Geoff Tate

Came across this review on a site called metal underground. Pretty funny and pretty accurate in my opinion. I bit the bullet out of morbid curiosity and picked up this album. It's a mess but not quite the train wreck I was expecting.

You all know the story, for is not unlike those read in the annals of literary lore. You see, there was once a great king. He began his rule at age 25, and his kingdom had much wealth and power and a period of much prosperity for a decade. Over time, the king turned dark and cold, which caused one of his chief architects and creators of the kingdom’s main exports to flee to a far and distant land. Twisted by evil, the king ruled with an iron fist for another 16 years. As a result, prosperity declined and he had lost the backing and trust of the people. Infrastructure had become old and unkempt and crumbled apart after his sixteen years of neglect. Still, the king continued to milk the people for tax money while exporting products made without care or oversight. His inner circle, consisting of his queen and daughter, had even usurped power from his remaining architects.
In the 26th year of his rule, the remaining architects become very concerned about a growing people’s rebellion against the failing regime, one hell bent and “dedicated to chaos.” The architects quietly asked the king to abdicate his throne. The king responded by openly and callously telling the people they “sucked.” He blamed his architects for his own transgressions, ordering the people to assassinate them. The people responded with silent laughter, enraging the king who made his own threats against them at knife point. The architects quickly overthrew the tyrant in a popular uprising. Twisted by his own vanity, the ousted ruler built a new castle on the largest hill in the center of the kingdom, declared it the one true kingdom and claimed rule over all the land. He then purchased new loyal architects, plucked among the excommunicated elders of other kingdoms. He ordered them to make new products fashioned from used toiletries and left over scraps of his former kingdom. In response, the true architects, in unity with the people, merely fenced off access, converted it into a largest ever petting zoo and renamed the hill “Mt. Tate.”
In near record time, Geoff Tate was the first to rush to the table of confusion, with his own version of “Queensryche” and the new release “Frequency Unknown.” Largely dull and uninspired, the album reeks of discarded pieces of solo material that were souped up to sound “heavy.” Comparing this to Tate’s solo material, it would actually rank as his best effort to date. However, comparing this to the latest volley of Queensryche albums, including the dreaded “Dedicated to Chaos,” would be like comparing Metallica’s collaborative disaster with Lou Reed (“Lulu”) with “St. Anger” – it all depends how much feces your olfactory senses can tolerate. The album is filled with so much visual foreshadowing, that it only serves to unravel the impending disaster before it even reaches the ears: “Frequency Unknown,” “Fallen,” “Running Backwards,” “Slave,” “Cold.” Lyrically, Tate made sure he filled “FU” with more insufferable innuendos against his former band mates than the title and album art alone suggested.
However, the real failure of “Frequency Unknown” is not completely with the music, but a continual decline in the vocal range of Tate himself. You can make any album as "heavy" as you want, and “FU” has a fair level of crunch, but the vocal performance needs to match any musical fire mustered. Staying in his more comfortable low to mid-range, if Tate had just reached back and “went for it” – it might silence some of the critics who claim he has lost his edge. “Frequency Unknown” does nothing to improve that, and the inclusion of bastardized cover versions of classics “I Don’t Believe In Love,” “Empire,” “Jet City Woman” and “Silent Lucidity” serves only to further prove the point and likely has former guitarist Chris DeGarmo rolling his eyes. Add the lifeless performances in “Dare” and “Give It to You” overlaying musically directionless tracks and I am running for my “Warning” CD.
Is there any saving grace? Sure….the album does have its moments. If played by Chris DeGarmo, “In the Hands of God,” may very well sound like a long lost bonus track from the “Rage for Order” sessions. “Cold” is a decent track, save for the clear “message” to the real Queensryche. “Everything” is by far the best composition on the album, and it would have killed if sung by the 25 year old Tate.
Is this enough to resurrect “Frequency Unknown” and elevate it to something worthy of the name Queensryche? Not hardly. If Tate looked beyond his own vanity, took a whole lot more time, selected a band of real band members and not hired guns and went back to the drawing board with his vocal style – there may exist a glimmer of hope. As it stands, “Frequency Unknown” is just that…a directionless and uninspired album of rehashed solo material and scraps left on the Queensryche cutting floor, which was a classless rush to the finish line out of pure unadulterated ego and slapped with the “Queensryche” name. Fear not, hope arrives in June.

stormspell wrote:

James B. wrote:

I can already see the combo pack re-issue on Cleopatra Records called Duece Crapola featuring....

