Best Tune on "Promised Land" by Queensrÿche

The darkest and most progressive entry in the Queensrÿche discography, marking the end of their classic era.



Recorded at home, in the Dungeon, at Triad and Big Log Studios from summer of 1992 through Spring of 1994.

Released: October 18, 1994

Produced by James Barton

Geoff Tate - Vocals, Saxophone, Keyboards
Chris DeGarmo - Guitars, Piano, Cello, Sitar
Michael Wilton - Guitars
Eddie Jackson - Bass
Scott Rockenfield - Drums

Tunes
9:28 AM
I Am I
Damaged
Out of Mind
Bridge
Promised Land
Dis Con Nec Ted
Lady Jane
My Global Mind
One More Time
Someone Else?

Their highest charting record to date. The songs on this album are tied together firmly by the theme of success and how to deal with it, and reflections on American society and how that shapes our goals in life. In July 2014, Guitar World ranked Promised Land at number 23 in their "Superunknown: 50 Iconic Albums That Defined 1994" list.

First vote, best vote - "Damaged", followed by "I Am I" and "Bridge."

"Bridge" for me. It's not a song that touches upon anything specific to me, but growing up with a seriously strained father/son relationship this song just resonated with me. It used to bring me to tears.

My father is now many years sober (took 20 to get there) and we have a good relationship, something I never thought would happen. I wonder if Chris and his father ever reconnected.

Anyway, if I had to pick two more I'd go with "Promised Land" and the full-band version of "Someone Else?" Yeah, yeah, that version isn't on the album. Whatever. It should have been. It is far superior to the stripped down album version.

Outstanding album, though. So underrated.

Promised Land

This album never clicked with me. I guess I'd go with I Am I. I should give this one another try some day. Who knows, it may be better than I remember.

Promised Land for me.

My favorite track is actually the bonus track "Real World" but Bridge is the track that gets my vote here.

Really strong album; it's very melancholy for a QR release.

I probably would be in the minority, but I enjoy this album more than "Empire!" My favorite song would be "Damaged" and then "One More Time".

I had jumped ship at this point, so I have nothing to add.

Witchfinder wrote:

I had jumped ship at this point, so I have nothing to add.  

I never heard it and will put some ears on it for the first time for the sake of participating in the thread. Just like I did for almost half of the Judas Priest polls. Get back with ya'll later on this.

I don't have this. I hear good things about it. Maybe I should get it?

But I didn't even really like Empire that much. That metallic edge was gone. And I don't like prog.

I have the EP, Warning, Rage, Mindcrime, Empire and Mindcrime II (suckered me in one last time).

Lari wrote:

I don't have this. I hear good things about it. Maybe I should get it?

It's certainly heavier than Empire, but twice as inaccessible - I'd go for it.

Someone Else?

OK, popped the proverbial cherry with this album. At first glance, Scott's drumming is the only thing that sticks to the wall. I hear snippets of what they did on pretty much every previous album. Some more than others. I dig "Bridge" and "Someone Else?" more than the other tunes. Gonna go with "Someone Else?"

I haven't listened to this album in ages. I'm going to give it a spin before I vote.

Wurthless wrote:

My favorite track is actually the bonus track "Real World"

Yeah, if that had been on the album then it would definitely have been a contender. Someone Else? is a great closer, but I agree that the full band version is better, especially as they cut out some of the lyrics for the album version. But in the end, I'm going for One More Time.

DakotaRogers wrote:

Lari wrote:

I don't have this. I hear good things about it. Maybe I should get it?

It's certainly heavier than Empire, but twice as inaccessible - I'd go for it.

Six years later, I got it.

Actually I got it in December. But I'm giving it my first spin now.

It says it's a 2003 reprint (remastered), with bonus tracks. Not sure how the mastering will be.

I got my hi-fi ready, I got my tumbler of whiskey (Canadian), it's Friday night, the kids are asleep. I'm ready for some old/new Queensrÿche. I do know some of these tracks but it's a total new album experience for me.

Went with Bridge, but i really need to revisit the album.

I remember winning the single on cd, back in 94, on a local radio station competition. It was my first exposure to Queensryche.

Didn't get the album until a few years ago.

After one weekend of listening to this, there are several tracks I don't like, at least immediately.

But Dis con nec ted and Bridge and Someone Else? are all very good songs.

As a whole it's a little laid back, pinkfloydy, not sure I like the album. But at least there are highlights. The bonus track, The Real World, is kind of interesting. Orchestra and all.

I voted Dis con nec ted, but favourite track will surely change through the years.

The booklet doesn't come with lyrics, which is a shame. There's a story about the making of the album instead.

Lari wrote:

After one weekend of listening to this, there are several tracks I don't like, at least immediately.

But Dis con nec ted and Bridge and Someone Else? are all very good songs.

As a whole it's a little laid back, pinkfloydy, not sure I like the album. But at least there are highlights. The bonus track, The Real World, is kind of interesting. Orchestra and all.

I voted Dis con nec ted, but favourite track will surely change through the years.

The booklet doesn't come with lyrics, which is a shame. There's a story about the making of the album instead.

I still love this album. Check out the full-band version of "Someone Else?" So good!

Eyesore wrote:

Lari wrote:

After one weekend of listening to this, there are several tracks I don't like, at least immediately.

But Dis con nec ted and Bridge and Someone Else? are all very good songs.

As a whole it's a little laid back, pinkfloydy, not sure I like the album. But at least there are highlights. The bonus track, The Real World, is kind of interesting. Orchestra and all.

I voted Dis con nec ted, but favourite track will surely change through the years.

The booklet doesn't come with lyrics, which is a shame. There's a story about the making of the album instead.

I still love this album. Check out the full-band version of "Someone Else?" So good!

Yes that's a good song. That version is also a bonus on the CD, and it made me pay more attention to the song in the first place.

I do like the ballad version too.

I have a feeling I'm missing out on a lot of the deeper stuff that's supposed to be great here in this album though. And if it's like with Pink Floyd, (this sounds like Wish You Were Here), that "stuff" is weed.

I think it's clearly the weakest album up to this point in their careers. But at least musically it's pretty good. I don't regret getting it or anything.

I hated this album when it first came out. All I could think is what the fuck happened to Queensryche. It is now one of my favorites and of course much better than the stuff to follow. I went with DisConNecTed as my favorite track.