Queensrÿche

Queensrÿche (pronounced 'kwinzrak) is an American heavy metal band considered one of the pioneers of progressive metal: a blend of traditional heavy metal and progressive rock. The name is the contraction of Queen of the Reich, the title of one of their songs. Their biggest success is the concept album Operation Mindcrime. After having played in several bands, Chris DeGarmo and Michael Wilton decided, in 1981 in Seattle, to form a band that would compose original songs; the duo then recruited school friends, Geoff Tate, Eddie Jackson and Scott Rockenfield. After refining their songs for nearly 2 years, the new band recorded, produced and put on the market (via their own record company - 206 Records) a 4-song demo cassette. Helped by a couple (Kim & Diana Harris), record store owners.