Killen-S/T (with Restless Is The Witch demo)
and Queensryche-Frequency Unknown

On a totally off topic related note, I'd love to re-release KILLEN - S/T + "Restless is the Witch" Demo, even if only in the name of sport to see how many copies would sell

Dude, you gotta do it before Azintex Music bootlegs that one.

Seriously, I'd buy one of those just for the shits and giggles. Talk about ultra tr00! Ehehehehehehehe

Fat Freddy wrote:

stormspell wrote:

James B. wrote:

I can already see the combo pack re-issue on Cleopatra Records called Duece Crapola featuring....

Killen-S/T (with Restless Is The Witch demo)
and Queensryche-Frequency Unknown

On a totally off topic related note, I'd love to re-release KILLEN - S/T + "Restless is the Witch" Demo, even if only in the name of sport to see how many copies would sell

Dude, you gotta do it before Azintex Music bootlegs that one.

Seriously, I'd buy one of those just for the shits and giggles. Talk about ultra tr00! Ehehehehehehehe

heck - ill buy one and send it to FF!!

exact33 wrote:

Fat Freddy wrote:

stormspell wrote:

James B. wrote:

I can already see the combo pack re-issue on Cleopatra Records called Duece Crapola featuring....

Killen-S/T (with Restless Is The Witch demo)
and Queensryche-Frequency Unknown

On a totally off topic related note, I'd love to re-release KILLEN - S/T + "Restless is the Witch" Demo, even if only in the name of sport to see how many copies would sell

Dude, you gotta do it before Azintex Music bootlegs that one.

Seriously, I'd buy one of those just for the shits and giggles. Talk about ultra tr00! Ehehehehehehehe

heck - ill buy one and send it to FF!!

I still have not recovered from one and only listen to Killen!!! I am still in therapy thanks to that unpleasant experience

manny wrote:

exact33 wrote:

Fat Freddy wrote:

stormspell wrote:

James B. wrote:

I can already see the combo pack re-issue on Cleopatra Records called Duece Crapola featuring....

Killen-S/T (with Restless Is The Witch demo)
and Queensryche-Frequency Unknown

On a totally off topic related note, I'd love to re-release KILLEN - S/T + "Restless is the Witch" Demo, even if only in the name of sport to see how many copies would sell

Dude, you gotta do it before Azintex Music bootlegs that one.

Seriously, I'd buy one of those just for the shits and giggles. Talk about ultra tr00! Ehehehehehehehe

heck - ill buy one and send it to FF!!

I still have not recovered from one and only listen to Killen!!! I am still in therapy thanks to that unpleasant experience

can I get your address too?

Geoff douches it up again with his new "contest"..... and the prize is having to sit through a full Fakeryche gig:

http://www.queensryche.com/2013/04/26/queensryche-best-video-rant-contest/

DO YOU REALLY HATE THE NEW QUEENSRYCHE FREQUENCY UNKNOWN ALBUM? HAVE YOU ALREADY BLOGGED ABOUT IT ONLINE? WELL METAL GEEKS, IF YOU GOT THE BALLS TO STAND BEHIND YOUR OPINION THEN HERE IS THE CONTEST FOR YOU – STOP HIDING BEHIND YOUR COMPUTER KEYBOARDS AND SMART PHONES AND SHOW US HOW MUCH YOU HATE IT BY SUBMITTING YOUR “VIDEO RANT” TO US VIA YOUTUBE VIDEO. START BY GIVING US YOUR REAL NAME ON CAMERA AND PROCEED TO RANT AWAY – GEOFF TATE FROM QUEENSRYCHE WILL FILM HIMSELF CHOOSING THE BEST VIDEO RANT AND WILL POST ONLINE FOR YOUR ENJOYMENT. THE WINNER WILL RECEIVE AN ALL-EXPENSES PAID TRIP TO SEATTLE, WASHINGTON TO SEE QUEENSRYCHE IN THEIR HOME TOWN ON JUNE 29TH, ALONG WITH VIP SPECIAL GUEST SEATING, MEET AND GREET PASSES FOR AFTER THE SHOW AND A MERCHANDISE PACKAGE WORTH $250 THAT HE OR SHE CAN FEEL FREE TO EITHER BURN – OR WEAR IN STYLE!

