I’ve rarely ever witnessed a more perfect concert performance. I’ve seen Queensryche live a number of times since the late 80s, and this 2022 show at the Arizona Federal Theatre was their best outing yet. They only had about a half-hour, but they made every minute count, taking deep cut fan favorite songs from their first four albums, plus the debut EP. “NM 156” live is such a canny concert selection; it never fails to give me chills.
All that said - - their latest album, “The Verdict,” is really good. Earlier in the tour, they’d played one or two of these newer tracks, but these seem to have been cut from the setlist in favor of older material. While of course, I’m emotionally connected to the ‘Ryche classics of my formative years, I still would have been fine with something like “Blood of the Levant” making an appearance.
Eddie Jackson and Michael Wilton are the last of the founding members, and both are ageless, incredible performers. Michael’s low-key stage presence and precision lead playing are as sharp as ever. Eddie covered most of the backing vocals, revealing himself as Queensryche’s secret voice weapon, behind the two legends who’ve sung lead for this band.
Which brings us to Todd LaTorre.
Whether it’s a club or a concert theater, he owns the room. Goddamn. The energy he brings to the material is perfect. Queensryche’s music has always been cerebral, intelligent, and melodic, but he pulls all of the heavy intensity out of every song, and imbues that enthusiasm to the crowd. All hail the vocal work that original singer Geoff Tate did during his time in this band, but Todd LaTorre’s time has come. He deserves all of the accolades and recognition. With every show, this band is converting skeptics and silencing the “It’s not Queensryche without Geoff, Chris, Scott, etc.” chatter.
And what of the headliners?
Judas Priest are legend. We’re all privileged to have been able to see and hear their music live and as their albums were newly released. The “50 Heavy Metal Years” setlist was a bit more career-spanning than their usual, with tunes from 1974’s “Rocka Rolla” all the way through 2018’s “Firepower” albums. We were fortunate at the Phoenix, AZ gig to get Glenn Tipton onstage with Richie Faulkner and Andy Sneap for the “British Steel” classics in the encore. Richie Faulkner has the look, the chops, and the guitar sound to hold his own in this iconic band. Of course every old-timer fan wants to see K.K. and Glenn up there, but Richie and Andy do an admirable job filling their shoes. Thank the Metal Gods for them both.
Rob Halford is 70, but he still brings the vocal thunder. He still shrieks like he did 30 years ago, still does the costume changes, still rides the chopper out for “Hell Bent For Leather,” still brings it. We’ll take him for as long as he can do this and remain healthy, but we’ll also hold him in honor and respect if/when he does eventually ride his bike off into the desert sunset. He could walk away now and hold his head up proudly as the Metal God.
That day doesn’t appear to be coming any time soon, however. Their final graphic stated that “The Priest Will Be Back.” So will the fans.
Set highlights were definitely “Diamonds and Rust,” “Victim of Changes,” “The Sentinel,” and Scott Travis’s drum masterpiece, “Painkiller.”
Queensryche Setlist:
Queen of the Reich
Warning
En Force
NM 156
Empire
Walk in the Shadows
The Whisper
Operation: Mindcrime
The Needle Lies
Take Hold of the Flame
Screaming in Digital
Eyes of a Stranger
Judas Priest Setlist:
One Shot at Glory
Lightning Strike
You've Got Another Thing Comin'
Freewheel Burning
Turbo Lover
Hell Patrol
The Sentinel
A Touch of Evil
Rocka Rolla
Victim of Changes
Desert Plains
Blood Red Skies
Diamonds & Rust
(Joan Baez cover)
Painkiller
Encore:
The Hellion
Electric Eye
Hell Bent for Leather
Metal Gods
Breaking the Law
Living After Midnight
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