Dedicated to Chaos - Queensrÿche (2011) - early sneak peek available

Progressive rockers Queensrÿche has not enjoyed the same levels of success they had in the 1990s back before guitarist Chris DeGarmo left the band, but they have still been producing music and touring.

June of 2011 will mark the release of their 12th studio album, entitled "Dedicated to Chaos," and the band's 30th anniversary. Frontman Geoff Tate likens the album to their very successful 1990 release, "Empire"



On the official Queensrÿche website, Geoff Tate has stated that the album is a "clash and slash of musical experimentation anchored by the pulse of digital code." On the Brave Words and Bloody Knuckles website, Tate has also divulged "It's kind of a modern approach to song arrangement - utilizing different sound effects and sounds sources; playing the instruments in a different way than what we have before; really experimenting a lot with the structure of rhythm and bringing it into what's modern." 

The album will be available in late June, but the album is available for pre-order, and audio samples are up on amazon here for anyone who wants to get a sneak peek.
My first impression is that, electronic samples aside, there seems to be a strong vein of classic rock influences in the limited audio clips available so far. The sample of the song "The Lie" in particular, sounds like it would be at home on a Led Zeppelin album. Beyond that, I have not heard enough to make any real observations or judgement beyond that.

Track listing:
1. Get Started
2. Hot Spot Junkie
3. Got it Bad
4. Around the World
5. Higher
6. Retail Therapy
7. At the Edge
8. Broken
9. Hard Times
10. Drive
11. I Believe
12. LuvnU
13. Wot We Do
14. I Take You
15. The Lie
16. Big Noize

Personnel:
Geoff Tate – lead vocals, keyboards, saxophone
Michael Wilton – lead, rhythm & acoustic guitars, backing vocals
Eddie Jackson – bass, backing vocals
Scott Rockenfield – drums, percussion, keyboards
Parker Lundgren – guitars, backing vocals