Queensrÿche has sold over 20 million albums worldwide, including over 6 million albums in the United States. They are considered one of the leaders of the progressive metal scene of the mid-to-late 1980s, and often referred to as one of the "Big Three" of the genre, along with Dream Theater and Fates Warning. The band received worldwide acclaim after the release of their 1988 album Operation: Mindcrime, which is often considered one of the greatest heavy metal concept albums of all time. Their follow-up release, Empire, released in 1990, was also very successful and included the hit single "Silent Lucidity". The band has received three Grammy Award nominations for songs from both albums. In 1998, drummer Rockenfield received an individual Grammy nomination.
Also in 1998, guitarist and primary songwriter Chris DeGarmo left the band for personal reasons, returning briefly in 2003 to write and record the Tribe album. Over the years, his replacements have been Kelly Gray, Mike Stone, and Parker Lundgren. Following a highly publicized backstage altercation before a show in São Paulo, Brazil, in April 2012, Tate was fired from the band and replaced with then-Crimson Glory singer Todd La Torre. In response to his dismissal, Tate and his wife Susan (who served as the band's manager from 2005 to 2012) filed a lawsuit in a Washington court, claiming that he was wrongfully terminated. The ruling in the preliminary injunction was that both parties were allowed to use the name Queensrÿche until a court ruling or a settlement decided who would get to use the name. A settlement was reached on April 17, 2014, in which founding members Wilton, Rockenfield and Jackson were awarded the rights to the band trademark, continuing to play with the lineup that additionally includes singer La Torre and guitarist Lundgren.
During the time, both parties could use the name Queensrÿche, Tate created his own lineup featuring former guitarist Gray and musicians from bands including Blue Öyster Cult, Ozzy Osbourne, Whitesnake, Dio, AC/DC and Quiet Riot. This version of Queensrÿche with Geoff Tate released the album Frequency Unknown on April 23, 2013, while Queensrÿche (with La Torre replacing Tate) released their eponymous album on June 24 and 25, 2013 (European and American release date, respectively). Both bands toured in 2013 and 2014.
Full article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queensrÿche
Studio albums
The Warning (1984)
Rage for Order (1986)
Operation: Mindcrime (1988)
Empire (1990)
Promised Land (1994)
Hear in the Now Frontier (1997)
Q2K (1999)
Tribe (2003)
Operation: Mindcrime II (2006)
Take Cover (2007)
American Soldier (2009)
Dedicated to Chaos (2011)
Queensrÿche (2013)
Condition Hüman (2015)
The Verdict (2019)
Digital Noise Alliance (2022)
Geoff Tate's Queensrÿche
Frequency Unknown (2013)
Promised Land
Queensrÿche Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Upon my door,
And waiting, for Promised Land.
Standing neck deep in life,
My ring of brass lay rusting on the floor.
Is this all?
Because it's not what I expected.
Somewhere along the way
Friends I once held close fled the fast lane.
I didn't notice, I just had to make it.
Head down, nose in the grindstone;
The kiss of life placed on my brow
Kept sliddin' to the ground
And now it's buried six feet under.
Preaching from the floor again
The same old sad song,
"Bartender, bring another drink for their favorite son."
Where did it all go wrong?
What's the use in even holding on?
Here's to love, hate, and promises.
Almost called it today.
Turned to face "The Void"
Numb with the suffering
And the question,
"Why am I?"
So many times I've tried and failed to
Gather my courage, reach again for that nail.
Life's been like
Dragging feet through sand,
And never finding,
Promised land.
Preaching from the floor again
The same old sad song,
"Bartender, bring another drink for their favorite song."
Where did it all go wrong?
I feel like I'm dying.
Here's to love, to hate,
To promises and promised land lies.
The lyrics to Queensryche's Promised Land evoke a sense of disillusionment and questioning, with the singer feeling lost and searching for something more. The opening lines set the scene, with the singer watching time pass and waiting for something to happen - a knock on the door, a sign of change or salvation. Meanwhile, they are "neck deep in life," surrounded by the trappings of existence but feeling unfulfilled.
As the song progresses, the singer reflects on the choices they've made and the people they've lost along the way. They've been so focused on getting ahead and succeeding that they didn't notice when their friends fell away, leaving them alone and adrift. The repeated refrain of "preaching from the floor again, the same old sad song" hints at a sense of hopelessness or despair, with the singer feeling like they're stuck in a rut and unable to break free.
Despite this, there are moments of defiance and determination in the lyrics. The lines "almost called it today," followed by the image of turning to face "the void," suggest a struggle to keep going in the face of adversity. The final stanza is particularly poignant, with the singer acknowledging their own mortality and the futility of chasing after unfulfilled promises. The phrase "here's to love, to hate, to promises and promised land lies" seems to sum up the core theme of the song - that life is full of ups and downs, and that our expectations and desires are not always satisfied.
Overall, the lyrics to Promised Land are a meditation on the human condition, with all of its joys and sorrows, hopes and disappointments, victories and defeats. The singer's journey is one that many of us can relate to, as we try to find our place in the world and make sense of the path we're on.
Line by Line Meaning
Watching the sand fall, listening for the knock
Upon my door,
And waiting, for Promised Land.
I am waiting for a message or opportunity that will bring me to a better future, while time keeps passing and I am listening for any sign or change.
Standing neck deep in life,
My ring of brass lay rusting on the floor.
Is this all?
Because it's not what I expected.
I feel like I am completely immersed in my daily routine, but the reward or recognition that I thought I would get has not come, and I am wondering if this is all there is to life.