Contest Rules:
1. Video rants must be submitted via YouTube and contestant must state on camera before beginning the rant: “MY NAME IS (real first and last name per I.D. and/or Passport) AND THIS IS MY VIDEO SUBMISSION FOR THE QUEENSRYCHE “BEST RANT” CONTEST – or video will not be considered.
2. All video submissions must include a link to: www.cleorecs.com or video will not be considered.
3. Please limit your rants to the music and production of the album Frequency Unknown – personal attacks/personal threats on Queensryche band members and family members will not be tolerated. Any video submissions that cross the line will be denied and possibly reported to YouTube for violation of YouTube policies (seriously – wives and children are off-limits!)
4. Content of the video rant must be limited to the QUEENSRYCHE “Frequency Unknown” album as released by Deadline Music/Cleopatra Records on April 23rd, 2013 and not on any previously-released Queensryche or Geoff Tate solo albums.
5. Contest limited to ages 18 and up only.
6. Deadline for Submissions is May 10th, 2013
7. Runners up will receive free “goodie bag” from Queensryche and Cleopatra Records Inc..
8. Contest limited to U.S. Residents only
9. Employees of Cleopatra Records, E1 Entertainment or its business partners not eligible.

Strange contest... You rant about how you hate the album to win merchandise associated with it. Almost sounds like a set up for Geoff to confront one of his haters.

Better bring goggles.

Troublezone wrote:

Strange contest... You rant about how you hate the album to win merchandise associated with it. Almost sounds like a set up for Geoff to confront one of his haters. Better bring goggles.

He'll perform in private for the winner, singing Jet Spitty Woman.....

It really does sound like a con - I foresee The Geoff using this to "make fun" of the contestents.... call them pussies or tell them they suck.....

I also find it interesting that he requires full legal names for the "contest"

Jesus. This shit just keeps getting weirder and weirder.

thejokeriv wrote:

Troublezone wrote:

Strange contest... You rant about how you hate the album to win merchandise associated with it. Almost sounds like a set up for Geoff to confront one of his haters. Better bring goggles.

He'll perform in private for the winner, singing Jet Spitty Woman.....

It really does sound like a con - I foresee The Geoff using this to "make fun" of the contestents.... call them pussies or tell them they suck.....

I also find it interesting that he requires full legal names for the "contest"

Right.
He wants (full legal name) for some reason... I think he would at least put the winner through some kind of embarrassing situation.

He's making David Lee Roth look normal.

wtf

thejokeriv wrote:

Troublezone wrote:

Strange contest... You rant about how you hate the album to win merchandise associated with it. Almost sounds like a set up for Geoff to confront one of his haters. Better bring goggles.

He'll perform in private for the winner, singing Jet Spitty Woman.....

It really does sound like a con - I foresee The Geoff using this to "make fun" of the contestents.... call them pussies or tell them they suck.....

I also find it interesting that he requires full legal names for the "contest"

Well why not? I have never seen as much venom toward one person from the keyboard warrior gang. I don't know GT and I don't like his music but some of the stuff posted on his YouTube video is disgusting. Let people stand behind their 'comments'

Eyesore wrote:

stormspell wrote:

James B. wrote:

I can already see the combo pack re-issue on Cleopatra Records called Duece Crapola featuring....

Killen-S/T (with Restless Is The Witch demo)
and Queensryche-Frequency Unknown

On a totally off topic related note, I'd love to re-release KILLEN - S/T + "Restless is the Witch" Demo, even if only in the name of sport to see how many copies would sell

DO IT! DOOOOOOOO IT!

