Album review: Queensrÿche, Empire (1990)

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, OCT. 4, 1990 By Steve Newton It looks like studio giant Little Mountain Sound might be getting a wee bit of local competition as far as attracting the world’s best bands to this city is concerned. Vancouver Studios was the locale that Seattle hard-rockers Queensryche chose to record their … Continue reading Album review: Queensrÿche, Empire (1990)

Queensrÿche’s Geoff Tate give kudos to Maiden, Priest, and Sabbath (with Dio)

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 14, 2000 By Steve Newton At the big metal show slated for the Pacific Coliseum on Wednesday (September 20), Seattle hard-rockers Queensrÿche will perform between openers Halford—featuring former Judas Priest screamer Rob Halford—and headliners Iron Maiden. You could say that it’s a return to the band’s roots, somewhat, because as a … Continue reading Queensrÿche’s Geoff Tate give kudos to Maiden, Priest, and Sabbath (with Dio)

Lars Ulrich denies that Grammy “loser” Metallica is mellowing out with …And Justice For All

By Steve Newton On May 31, 1989, Metallica played Vancouver's Pacific Coliseum on a bill with the Cult. This was just three months after the band had its expected Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance stolen away by Jethro Tull--whose Crest of a Knave album somehow beat out Metallica's mighty ...And Justice for All--and metal … Continue reading Lars Ulrich denies that Grammy “loser” Metallica is mellowing out with …And Justice For All

Queensrÿche’s Geoff Tate praises the “real musicians” of prog-rock

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON DEC. 19, 1991 By Steve Newton When it comes to progressive rock bands from the ’70s, there’s no middle ground—people either love ’em or hate ’em. Fans of groups like Yes, King Crimson, and Genesis point to the musical skill involved in performing the tunes; detractors tend to cite the “pomposity” of … Continue reading Queensrÿche’s Geoff Tate praises the “real musicians” of prog-rock

Annihilator’s Jeff Waters is getting into the “old hard-rock stuff” again

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 15, 1990 By Steve Newton Despite the fact that this city is home to Annihilator—one of the most promising young bands in metal—Vancouver has yet to prove itself as a world-class heavy metal town. Aside from Annihilator, there hasn’t been a successful metal recording act out of this city since Kick … Continue reading Annihilator’s Jeff Waters is getting into the “old hard-rock stuff” again