Take Hold Of The Flame

Hey there, Zoo Freaks, it’s your groovy Zoo Crew spinning the vinyl vibes at THE ZOO radio station, and we’re cranking up the metal magic with Queensrÿche’s “Take Hold of the Flame” from their killer debut album, The Warning! This track’s a straight-up heavy metal anthem, but there’s some wild trivia behind it. Guitarist Chris DeGarmo spilled the beans in a 1991 RIP magazine chat, saying the song’s about folks who let opportunities slip through their fingers, with lyrics like “We see the line of those who find the world has passed them by.” He and singer Geoff Tate reworked the chorus to scream, “Take hold of the flame,” urging listeners to seize their moment. It’s a fist-pumping call to action that became a fan favorite, especially in Japan, where it was a legit international hit. Fun fact: the band played this tune so much live it’s their fourth most-performed song, and Geoff Tate’s solo gigs have racked up 214 performances of it alone!

Dive a bit deeper, and you’ll find “Take Hold of the Flame” has some serious vocal chops. According to Genius, Geoff Tate hits an insane E5 note, showing off his unreal range. The song’s vibe is raw and relatable, not leaning into the sci-fi or AI themes Queensrÿche often played with, like robots or dystopian wars. Instead, it’s a motivational gut-punch about grabbing life’s brass ring. Fans on Reddit still go nuts over it—one user called it “one of the best metal ballads ever recorded” after catching a live Tokyo performance from back in the day. That Japanese love? Totally real. The band recorded live stuff in Tokyo early on, and the song’s straightforward riffs and pounding drums made it a crowd-pleaser, as noted on Crooked Wanderer.

Now, let’s rewind to how Queensrÿche kicked off their epic journey. Hailing from Bellevue, Washington, these prog-metal pioneers formed in 1980 from the ashes of a local band called The Mob. The original lineup—vocalist Geoff Tate, guitarists Chris DeGarmo and Michael Wilton, bassist Eddie Jackson, and drummer Scott Rockenfield—started jamming together, crafting a sound that blended heavy metal’s grit with progressive rock’s brainy edge. They dropped a self-titled EP in 1983, which caught fire locally and scored them a deal with EMI America. By 1984, they were in London recording The Warning with Pink Floyd producer James Guthrie, though Tate later griped about the label’s meddling with the mix. From there, Queensrÿche became a leader in the progressive metal scene, selling over 20 million albums worldwide, including 6 million in the U.S., as per Last.fm.

Zoo Freaks, if you’re itching to keep up with Queensrÿche, hit up their official site at queensrycheofficial.com. They’re also rocking social media—check their Facebook, Instagram, and X for the latest news and throwback vibes. Fans are all over the place too! Join the Queensrÿche Fans group on Facebook to trade stories and vinyl finds, or cruise over to the r/Queensryche subreddit for some deep-cut discussions. So, crank up “Take Hold of the Flame,” grab that spark, and keep it locked with your Zoo Crew for more righteous tunes!