Get me in contact with the band and your wish would be my command

wow!!!! WTF!!!!

Guess what I bought. I have failed myself.

I'm tempted to not open it, send the copy of the receipt, get the remix disc, and then just wait for a used copy. We'll see...

thejokeriv wrote:

Geoff douches it up again with his new "contest"..... and the prize is having to sit through a full Fakeryche gig:

http://www.queensryche.com/2013/04/26/queensryche-best-video-rant-contest/

DO YOU REALLY HATE THE NEW QUEENSRYCHE FREQUENCY UNKNOWN ALBUM? HAVE YOU ALREADY BLOGGED ABOUT IT ONLINE? WELL METAL GEEKS, IF YOU GOT THE BALLS TO STAND BEHIND YOUR OPINION THEN HERE IS THE CONTEST FOR YOU – STOP HIDING BEHIND YOUR COMPUTER KEYBOARDS AND SMART PHONES AND SHOW US HOW MUCH YOU HATE IT BY SUBMITTING YOUR “VIDEO RANT” TO US VIA YOUTUBE VIDEO. START BY GIVING US YOUR REAL NAME ON CAMERA AND PROCEED TO RANT AWAY – GEOFF TATE FROM QUEENSRYCHE WILL FILM HIMSELF CHOOSING THE BEST VIDEO RANT AND WILL POST ONLINE FOR YOUR ENJOYMENT. THE WINNER WILL RECEIVE AN ALL-EXPENSES PAID TRIP TO SEATTLE, WASHINGTON TO SEE QUEENSRYCHE IN THEIR HOME TOWN ON JUNE 29TH, ALONG WITH VIP SPECIAL GUEST SEATING, MEET AND GREET PASSES FOR AFTER THE SHOW AND A MERCHANDISE PACKAGE WORTH $250 THAT HE OR SHE CAN FEEL FREE TO EITHER BURN – OR WEAR IN STYLE!

Contest Rules:
1. Video rants must be submitted via YouTube and contestant must state on camera before beginning the rant: “MY NAME IS (real first and last name per I.D. and/or Passport) AND THIS IS MY VIDEO SUBMISSION FOR THE QUEENSRYCHE “BEST RANT” CONTEST – or video will not be considered.
2. All video submissions must include a link to: www.cleorecs.com or video will not be considered.
3. Please limit your rants to the music and production of the album Frequency Unknown – personal attacks/personal threats on Queensryche band members and family members will not be tolerated. Any video submissions that cross the line will be denied and possibly reported to YouTube for violation of YouTube policies (seriously – wives and children are off-limits!)
4. Content of the video rant must be limited to the QUEENSRYCHE “Frequency Unknown” album as released by Deadline Music/Cleopatra Records on April 23rd, 2013 and not on any previously-released Queensryche or Geoff Tate solo albums.
5. Contest limited to ages 18 and up only.
6. Deadline for Submissions is May 10th, 2013
7. Runners up will receive free “goodie bag” from Queensryche and Cleopatra Records Inc..
8. Contest limited to U.S. Residents only
9. Employees of Cleopatra Records, E1 Entertainment or its business partners not eligible.

This is amazing.

Eyesore wrote:

Guess what I bought. I have failed myself.

I'm tempted to not open it, send the copy of the receipt, get the remix disc, and then just wait for a used copy. We'll see...

You couldn't have waited until at least next week so The Geoff's first week sales numbers would be lower?????

Nah...... adding one more sale will only bring the total up to 998 copies......... 1 to Ken 997 purchased by the Tate clan.....

The rants are starting to show up online..... warning some NSFW language in the rants:

I guess I don't care enough to go to all the effort but it's amusing.

Third review, a 400 lb man lectures GT about not looking after himself!!!

