like Quiet Riot, Twisted Sister, and Dio. The band traveled to London, UK to record their first album “The Warning”, which came out in 1984. The producer James Guthrie, who has notably worked with Judas Priest and Pink Floyd, produced the album for the band. Their debut album did fairly well on the Billboard charts reaching the No. 61 position.

By the release of the band’s 1986 album “Rage for Order” they had undertaken a more glam rock appearance due to the suggestion from their record label, but their sound headed in a more progressive rock direction, which incorporated the use of synthesizers in their heavy metal mix. The lyrics in the album also conveyed themes about artificial intelligence and technological ideas.

In 1988 the band released one of their most critically and commercially successful albums to date, “Operation: Mindcrime”. The album is a concept album that is regarded as one of the best concept albums of all time, and has been ranked by “Kerrang!” as one of the best heavy metal albums of all time. The album reached the No. 50 position on the Billboard 200 chart and was later certified platinum by RIAA. The album contained the singles “Eyes of a Stranger/Queen of the Reich”, “Revolution Calling”, and “I Don’t Believe in Love/The Needle Lies”. The song “I Don’t Believe in Love” was nominated for a Grammy Award for “Best Metal Performance”. The band’s next album “Empire”, which came out in 1990 was even more successful than “Operation: Mindcrime”. The album reached the No. 7 position on the Billboard 200 chart and has become 3x platinum. The album contained the power ballad “Silent Lucidity” that was nominated for a Grammy Award.

Although the band has had a few lineup changes and has experimented with different genres such as grunge, the band still regularly releases quality albums. The lineup after the 2012 departure of lead singer Geoff Tate consists of the members: Michael Wilton, Eddie Jackson, Scott Rockenfield, Parker Lundgren, and Todd La Torre. Queensrÿche are avid performers and tour consistently. They have played notable venues like Madison Square Garden and have toured with the likes of Iron Maiden, Kiss, Metallica, and Def Leppard.

Rising out of the ashes of Vinnie Vincent Invasion, members Mark Slaughter (lead vocals/rhythm guitar) and Dana Strum (bass) brought in Tim Kelly (lead guitar) and Blas Elias (drums) to form Slaughter in 1988. The band quickly got to work developing their sound, fusing catchy pop melodies with their driving metal in the hope that they could find crossover appeal between rock fans and pop fans alike.

Success was not long awaited for Slaughter, with their debut album becoming a huge breakthrough hit. Bolstered by three hit singles, “Fly to the Angels,” “Up All Night” and “Spend My Life,” the debut recording went on to be certified double-Platinum in the US. Having been requested by Orion Pictures, the band then recorded the single “Shout it Out,” which appeared in the film, “Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey,” gaining heavy airplay and finding new fans from this exposure.

Their second effort, “The Wild Life,” appeared in 1992, achieving moderate success through the hit, “Real Love,” becoming certified Gold. Plans to return to the studio for a third album were set back by Kelly’s arrest for drug trafficking, as well as a motorcycle accident that prevented Strum from being gable to play due to his injuries. The album was finally completed in 1994 but by then it was released upon a changing musical market and the band were soon dropped from their label.

Signing to CMC Records, they returned with 1995’s “Fear No Evil,” a commercial failure in the US but the band had found a huge market in Japan. After releasing 1997’s “Revolution,” a more psychedelic affair, the band were struck with tragedy, following the sudden death of guitarist Kelly. Despite being deeply affected by the loss, Slaughter continued, releasing 199’s “Back to Reality,” which found commercial success once again through a number of successful singles.

Whilst not returning to the studio, the band have since toured extensively alongside the likes of Mötley Crüe member Vince Neil, Skid Row, Quiet Riot and Firehouse amongst others, helping to keep the hair metal fandom alive.