Queensryche guitarist Michael Wilton posted the following press release on his Facebook page:
With the Queensrÿche canvas wiped completely clean and the band’s easel the strongest and most stable it’s been in years, Eddie Jackson, Todd LaTorre, Parker Lundgren, Scott Rockenfield and Michael Wilton forge ahead to create yet another QR masterpiece. The band has already begun writing new material for the follow up to their critically acclaimed self-titled 2013 Century Media Records release, Queensrÿche. The new album is tentatively scheduled for release in early summer 2015.
“The Queensrÿche internal dynamic has certainly changed in terms of musicianship. It’s more of a cohesive team and the chemistry we have now is making what we can do creatively limitless. For Queensrÿche, it was always about being able to write together as a band. We didn’t have that for a long time but now that it’s back, we feel extremely liberated,” states founding guitarist Michael Wilton. “We’ve already begun the writing process for the next album and have a few songs demoed that we feel really good about. We’re taking the songs in the classic Queensrÿche direction but maybe a little more progressive and heavier at times. The thing is, you never know what you really have until it’s complete. We can’t wait for the final outcome. Writing with such a dynamic group of individuals has been nothing short of amazing.”
Queensrÿche recently reached a settlement in their dispute over the ownership of the Queensrÿche name and brand. Century Media is pleased to announce that Eddie Jackson, Scott Rockenfield and Michael Wilton have successfully agreed to purchase Geoff Tate’s portion of the Queensrÿche name. The band will buy out their former lead singer’s share of the Queensrÿche corporation while allowing him the ability to be the only one to perform Operation: Mindcrime and Operation: Mindcrime II in their entirety. He will no longer have use of the TriRyche logo or any other album images aside from the Mindcrime releases. He can only refer to himself as the “Original Lead Singer of Queensrÿche or “Formerly of Queensrÿche” for a period of two years and that text must be at least 50% smaller than his name in all materials. After this two year period passes, he can only refer to himself as Geoff Tate with no mention of Queensrÿche at all. Geoff Tate will be able to finish any confirmed dates billed for his Queensrÿche lineup scheduled to terminate on August 31st, 2014. As of September 1st, there will be only one Queensrÿche entity and that will consist of Eddie Jackson, Todd LaTorre, Parker Lundgren, Scott Rockenfield and Michael Wilton. This lineup will continue to perform selections from their entire musical catalog including songs from Operation: Mindcrime. The band will be able to use all TriRyche logos and previous album artwork for any purposes as needed by the corporation.
Queensrÿche is:
Todd La Torre – Vocals
Michael Wilton – Guitars
Parker Lundgren – Guitars
Eddie Jackson – Bass
Scott Rockenfield – Drums
15 Responses
Tate should have just bailed on these guys 25 years ago, he would have had all of the leverage. He should not do all star band thing, he should get a band that has chemistry, and that can sing. He should take his time, don’t be in such a rush. Don’t feel like this “Queensryche” is pressuring him to come out with something so fast. Take deep breaths, and plan this very carefully.
…bailed and taken DeGarmo with him.
Yeah, no shit DR, all of this pro-tools nonsense, it has really choked the life out music. All of that Frankensteining, everything ridiculously locked together, auto-tuned. You listen to metal now and it is too tight, and Priest’s classic albums they were tight, but there was still that human element. At least Paul and Gene stick to a pretty authentic recording methodology for their new albums. Whoops, I brought up Kiss again.
Hey Clown, did you like the Paul Stanley book? I enjoyed it very much. QUEENSRYCHE is finished and they left behind some great music. Without DeGarmo and now Tate, why bother? Not every band needs to soldier on. SHOK PARIS is actually back after a long hiatus. Look up ON YOUR FEET from the movie THE HIDDEN. Awesome lost classic.
I will in the next week or so…did see him at the Jewish center, when that guy brought up TMS, Paul said “the less said the better..” and was clearly annoyed. Thanks for the recommendation, I’ll check that out.