The mid-1980s were an interesting time for Queensr˙che. While the record company insisted on an "image," the band's music defied such categorization, going to more intense and themeatic heights. Produced by Neil Kernon, Queensr˙che's 1986 release, Rage for Order, employed an interesting three-tiered lyrical theme, along with an equally layered and complex musical structure. Heralded by fans, Rage for Order is considered by many to be one of the definitive starts of the music genre known as "progressive heavy metal."
The lyrical content was based around three concepts - personal, political, and technological. Cuts such as the gripping "Screaming in Digital" and "I Will Remember" highlight the dangers of artificial intelligence and government spying, whereas "London" and "The Killing Words" showcase a more human element. The political tier was met with the bombardment of "Surgical Strike," and even shared the aforementioned "I Will Remember." Musically, while Queensr˙che's two-guitar attack was still very much present, Rage for Order also brought the keyboards forward in the mix, making for a very rich musical experience.
The tour to support Rage for Order was equally as interesting. The band ended up opening for both Bon Jovi (!!!) and Ozzy Osbourne on its tour, in addition to some headline shows, as Queensr˙che's management looked for the proper "fit" for the band in a landscape full of lipstick and hairspray. Spanning approximately seven months, Queensr˙che's touring for Rage for Order ended a bit early, but closed on a high note. The band headlined two sold out performances at L'Amours East in New York, one of the more high profile clubs for metal acts.
 Rage for Order (1986) |
 Rage Era Promo Shot 1 |
 Rage Era Promo Shot 2 |
 Rage Era Promo Shot 3 |
 Rage Era Live Shot 1 |
 Rage Era Live Shot 2 |
 Rage Era Live Shot 3 |
 Rage Era Candid In Studio |
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(1986 pt. 1) |
(1986 pt. 2) |
(1986 pt. 3) |
(1986 pt. 4) |
(1987 pt. 1) |
(1987 pt. 2) |
(1986 pt. 1) |
(1986 pt. 2) |
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(Late 1987-pt.1) |
(Late 1987-pt.2) |
(Late 1987-pt.3) |
(Late 1987-pt.4) |
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 Rage for Order Promo Ad |
 Rage for Order Promo Ad 2 |
The Rage for Order Tour (1986-1987)
DATE |
LOCATION |
VENUE |
July 31, 1986 |
New Orleans, LA |
Lakefront Arena |
August 1, 1986 |
Shreveport, LA |
Hirsch Memorial Coliseum |
August 2, 1986 |
Little Rock, AR |
Barton Coliseum |
August 3, 1986 |
Kansas City, MO |
Kemper Arena |
August 5, 1986 |
Ft. Worth, Texas |
Tarrat County Convention Center |
August 6, 1986 |
Houston, Texas |
The Summit |
August 7, 1986 |
San Antonio, Texas |
Hempisphere Arena |
August 9, 1986 |
Tucson, AZ |
Community Center |
August 10, 1986 |
Phoenix, AZ |
Compton Terrace |
August 11, 1986 |
Las Vegas, NV |
Thomas & Mac Center |
August 12, 1986 |
San Diego, CA |
Sports Arena |
August 13, 1986 |
Laguna Hills, CA |
Irvine Meadows Amphitheater |
August 15, 1986 |
San Francisco, CA |
Cow Palace |
August 16, 1986 |
Sacramento, CA |
Cal Expo Ampitheater |
