The Washington state-based band Queensryche are revered in the annals of metal history. Not only did they help define the subgenre of progressive metal in its earliest stages, but also gave it two of its most revered records in Operation: Mindcrime (Oft-regarded as one of the greatest concept records of all time) and the mega-selling Empire. (Which featured the massive Billboard hit "Silent Lucidity.")

In spite of their esteemed legacy however, the band would reach an incredibly tumultuous splintering by 2012. By then, lead singer Geoff Tate had been exacting a more and more dictatorial level of control over the group, was responsible for some questionable and poorly received artistic choices, and would exhibit more and more irrational and violent behavior towards his fellow band-mates. By a majority vote he was summarily kicked out of the band he helped form, only to slap the remaining members with a lawsuit to attempt to claim the Queensryche name. A judge would ultimately side with the rest of the group, but the lengthy deliberations allowed there to be two bands under the Queensryche name releasing records and performing at the same time.

To capitalize upon this and attempt to claim the brand for his own, Tate rushed the 2013 record Frequency Unknown to stores. It featured a slew of session musicians, outside songwriters, and innumerable problems with the sound mixing in the rush to beat his former bandmates to the punch, and received tepid-to-negative reaction from fans and critics, who to this day consider the record to be one of the worst things to bear the Queensryche banner.

On the latest episode of Jukebox Zeroes, Lilz & Patrick are re-joined by previous guest Todd Bowes of Downcity Armory to endure Frequency Unknown, the lone record by Geoff Tate's Queensryche-In-Name-Only lineup. Will they find some hidden depths and uncovered gems among the wreckage of poor audio mixing, and Tate's own colossal ego and pettiness?

Probably not. But listen anyway!

Local Music Feature: Jeb Bush Orchestra - "Space & Time"

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