Queensryche’s power metal at Ameristar Casino goes cash only

April 17, 2024

Andrew Dodderidge,

Queensryche. // photo by Andrew Dodderidge

I do not frequent metal shows. And I do not frequent casino shows. But this past Friday was a night where the two collided.

Taking I-435 on the way home, I was only able to think of these things to describe the entire experience:

It was a seated show in a ballroom—which means no free rein to roam, with a greater chance to be stuck behind someone obnoxious
All 15 songs played were written for another singer
There was no opener

It was the latter one that really got me. Arriving just a few minutes before the 8:30 p.m. start time, I was initially excited to not have to wait around for the main event, given how some shows drag everything out the in the most extensive way possible. But about midway through the EP/Warning run-through from progressive metal legends Queensryche, I noticed my excitement levels were just not quite there, with nothing to ponder over earlier in the night. One thing must be cemented, however, these songs fucking rule.

Queensryche. // photo by Andrew Dodderidge

The backstory to the multiple eras of Queensryche is actually quite hilarious: Vocalist Geoff Tate—who did the studio vocals to every track played at Ameristar Casino that night—was fired after a backstage altercation at a show in Brazil back in 2012, and immediately replaced by fellow prog metal mates Crimson Glory’s singer Todd La Torre.

Tate and his wife, Queensryche’s manager until ‘05, filed a lawsuit and took the group to a two-year court battle over “illegal firing,” fully after the name of the group. During this time, Tate released an album under the Queensryche moniker with an all-star lineup, including Quiet Riot’s Rudy Sarzo and Ratt’s Bobby Blotzer on drums. After losing the case, Tate had to change the name of the group to Operation: Mindcrime—Queensryche’s famously heralded release.

Since those days, the band has released four records with La Torre at the helm, and all have met a fairly consensus critical praise. Maybe just not quite like the band we knew from the late ‘80s/early ‘90s.

Two-fifths of the original lineup played at Ameristar—pretty much a yearly event around KC since 2019—but there was something just off with this basically being a cover show.

The Warning, Ryche’s first LP, turned 40 this year, and although the band consistently memorializes their greatest work, 1988’s Operation: Mindcrime, the quintet paid homage to their core-est of roots from their power metal days, when Tate was belting from anywhere and everywhere.

To go along with La Torre taking over the reins, guitarist Chris DeGarmo has been replaced by Mike Stone, while former Kamelot drummer Casey Grillo took over for Scott Rockenfield in 2017—also followed by a lawsuit, yikes.

DeGarmo and Wilton were the core contributors to the five-song self-titled EP that maintains legendary status to this day, with DeGarmo writing two of the group’s biggest tracks in “Queen of the Reich” and “The Lady Wore Black.”

Queensryche. // photo by Andrew Dodderidge

La Torre and company ravaged through the first four songs on the EP, with “Queen” and “Lady” being the highlights. These tracks were meant for Tate, especially “Lady”—a cut he ended up writing before quitting on his regular group, Myth—but La Torre has a distinct delivery of his own. Taking photos during “Queen,” “Nightrider,” and “Blinded,” an older lady in the front row raised a shirt up to La Torre in an attempt to get it signed—I tried my best to capture the moment, albeit not the best—but was quickly denied by security.

He managed to keep the night afloat. But the night was consumed by the thought of, “What could it have been like if Tate had been singing these songs 40 years later?” Suffice to say, the core issue is not with La Torre, but with this basically being a band playing someone else’s songs.

The next year, their 1984-inspired freshman debut was recorded by Pink Floyd regular James Guthrie, an album that made it all the way to 61 on The Billboard 200. And although the members did not receive rights to the final mix due to being extremely over budget, the album has shaped the power metal scene in ways many people probably don’t realize (even with that 1.5 star Rolling Stone rating).

Queensryche. // photo by Andrew Dodderidge

La Torre took a moment near the end of the night to say that all of these tracks haven’t been played since ‘85, on a tour shortly after both were released. He was a good sport throughout the set, walking offstage in the middle only to resurface wearing a Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl Champions t-shirt. If there’s one way to get the KC crowd on your side, La Torre knows it.

2003 reissue song “Prophecy” found its way into the setlist as the guys came back onstage for their encore, followed by “Screaming in Digital” off Rage for Order, another classic from Tate.

So I’m a bit mixed. I probably wouldn’t bother to go see these fellows again anytime soon, but there were surely moments. And if you plan to see them on this tour, traveling through Canada and the northeast through the beginning of May, and want some memorabilia on your way out, be sure to bring some physical money. The signed drums go for $60 and $120, but only in cash.

All photos by Andrew Dodderidge: