QUEENSRŸCHE's MICHAEL WILTON Says New Album Represents 'A Rebirth' For The Band

On May 25, Rustyn Rose of Metalholic.com conducted an interview with QUEENSRŸCHE guitarist Michael Wilton. You can now listen to the chat in the YouTube clip below.

The self-titled album from the Todd La Torre-fronted version of QUEENSRŸCHE will be released on June 25 via Century Media Records. The cover artwork was created by Craig Howell, who has previously worked on designs for "Star Wars", SLIPKNOT and "American Idol", to name a few.

"It's a rebirth and it's a fresh energy and we're firing on all cylinders," Wilton told Metalholic.com about the response to the band's new lineup. "It is incredible. The fans love it and the industry loves it as well."

Regarding the addition of La Torre to QUEENSRŸCHE following a three-decade run with the band's original lead singer, Geoff Tate, Wilton said: "It's been a seamless integration. The fans love [Todd], they accept him, and he definitely knows all the in-between-the-breaths, all the nuances [in the old songs] — everything — and it's amazing that we found him and that he has that talent. And as well as on the new QUEENSRŸCHE, the elements of his own personal voice break through as well."

On the topic of what Todd has contributed to the songwriting process for the new QUEENSRŸCHE album, Wilton said: "This was a whole band participation; there was no outside writers. Todd brings his elements and his creativity and his entity into the band. And it's on all cylinders. He is very gracious; [there is] no ego [involved]. And if it's lyrics, if it's melodies, if it's a suggestion on a drum part or a guitar part, everybody's open-minded. This is a democracy and it is a beautiful element."

Audio samples of all the songs that are set to appear on "Queensrÿche" can be streamed at Amazon.com.

"Queensrÿche" marks the debut release from the lineup comprised of La Torre (vocals; ex-CRIMSON GLORY),Michael Wilton (guitar),Parker Lundgren (guitar),Eddie Jackson (bass) and Scott Rockenfield (drums). The drums for the album were recorded at London Bridge Studios in Seattle, Washington with producer James "Jimbo" Barton — the man who engineered and mixed the band's classic 1988 LP, "Operation: Mindcrime", and its 1990 follow-up, "Empire", and co-produced 1994's "Promised Land". The rest of the music and vocals were laid down at several different facilities on the West Coast.

"Queensrÿche" track listing:

01. X2
02. Where Dreams Go To Die
03. Spore
04. In This Light
05. Redemption
06. Vindication
07. Midnight Lullaby
08. A World Without
09. Don't Look Back
10. Fallout
11. Open Road

Several versions of "Queensrÿche" are now available for pre-order:

*** Standard Jewel Case Version
Regular CD that includes a 4x4 patch.

*** Deluxe Box Set Edition CD (North America only)

Regular CD with the following bonus tracks:

* Queen Of The Reich (live)
* En Force (live)
* Prophecy (live)
Housed in a small box with an exclusive patch, sticker, guitar pick and button pack.

*** 2-CD Media Book (For Europe only)
Standard CD, plus 2nd CD with the following bonus tracks, all recorded live in Snoqualmie, WA on October 27, 2012:

01. Queen Of The Reich (live)
02. En Force (live)
03. Prophecy (live)

*** LP Version
One LP with the standard cd inserted into the sleeve as a bonus.

Side A

01. X2
02. Where Dreams Go To Die
03. Spore
04. In This Light
05. Redemption
06. Vindication

Side B

01. Midnight Lullaby
02. A World Without
03. Don't Look Back
04. Fallout
05. Open Road
06. Queen Of The Reich (live)
07. En Force (live)

*** iTunes Digital Version
Standard CD version, plus the following bonus tracks:

01. Queen Of The Reich (live)
02. En Force (live)

Interview (audio):

"Where Dreams Go To Die" audio stream:

"Redemption" audio stream:

"Fallout" performance: