Queensrÿche: 2002-2003

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In late 2002 or early 2003, the original lineup of Queensrÿche reunited to work on Tribe. Jackson, Rockenfield and Wilton spent the summer of 2002 working on song ideas as Geoff Tate was on the road supporting his solo album. After learning about the direction Tribe was taking, Chris DeGarmo called his former bandmates mentioned he had a few songs and ideas he thought might work, and he was invited down to take part in the sessions.

Back in the fold, DeGarmo contributed three songs he had written the music for: "Falling Behind," "Doin' Fine" and "Art of Life" and ended up co-writing two other songs with the band: "Desert Dance" and "Open." A sixth song, "Justified" was entirely written (music and lyrics) by Chris and was intended for the album. The track was only partially recorded when Chris left the sessions, however, so it did not appear on Tribe (see explanation below).

Lyrically, as vocalist Geoff Tate describes it, Tribe is an observation of society in a post-9-11 world, based on a journal he kept while on the road in 2002 with his solo band. Musically, the six songs DeGarmo was a part of during the sessions sound like a natural evolution from where Queensrÿche left off with Hear in the Now Frontier. But instead of a dry production, the Tribe songs feature a more layered and dynamic mix, along with some chunkier metal riffs courtesy of the DeGarmo/Wilton guitar tandem.

Unfortunately, the reunion was short-lived. Amid a flurry of speculation, it was announced that DeGarmo had decided to once again leave the band. It should be noted that it had never been formally announced Chris had rejoined, only that he was working with his bandmates in the studio and was going to perform on Queensrÿche's European tour in support of Tribe. That said, the fact Chris participated in a lengthy photo session for the album and that he left with one song (Justified) only partially recorded, indicated to many fans DeGarmo intended a more long term, permanent reunion. Rumors persist to the current day that some of the same factors that led Chris to leave in 1997 came back again, preventing his return to the band full time.

Editor's Note: The recording of "Justified" was completed in 2007 and can be heard on the deluxe edition of the band's Sign of the Times: The Best of Queensrÿche compilation.

Releases

Tribe (2003)

Special Interviews

"Eyes of a Stranger: Michael Wilton Discusses on the Future of Queensrÿche" - Fall 2002

Article Scans

Aardschock (May 2003-pt.1)

Aardschock (May 2003-pt.2)

Aardschock (May 2003-pt.3)

Editor's Note: A translation of the above article scan (which is the only Tribe-era article that includes an appearance and comments from Chris DeGarmo, is available here.

Misc. Scans

Tribe-Era Bio Sheet

Tribe Promo Poster

Tribe Promo Poster (B&W)

Tribe Marketing Sheet

Band Photos

Tribe Era Promo Shot 1	Tribe Era Promo Shot 2	Tribe Era Promo Shot 3	Tribe Era Promo Shot 4
Tribe Era Promo Shot 5	Tribe Era Promo Shot 6	Tribe Era Promo Shot 7	Tribe Era Promo Shot 8

Tribe Era Promo Shot 9

Tribe Era Promo Shot 10

Tribe Recording Session Photos

Geoff Tate in Studio 2003

Chris DeGarmo in Studio 2003

EJ & MW in Studio 2003

Scott Rockenfield in Studio 2003