Metal band Queensryche to perform at Frank J. Pasquerilla Conference Center

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Pioneers of the progressive metal genre are bringing their hard-hitting sound to an area stage.

Queensryche will present its “The Origins Tour,” with special guest Jared James Nichols, at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Frank J. Pasquerilla Conference Center, 301 Napoleon St., downtown Johnstown.

“This is a band that a lot of people who grew up as rock fans in the ’80s remember very fondly,” said Chad Mearns, marketing and box office manager at 1st Summit Arena. “They’ve gone through some different changes in terms of their sound, and for this show they will be highlighting a lot of their earlier music that tends to be heavier than their bigger radio hits.”

Queensryche first burst onto the music scene in 1982 with the release of their self-titled, four-song EP “Queensryche.”

The band quickly gained international recognition and performed to sold-out audiences around the world.

With the follow-up first full-length album “The Warning” in 1984, and the groundbreaking 1986 release of “Rage For Order,” Queensryche continued to prove their worldwide dominance as one of the most respected and creative bands of the ’80s.

In 1988, the band turned out the monumental album “Operation: Mindcrime,” which would go on to become one of the top 10 best-selling concept records of all time, and set the stage for continued sold-out performances around the world.

With the release of the critically acclaimed and commercially successful “Empire” in 1991, Queensryche earned multiple Grammy Award nominations and won the MTV Viewers Choice Award for the No. 1 chart- topping hit “Silent Lucidity.”

During the next 10 years, the band continued to release albums and tour the world to sold out audiences.

Queensryche has sold over 30 million albums worldwide and have continued to break new ground and push their creative process.

“Fans of hard rock and heavy metal can expect a really great show from some seasoned performers,” Mearns said. “They have a reputation for doing great live shows. We’ve heard from a lot of people who have seen them previously and are excited to catch them again because they put on a great performance.”

He recommends for younger fans of heavy metal who may not be familiar with Queensryche to come and check out the performance.

“It’s a pretty affordably priced show, and I think they’ll find something they really enjoy,” Mearns said.

He added that the Pasquerilla Conference Center is a perfect venue for bands who would typically be seen in club venues.

“We now have that opportunity to bring those type of shows to Johnstown,” he said.

Tickets are $38 and are available at www.ticketmaster.com or at the 1st Summit Arena @ Cambria County War Memorial box office.

For more information, call 814-536-5156 or visit www. 1stsummitarena.com.