Orion Crystal Ice wrote:

thejokeriv wrote:

Geoff douches it up again with his new "contest"..... and the prize is having to sit through a full Fakeryche gig:

http://www.queensryche.com/2013/04/26/queensryche-best-video-rant-contest/

DO YOU REALLY HATE THE NEW QUEENSRYCHE FREQUENCY UNKNOWN ALBUM? HAVE YOU ALREADY BLOGGED ABOUT IT ONLINE? WELL METAL GEEKS, IF YOU GOT THE BALLS TO STAND BEHIND YOUR OPINION THEN HERE IS THE CONTEST FOR YOU – STOP HIDING BEHIND YOUR COMPUTER KEYBOARDS AND SMART PHONES AND SHOW US HOW MUCH YOU HATE IT BY SUBMITTING YOUR “VIDEO RANT” TO US VIA YOUTUBE VIDEO. START BY GIVING US YOUR REAL NAME ON CAMERA AND PROCEED TO RANT AWAY – GEOFF TATE FROM QUEENSRYCHE WILL FILM HIMSELF CHOOSING THE BEST VIDEO RANT AND WILL POST ONLINE FOR YOUR ENJOYMENT. THE WINNER WILL RECEIVE AN ALL-EXPENSES PAID TRIP TO SEATTLE, WASHINGTON TO SEE QUEENSRYCHE IN THEIR HOME TOWN ON JUNE 29TH, ALONG WITH VIP SPECIAL GUEST SEATING, MEET AND GREET PASSES FOR AFTER THE SHOW AND A MERCHANDISE PACKAGE WORTH $250 THAT HE OR SHE CAN FEEL FREE TO EITHER BURN – OR WEAR IN STYLE!

Contest Rules:
1. Video rants must be submitted via YouTube and contestant must state on camera before beginning the rant: “MY NAME IS (real first and last name per I.D. and/or Passport) AND THIS IS MY VIDEO SUBMISSION FOR THE QUEENSRYCHE “BEST RANT” CONTEST – or video will not be considered.
2. All video submissions must include a link to: www.cleorecs.com or video will not be considered.
3. Please limit your rants to the music and production of the album Frequency Unknown – personal attacks/personal threats on Queensryche band members and family members will not be tolerated. Any video submissions that cross the line will be denied and possibly reported to YouTube for violation of YouTube policies (seriously – wives and children are off-limits!)
4. Content of the video rant must be limited to the QUEENSRYCHE “Frequency Unknown” album as released by Deadline Music/Cleopatra Records on April 23rd, 2013 and not on any previously-released Queensryche or Geoff Tate solo albums.
5. Contest limited to ages 18 and up only.
6. Deadline for Submissions is May 10th, 2013
7. Runners up will receive free “goodie bag” from Queensryche and Cleopatra Records Inc..
8. Contest limited to U.S. Residents only
9. Employees of Cleopatra Records, E1 Entertainment or its business partners not eligible.

This is amazing.

maybe they ought to give the winners earplugs for that concert. I doubt it will be hard to find VIP seating amongst the 5 people that show up for the concert.

Eyesore wrote:

Guess what I bought. I have failed myself.

I'm tempted to not open it, send the copy of the receipt, get the remix disc, and then just wait for a used copy. We'll see...

I really thought you would have stuck to your guns. Thats a good idea tho. Didn't think of that one but again I didnt see that thing about the remix disc til after I already opened it. I actually got my replacement disc in the mail today. They sent it pretty quick. I wrote the email on Thursday afternoon. I still haven't listened to either one.

Phoenix Reign Drummer wrote:

Eyesore wrote:

Guess what I bought. I have failed myself.

I'm tempted to not open it, send the copy of the receipt, get the remix disc, and then just wait for a used copy. We'll see...

I really thought you would have stuck to your guns. Thats a good idea tho. Didn't think of that one but again I didnt see that thing about the remix disc til after I already opened it. I actually got my replacement disc in the mail today. They sent it pretty quick. I wrote the email on Thursday afternoon. I still haven't listened to either one.

Me, too. But we were in Best Buy and Sarah came up to me with the CD and was like, "Hey, isn't this the band you keep ranting to me about?" Haha. And it was only $9.99, so I said, "Ah, fuckit!"