One definition of prog is that you can do what the hell you want and nobody is allowed to complain. Nevertheless, there will be some raised eyebrows among Queensrÿche’s fanbase when this album appears.
The Seattle quintet established a huge reputation in the 80s for their heavy metal concept releases laden with huge riffs, duelling solos and lyrics about dystopian futures. Dedicated To Chaos, however, has very little of this, based on a sound that is best described as David Bowie-meets- Linkin Park. Singer Geoff Tate’s impression of The Dame is genuinely amazing on songs such as Hot Spit Junkie and the curiously-titled Wot We Do, which features synth stabs and a funky beat straight out of Ashes To Ashes. Other songs such as Around The World are more anthemic, but not metal-based in any sense. The purists will fill their drawers, though there’s still music to enjoy here.
