On one of the hottest nights of the year, Queensrÿche descended upon Britain’s holy grounds with a dazzling set that ignited the Islington Assembly Hall.
Queensrÿche
Islington Assembly Hall, London – 23 June 2026
Words: Dany Jones
Photography: Manuela Langotsch
The Seattle veterans unleashed a relentless two-hour celebration of one of Progressive Metal’s most enduring catalogues.
Emerging in an era when the hard rock and Heavy Metal landscape was fiercely competitive, with bands such as Dokken, Iron Maiden and Judas Priest all fighting for the spotlight, Queensrÿche distinguished themselves through a unique blend of Progressive ambition, eminent musicianship and intelligent songwriting.
While many of their peers relied on sheer power and spectacle, the band carved out their own identity, creating a catalogue that continues to stand the test of time.
And it is thanks to them paving the way that, in the USA, artists of the calibre of Dream Theater, Crimson Glory or Fates Warning quickly followed suit into a more sophisticated and complex sonic research.
Navigating a back catalogue that spans more than four decades, Queensrÿche have maintained proficiency throughout, offering a fresh and electrifying performance extremely well received by a visibly captivated audience.
The Mob Rules plays as the band hits the stage, the track a nod to the band’s name before they settled on Queensrÿche in 1982.
The band immediately launched into Queen Of The Reich, where suddenly, the years disappeared, and the mixed audience of lifelong devotees and younger newfound adepts responded as if it were 1983 all over again.
Todd La Torre attacked the soaring vocal lines with total command. Backed by Michael Wilton’s meticulous guitar work and a rhythm section firing on all cylinders, the performance was both thunderous and exhilarating.
Operation: Mindcrime and Walk In The Shadows landed with surgical precision, while Speak showcased just how effectively Queensrÿche continue to blend melody, muscle and intelligence.
Naturally, I Don’t Believe In Love drew one of the loudest singalongs of the evening. One of their most accessible yet sophisticated numbers, it was notably known to most.
The middle portion of the set saw legacy material blended with newer offerings. Best I Can and Warning carried the crowd back to the band’s formative years, while Neue Regel and Behind The Walls reaffirmed that Queensrÿche remain very much relevant in the more contemporary landscape.
Then it was time for the endless sea of lights to brighten the hall along to the notes of Take Hold Of The Flame. The song remains one of the greatest power-ballad-Metal-anthems ever written, and the crowd embraced it with great emotion.
As the evening approached its climax, Empire delivered with exact precision. The immense groove shook the venue’s historic walls, proving that Progressive Metal can indeed hit with the force of a wrecking ball.
But it is the closing Eyes Of A Stranger that ultimately sealed the deal, crowning the moment as nothing short of cathartic.
At a time when many legacy acts seem content to trade solely on nostalgia, Queensrÿche remain a living, breathing force. Their performance at Islington Assembly Hall was not just a reminder of what made them great. It was evidence that they are still capable of delivering.
Despite the years and the gruelling touring schedules, Todd La Torre’s vocals remain in remarkable shape, while the band have imparted a true masterclass in execution.
In a genre often obsessed with overly processed production, they also lead as masters of dynamics.
Their performance at Islington Assembly Hall was a powerful reminder that Queensrÿche maintain their rightful place in the realm of Progressive Metal royalty.
For one sweltering night in North London, the empire stood strong, the stranger found his eyes, and the band have proven once again that intelligence, precision and pure Heavy Metal fire remain a formidable combination.
