Queensryche's Tour Ends On A High Note

----------------------------------------------------------- Queensryche and Sweet Sister Sam, last night and New Year's Eve, at the Seattle Center Coliseum. -----------------------------------------------------------

Queensryche has arrived.

One of the most popular American rock bands of 1991 capped its greatest year ever with a pair of triumphant homecoming concerts at the Coliseum, last night and New Year's Eve.

The theatrical, at times almost operatic, mainstream metal band from Bellevue, made good on its vow of almost 10 years ago that it would someday be an arena rock band of international proportions. From the very start, the five band members believed in their dream, looking right past local stardom - they never did the bar circuit, playing here only a few times as an opening act for major bands - and always aiming for the top.

Lead singer Geoff Tate and band have been thorough professionals from day one, carrying themselves like stars from the first time they hit the stage. Their gradual growth came to a head with "Empire," the eclectic, accessible 1990 album that produced what Billboard last week named the most popular rock song of 1991, "Silent Lucidity."

The album's success led to Queensryche's first-ever international headlining tour, which is just winding up after 14 months.

Last night there was no sign that the long trek has taken anything out of the band. Tate's voice soared to piercing highs, and he was a full of energy throughout the two-hour set. Lead guitarists Chris DeGarmo and Michael Wilton were fast and inventive in duets and solos, and drummer Scott Rockenfield and bassist Eddie Jackson kept it all together with their tight rhythms.

The production was impressive, with judicious but spectacular use of lasers and other lighting effects, close synchronization with images projected on two huge screens (at one point Tate sang a duet with a woman on film), and smoke that steamed up through grating on the multi-level stage.

As promised, the concert included the entire "Operation: Mindcrime" conceptional album - a complicated tale of political and moral corruption, with an unresolved ending - as well as generous portions of "Empire" and earlier Queensryche albums.

The band's Northwest roots were constantly apparent, from the stylish films of the Seattle skyline and landmarks such as the Pike Place Market and the Space Needle (the real Needle, before the ugly mid-level restaurant was added) during the slow-rocking "Jet City Woman," to references regarding local crack dealing and other crimes in the song "Empire," and subtle evocations in such tunes as "Another Rainy Night (Without You)."

Tate got a roar of approval from the near-capacity crowd last night when he talked about the accomplishments of his and other Seattle bands in 1991.

But Queensryche has to guard against getting carried away by its success. Tate was so slick he approached self-parody at times, especially when he talked in a fake, show-biz voice and made broad, theatrical gestures, which suggested he's taking himself a little too seriously.

The show was opened with a short set by a young, new undistinguished band called Sweet Sister Sam.