The verdict

"De sidste mange år med Tate i spidsen var en kamp mod prædikatet "thinking man's metal", som Queensrÿches specielle prog-metal fik, og i stedet for blev vi trakteret med den ene fattigmands-Rush-plade efter den anden. La Torres ankomst blev som bekendt enden på det, men det er, som om der nu igen er ved at gå lidt metaltræthed i den, og denne anmelder tvivler på, om andre end de mest loyale fans kan tilfredsstilles med The Verdict".

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"'The Verdict' er et sammensat og noget stilmæssigt blandet album. Men når det hele skal gøres op, virker det umiddelbart, som det bedste og mest helstøbte album, som bandet har udgivet i mange år, og det bedste med La Torre bag mikrofonen".

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"The Verdict is an unsuccessful attempt to expand the Queensrÿche sound, dubiously taking it back toward the rock/alt-rock oriented space it occupied during the band's steady decline throughout the 90s. They're talented enough to make it work at times and there are a few good songs, but overall this feels like a misfire lacking in direction and confidence. It might appeal to fans of restrained prog rock, but lovers of the past few albums likely won't be enamored with the shift. Looks like the drama is back".

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"Now reduced to a four-piece, there's a stronger sense of what the band's identity should be, in contrast with lackluster efforts of past decades. With clenched fists, playing and singing like they still have something to prove, Queensrÿche approaches their 40th anniversary in extraordinary shape, firing on all cylinders. This is a clear contender to the best album of the year despite the fact we are just in mind February. Highest recommendation".

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