It seems that Seattle prog-rockers Queensrÿche are increasingly becoming a touring band. Perhaps, to be brutally honest, they’re running out of ideas; their recent studio albums having been both patchy and infrequent. The Art Of Live (released on CD as well is DVD), meanwhile, is already the follow up to 1991’s Operation Live Crime and 2001’s Live Evolution (also a DVD and CD release).

If you think the band are about to resort to 80s reunion tours or something, you’d be proved wrong though. This set-list is almost completely different from Live Evolution with much more emphasis on new material. Six of the first seven songs come from last year’s Tribe album, and stand up quite well. Not as heavy as the band used to be, more prog-hard rock than metal, but as competent as you’d expect from such an experienced band.

Admittedly, I’ve never been interested enough in the band to appreciate the ‘classics’ like ‘Breaking The Silence’ also on offer. For me the highlight of the set comes at the end: the encore of (Pink Floyd’s) ‘Comfortably Numb’ and (The Who’s) ‘Won’t Get Fooled Again’ – featuring the tour’s co-headliners Dream Theater.

One thing I did find disappointing is the decision to film the whole show in black, brown and white. They’re obviously trying to create atmosphere, with the picture quality deliberately like an old film reel, but it doesn’t make it visually captivating. The photo gallery suggests quite an interesting light show that isn’t really evident here. Then again maybe it’s appropriate, now the band are more ‘stadium rock’ than metal monsters. After all, the extra footage even includes a seated acoustic session for American TV…

Speaking of extras, the obligatory band interviews don’t offer much insight. A few minutes of chat reveal nothing more exciting than the roadies’ habit of adding the host city phonetically to the se-tlist each night. Extras are normally fairly disappointing in my view though. The concert would be the saving grace, as it’s pretty good in fairness, but unfortunately, between the band’s lack of energy and the decision to shoot in monochrome, it isn’t much to look at.

(3/½/5)

Release Date: 12 July 2004

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Queensrÿche: The Art Of Live