In 2013, Queensrÿche is broken into two camps that both use the group's name. One camp is led by singer Geoff Tate, who issued Frequency Unknown in April. The other camp is this one, with all the other members of Queensrÿche and former Crimson Glory singer Todd La Torre. It's up to every fan to decide which side to favor, but this version of the group does the legacy proud. With La Torre also at the writing table with the rest of the group, the result is an all-for-one mentality that translates to a band playing with fire in its belly. There's no wasted space. Although it features nine tracks and two intros (plus two live bonus cuts on the deluxe version), the album cruises like an EP. A tune like "Vindication" is reminiscent of Queensrÿche's late-'80s/early-'90s prime. "A World Without" (with the spooky intro "Midnight Lullaby") is a prime metal ballad with a Michael Kamen–like orchestration that (along with the "X2/Where Dreams Go to Die" slow jam) captures the dynamics that always gave the group an edge over its competition. Queensrÿche isn't afraid of melody or complexity. When it decides to rock—"Spore," "Don't Look Back"—it makes everything sound easy.