In a new interview with eonmusic, Queensryche guitarist Michael Wilton has confirmed that drummer Scott Rockenfield has no plans to return to the group. Speaking during the band’s appearance at Bloodstock Festival at Catton Hall, Derbyshire, the guitarist said that Rockenfield “isn’t touring anymore.”
Wilton also spoke of the challenges of the last few years and since the departure of former vocalist Geoff Tate. “We had to establish the band again, obviously business wise but for me, being in and doing this for over thirty years, this is the next chapter for Queensryche and a lot of our fans have jumped on and some have disappeared. Whatever; this is a new chapter of Queensryche and we’re having a great time. I think we’re on a great path right now creatively and we’ve got a lot of really great people supporting us.”
On the “magic” of his early partnership with guitarist Chris DeGarmo: “Obviously the guitar tandem team with Chris was magic and it was during that time when the band was discovering itself and experimenting. Those were some great times but now it’s a different vibe. You’re with people that have different influences and crunching them all together and seeing what you get is exciting because for one there’s so much dynamic energy in everybody and contribution, that it’s a different type of writing.”
Finally, on Scott Rockenfield’s status: “Well, basically when we started to record The Verdict [in 2018], we hadn’t heard from him. He had more of a, personal obligations that he was doing, and then he told us that he couldn’t drum on the record. That was kind of as sign that, I think that he had obligations. He’s a very private person, and we respect what he’s doing. It left him in a situation where he really isn’t touring anymore”.
Read the full interview here
Queensryche’s latest album The Verdict is out now on Century Media Records and the band tour the UK in November 2019.
Foundry, SHEFFIELD November 29th 2019
The Garagge, GLASGOW November 20th 2019
Riverside, NEWCASTLE December 1st 2019
Support on the shows comes from FIREWIND and MirrorPain