August 18, 1986 |
Portland, OR |
Memorial Coliseum |
August 19, 1986 |
Tacoma, WA |
Tacoma Dome |
August 20, 1986 |
Spokane, WA |
Spokane Coliseum |
August 22, 1986 |
Calgary, AB, CANADA |
Saddledome |
August 23, 1986 |
Edmonton, AB, CANADA |
Northlands Coliseum |
August 25, 1986 |
Winnipeg, MB, CANADA |
Winnipeg Arena |
August 26, 1986 |
Bismarck, ND |
Civic Center |
August 27, 1986 |
Rapid City, S.D. |
Rushmore Plaza |
August 28, 1986 |
Sioux Falls, SD |
Sioux Falls Arena |
August 29, 1986 |
Minneapolis, MN |
Bloomington Metro Center |
August 30, 1986 |
Madison, WI |
Dane County Arena |
September 1, 1986 |
East Troy, WI |
Alpine Valley Music Center |
September 2, 1986 |
Kalamazoo, MI |
Wings Stadium |
September 4, 1986 |
Miami, FL |
Unknown |
September 5, 1986 |
Hollywood, FL |
Sport Auditorium |
September 6, 1986 |
Orlando, Fla. |
Orange County Civic Center |
September 7, 1986 |
St. Petersburg, FL |
Bayfront Arena |
September 9, 1986 |
Atlanta, GA |
The Omni |
September 12, 1986 |
Columbia, S.C. |
Carolina Coliseum |
September 13, 1986 |
Greensboro, N.C. |
Greensboro Coliseum |
September 14, 1986 |
Fayetteville, N.C. |
Memorial Arena |
September 17, 1986 |
Springfield, MA |
Springfield Civic Center |
September 20, 1986 |
Kingston, NH |
Kingston Fairgrounds |
September 21, 1986 |
Uniondale, NY |
Nassau Coliseum |
September 24, 1986 |
Montreal, AB, CANADA |
The Forum |
September 26, 1986 |
Toronto, ONT, CANADA |
CNE Grandstand |
September 29, 1986 |
Grand Rapids, MI |
Welsh Auditorium |
September 30, 1986 |
Dayton, Ohio |
Unknown |
October 5, 1986 |
Beaumont, Texas |
Civic Center |
October 6, 1986 |
Austin, Texas |
Austin Opera House |
October 7, 1986 |
Dallas, Texas |
Reunion Arena |
October 12, 1986 |
Phoenix, Ariz. |
Celebrity Theatre |
October 13, 1986 |
Albuquerque, NM |
New Mexico State Fairgrounds Exhibition Hall |
October 17, 1986 |
Salinas, CA |
Sherwood Hall |
October 18, 1986 |
Sacramento, CA |
Arco Arena |
October 21, 1986 |
Santa Monica, CA |
Unknown |
October 22, 1986 |
San Diego, CA |
Golden Hall |
November 23, 1986 (cancelled) |
Burton-On-Trent, Bargates (UK?) |
Central Park |
November 24, 1986 |
London, UK |
Hammersmith Odeon |
November 25, 1986 |
London, UK |
Hammersmith Odeon |
November 26, 1986 |
Bradford, UK |
St. Georges Hall |
November 27, 1986 |
Arnhem, HOLLAND |
Rijnhal |
November 28, 1986 |
Paris, FRANCE |
Le Zenith |
November 29, 1986 |
Luzerne, SWITZERLAND |
Festhalle |
November 30, 1986 |
Wuerzburg, GERMANY |
Unknown |
December 2, 1986 |
Dortmund, GERMANY |
Westfalenhalle |
December 3, 1986 |
Hanover, GERMANY |
Eilenriederhalle |
December 4, 1986 |
Copenhagen, DENMARK |
Falkoner |
December 6, 1986 |
Stockholm, SWEDEN |
Isstadion |
December 8, 1986 |
Helsinki, FINLAND |
Ice Hall |
January 28, 1987 |
Knoxville, Tenn. |
Unknown |
February 7, 1987 |
Lubbock, Texas |
Lubbock Coliseum |
February 8, 1987 |
Norman, Okla. |
Lloyd Noble Center |
February 13, 1987 |
Elmhurst, NY |
L'Amour East |
February 14, 1987 |
Elmhurst, NY |
L'Amour East |
February 20, 1987 |
Elmhurst, NY |
L'Amour East |
February 21, 1987 |
Commack, L.I., N.Y. |
L'Amour Far East |