QUEENSRYCHE the new metal gods live QUR

Early Progressive Metal History: Queensrÿche’s ‘The New Metal Gods Live’

Today’s entry explores the underground world of bootleg recordings with an early live document of progressive metal pioneers Queensrÿche. We are looking at the 1985 unofficial release titled The New Metal Gods Live, released on Evil Records.

Live in Offenbach 1984

This LP captures the band during their first major European trek, supporting their debut full-length album The Warning. Recorded live at the Stadthalle in Offenbach, Germany, on October 24, 1984, the setlist is a goldmine for fans of their heavy, power-metal infused early sound. It features blistering renditions of “Nightrider,” “Prophecy,” and the epic “The Lady Wore Black.” The energy of a young Geoff Tate and the twin-guitar attack of Chris DeGarmo and Michael Wilton is palpable throughout tracks like “Take Hold Of The Flame.”

A Bootleg Mystery

As with many unauthorized releases from the 1980s, the packaging contains some misdirection. While the sleeve proudly states “Made in United Kingdom” with a London address for Evil Records, collectors generally identify this as a German source production. This specific version features White Labels, adding to the raw, clandestine appeal of the release. It stands as an unfiltered snapshot of a band on the verge of defining a genre.