Queensrÿche came to rock Johnstown at the Frank J. Pasquerilla Center during the second leg of their highly anticipated Origins Tour performing their debut self titled EP in addition to their first full length effort, The Warning, in their entirety.

Article by: Sean Mickel

Photographs by: Rose Mickel

The Pasquerilla Center is directly across the street from the 1st Summit Arena, and the two venues have been doing a great job of bringing in national acts to a smaller market. We love doing shows in Johnstown because it’s a simple in and out, and it’s close to home. The crowd was sparse as doors opened and we entered into an intimate banquet room like setting, patiently awaiting showtime.

Support was provided by Jared James Nichols. A 3-piece band fronted by Jared, who's pick-less playing style is absolutely amazing. A heavy blues influenced rock band, they got the crowd pumped up and ready with their raw, infectious energy. They opened the show with a 9 song set including originals and a couple of cover tunes, finishing up with a cover of Mississippi Queen. This dude is definitely a virtuoso on the rise, and I feel sure we will be seeing more of him. If you haven't heard of him yet, I feel certain you will!

After a quick set change, the anticipation begins to swell. The crowd has filled in a bit and I see faces that cover the generational spectrum. From old school metal heads in their 50’s (like me), to the thirty something’s, and all the way down to pre-teen children. It’s great to see people pass on their appreciation for incredible music.

The lights go down as Walk from Pantera starts to fill the room. Within the intimate crowd you can feel the energy and foretaste building. Queensryche, a band that has had its share of lineup changes over the years, appears on stage. Original members - guitarist Michael Wilton and bassist Eddie Jackson - are joined on stage by Mike Stone on guitar and Casey Grillo (Kamelot) on drums. On vocals, the incredible and incomparable Todd La Torre, who took over the singing duties from Geoff Tate in 2012, and has done an exceptional job taking over the reins.

The first notes of Queen Of The Reich ring out, and this rollercoaster of a rock show is about to begin. Todd hits the first scream right out of the gate, and the fast paced opener from their debut EP hits us right in the face. The energy continues right through the next two songs, Nightrider and Blinded, before a change of pace for the crowd favorite song, The Lady Wore Black. The band is tight and Todd’s vocals are amazing, an incredible combination of vocal timber and power.

The first four songs set the tone for the evening, and as the band exits the stage to prepare for what’s next. The crowd has had a taste and their appetite for more is increasing like a wave. Then, suddenly, an air raid siren fills the venue and the lights move as if searching the sky for incoming enemy aircraft. The word “Warning” echoes throughout the venue, and the band launches into the title track from their first full length album. The boys are warmed up now and power through a commanding performance of En Force, and Deliverance. Then things slow down a bit with No Sanctuary, and the crowd chants along with the band, knowing every word.

NM156 is up. Todd’s vocal range during this song is nothing short of incredible. Take Hold Of The Flame, arguably the most recognizable song from the record, is next, and the crowd shows their love by singing the chorus at the top of their lungs. They continue with Before The Storm, a song that would lay the groundwork for their progressive style of metal that was to come on later albums, before finishing up their regular set with Child Of Fire, and Roads To Madness.

The band returns to the stage, and Todd thanks us for being such an engaging fun crowd, and informs us there will be three more songs!!

First up is The Prophecy, a song that found its way onto The Warning expanded edition, that had been previously unreleased for that album. Empire, the title track from their most commercially successful album follows, and the crowd is feeling the energy for the band and vice versa as it ebbs and flows into the final song of the evening, Eyes Of A Stranger. An amazing song and an absolute incredible performance.

The band was firing on all cylinders in every aspect and everyone went home having been rocked. From the first song of the opening set, to the end of the night, we all had fun and heard some incredible music and witnessed musicians do what they do . . . entertain us!

If you get a chance to catch Queensryche on the road, do not hesitate. Do not procrastinate. Buy the tickets and go. You won’t be disappointed.