Queensryche has a tour stop at home

There's no place like home for Queensryche.

The heavy-metal band maintains a cult following around the world, but its fans here are particularly rabid. That's because Queensryche was born in Bellevue almost three decades ago, and blew up big nationally in the pre-grunge era. In the late 1980s, it was second only to Heart as the most popular band to come out of Seattle.

Dubbed "The Thinking Man's Heavy-Metal Band" because of its smart lyrics and serious approach to music and performance, the band built a following before ever actually playing here. Determined from the start to conquer the world, it bypassed the nightclub route and went straight into the studio. Its independent recordings were hits on local radio, which led to a recording contract with EMI America. The debut "Queensryche" album came out in 1983 to good reviews and impressive sales. After that, the band began doing local shows and touring, building an international audience.

Queensryche released its elaborate, political-thriller concept album, "Operation Mindcrime," in 1988, but really hit its stride in 1990 with "Empire," its slickest, most popular release.

But Seattle, and metal, took a different turn in the '90s, and Queensryche's high-concept, glam-influenced style didn't jibe with grunge, the new Seattle sound that shook up rock.

Queensryche laid low while the fad burned bright. There were personnel changes and rumors of a breakup. The band eventually regrouped, with a new lineup but still featuring lead singer Geoff Tate and guitarist Michael Wilton. Working steadily in recent years, it regularly releases albums and always seems to be touring.

Its latest world tour includes a hometown show Saturday night at the Paramount, with friend Don Dokken opening. The big question this time: What will the band play?

Its last shows here — a three-night stand at the Moore in 2006 — resulted in the CD and DVD "Mindcrime at the Moore," with the full "Mindcrime" story finally told in an elaborate production with actors and visuals. The shows also included a greatest-hits encore not included in the recordings.

This time Queensryche has its whole catalog of albums to draw from, including the latest, "Take Cover," in which the band gives its full-throated, guitar-blast treatment to cover songs from a variety of sources, including U2, Pink Floyd and "Jesus Christ Superstar."

No matter what they play, the crowd is going to love every minute. That's because this is Seattle, and Queensryche is one of ours.

Patrick MacDonald: 206-464-2312 or pmacdonald@seattletimes.com