IMPHAL, April 27 - Legendary American heavy metal band Queensryche arrived here this morning for their first performance in India�s North Eastern region, which is emerging as the most popular destination for international rock bands. The band will perform tomorrow at Bakshi Ground in the hill town of Ukhrul, 84 km from here. Ukhrul is hosting the ShiRock 2018 Festival, an international rock music festival-cum-competition for best bands of NE India from April 24 to 28.
�After a long 38 hour flight, we have finally arrived in India!! Looking forward to performing Saturday at ShiRock 2018 festival!!!�, Queensryche wrote on their official Facebook page.
Talking to reporters in the evening, the band�s frontman and vocalist Todd La Torre said they would be playing for 90 minutes tomorrow and perform songs from their albums including Empire, Operation: Mindcrime, etc.
One of the leading metal bands through the 1980s and 1990s, Queensryche received worldwide acclaim after the release of their 1988 album, Operation: Mindcrime, dubbed one of the greatest heavy metal concept albums of all time.
The latest line-up of Queensryche is: Todd La Toree (vocals), Michael Wilton (lead guitar), Eddie Jackson (bass guitar), Casey Grillo (drums) and Parker Lundgren (guitar).
Another American rock band, Steelheart, enthralled the North East crowd during the opening day of the festival.
The first three top bands in the competition will be awarded cash prizes of Rs 10 lakh, Rs 5 lakh and Rs 2.5 lakh respectively.
The ShiRock 2018 Festival is being organised as part of the Manipur Government-sponsored Shirui Lily Festival (April 24-28), aimed at promoting the conservation of the Manipur State flower, Shirui lily, on the one hand and young artistes on the other.
The Shirui lily is a unique and rare species found naturally on the Shirui peak at Ukhrul. This seasonal flower blooms in the summer season.