Somewhere along the way
Friends I once held close fled the fast lane.
I didn't notice, I just had to make it.
I lost touch with my friends who were following a different path to success, but I was too focused on achieving my own success to notice or care about their absence.
Head down, nose in the grindstone;
The kiss of life placed on my brow
Kept sliddin' to the ground
And now it's buried six feet under.
I was working hard and hoping to succeed, but the motivation or inspiration that was keeping me going has now completely disappeared and I feel like I have lost it forever.
Preaching from the floor again
The same old sad song,
"Bartender, bring another drink for their favorite son."
I find myself repeating the same story of my struggles and disappointments, while seeking comfort or numbness in alcohol and feeling like I am everyone's victim.
Where did it all go wrong?
What's the use in even holding on?
Here's to love, hate, and promises.
I am questioning what led me to this state of desperation and apathy, and wondering if there is any point in trying to change things. I raise a toast to the confusing and painful aspects of life.
Almost called it today.
Turned to face "The Void"
Numb with the suffering
And the question,
"Why am I?"
I almost gave up on life because I felt so empty and hopeless, and I confronted the abyss of my own existence, feeling completely disconnected from myself and my purpose.
So many times I've tried and failed to
Gather my courage, reach again for that nail.
Life's been like
Dragging feet through sand,
And never finding,
Promised land.
I have attempted many times to find the motivation and willpower to pursue my dreams, but I always fall short and feel stuck in a slow and futile motion, never reaching the reward or destination that I desire.
Preaching from the floor again
The same old sad song,
"Bartender, bring another drink for their favorite song."
Where did it all go wrong?
I feel like I'm dying.
Here's to love, to hate,
To promises and promised land lies.
Once again, I am telling my story of defeat and despair, while seeking an escape in alcohol, and I feel like I am slowly fading away. I lift my glass to the ups and downs of life, and to the illusions and deceptions that keep me going.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHRIS DEGARMO, E. JACKSON, G. TATE, M. WILTON, S. ROCKENFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ruggierojerolli
Watching the sand fall, listening for the knock
Upon my door,
And waiting... for Promised Land.
Standing neck deep in life,
My ring of brass lay rusting on the floor.
Is this all?
Because it's not what I expected.
Somewhere along the way
Friends I once held close fled the fast lane.
I didn't notice, I just had to make it.
Head down, nose in the grindstone;
The kiss of life placed on my brow
Kept sliddin' to the ground
And now it's buried six feet under.
Preaching from the floor again
The same old sad song,
'Bartender... bring another drink for their favorite son.'
Where did it all go wrong?
What's the use in even holding on?
Here's to love, hate... and promises.
Almost called it today.
Turned to face "The Void"
Numb with the suffering
And the question,
'Why am I...?'
So many times I've tried and failed to
Gather my courage, reach again for that nail.
Life's been like
Dragging feet through sand,
And never finding... Promised Land.
Preaching from the floor again
The same old sad song,
'Bartender... bring another drink for their favorite song.'
Where did it all go wrong?
I feel like I'm dying.
Here's to love, to hate,
To promises and Promised Land lies.
Lunas Light
Watching the sand fall, listening for the knock
upon my door,
and waiting...for Promised Land.
Standing neck deep in life, my ring of brass
lay rusting on the floor.Is this all?
Because it's not what I expected.
Somewhere along the way
friends I once held close
fled the fast lane.
I didn't notice,
I just had to make it.
Head down, nose in the grindstone;
the kiss of life
placed on my brow
kept sliddin' to the ground
and now it's buried six feet under.
Preaching from the floor again
the same old sad song,
"Bartender... bring another drink for their favorite son."
Where did it all go wrong?
What's the use in even holding on?
Here's to love, hate... and promises.
Almost called it today.
Turned to face "The Void"
numb with the suffering
and the question,
"Why am I...?"
So many times I've
tried and failed to
gather my courage, reach again for that nail.
Life's been like
dragging feet through sand,
and never finding... Promised Land.
Preaching from the floor again
the same old sad song,
"Bartender... bring another drink for their favorite song."
Where did it all go wrong?
I feel like I'm dying.
Here's to love, to hate,
to promises and Promised Land lies.
skweed
There's something man. Thought Operation and Empire were the musical peak, but this album resonates with me the most. I keep coming to this album every now and then and get this out of world-ish mood man
Susie Simmons
YES...me too!
Daniel Brown
From the very 1st note on "Queen of the Ryche", I Had A firm belief that they would Rise to Great hieghts and They did! I really don't know too much of any albums after this one, ( is Spool on here?) But everything up to this point is True Ryche! I hope Geoff and the Boys can end this feud and come together again ! To Every Man , Woman and Child who Loves to Hear it as Loud as it can go. Peace to You All🙏❤️🇺🇸. Trump 2024 and Beyond! ❤️🇺🇸
Nicholas Westerman
Same
Groove Duude-JCF Vintage
Thank you. I put this album right behind Mindcrime. Original and thought provoking
Senad Bajrami
Definitely amazing personal deep dark to the bone
Ameya Joshi
Hearing this on high end Earbuds you can hear the different sounds in this song playing in the background, Holy Hell this Album was so way ahead of it’s time. Brilliant by Queensryche.
Rob Harrower
I could play this CD any decade and always be blown away to how good it is....classic Ryche in their purest form !
Susie Simmons
This album came out at a very pivotal time in my late twenties and it was like it was so perfect. I love the difference in this album!
Ameya Joshi
Classic and yet so ahead of it’s time.