Originally published by L.S. Media. March 19th 2011. 
In 1991 the world lost one of its most favourite performers and subsequently one its favourite groups as it could be seen that they were never the same again after their charismatic leader’s death. Their melodies, rock compositions and dramatic guitar themes would become a by word for the ultimate accolades labeled upon a band when told they have an element of Queen about them.
In 1972 the world was a very different place, amid political strife at home and abroad a young band formed from the remnants of the band Smile, namely drummer Roger Taylor and guitarist Brian May, walked into the De Lane Lea Studios in London armed with the likeable and infectious front man Freddie Mercury and bass player John Deacon set about creating their eponymous debut album Queen.
Released in the summer of 1973, Queen gave the world a first glimpse of what was too be, a roller coaster of majestic anthems and sweeping guitar which would grace the almost every album they would go on to make till the Innuendo album released just before Freddie’s untimely death.
The digital remaster surprisingly has lost none of the appeal that 1970’s listeners first heard and if possible for a reissue, has enhanced the enjoyment to new levels. The opening track of Keep Yourself Alive has all the hall marks of how Brian May would go on to be seen in much later life, as one of the true geniuses of his profession, its powerful arrangements and thundering backdrop making the perfect opening for any album of the time.
Unusually for an album of the time there is the added bonus of hearing a future song being given a small airing. The unfinished Seven Seas of Rhye would make it in to the album Queen II but for now would start life as an instrumental, even this brief glimpse into the bands future stands up to the reminiscence of nearly forty years distance.
For younger fans of Queen’s music the chance to hear the band at its height and arguably best has gone, but on the reissues there is the chance to hear some of the original demos that took place at De Lane Lea Studios, from these new fans to gauge the feeling for the band and for older fans it is a sublime walk down memory lane of what was and what is now gone.
Ian D. Hall