Roads To Madness
Queensryche · The Art Of Live [2004]
Most of this is memory now
I've gone too far to turn back now
I'm not quite what I thought I was but
Then again I'm maybe more
The blood-words promised, I've spoken
Releasing the names from the circle
Maybe I can leave here now and, o
Transcend the boundaries
For now I'm standing here
I'm awaiting this grand transition
The future is but past forgotten
On the road to madness
Times measure rusts as it crawls
I see its face in the looking glass - stop
This screaming laughter hides, the pain of its reality
Black, the door was locked I opened
And now I've paid that price ten-fold over
Knowledge - was it worth such torment, oh
To see the far side of shadow
And still I'm standing here
I'm awaiting this grand transition
I'm a fool in search of wisdom
And I'm on the road to madness
Yes, I'm on the road to madness
I'm awaiting endlessly
Pounding rhythms echo me
Won't you take me somewhere far beyond the void
And still I'm standing here
I'm awaiting this grand transition
Maybe one day, oh I'll meet you, and we'll
Walk the roads to madness
Yes, we're on the road to madness
Oh, I think they've come to take me
I hear the voice, but there's no-one to see
I can't scream, too late it's time
Stay on the course to pass
You'll never find the answer
To a place where darkened angels
Seemed lost and never found
Scream to see the light of
Forming figures fast behind you
Lay the past in the wind to spin
And your fate will sail beyond the open plains
Sail with angels onward
Live or die for the chosen one said
Saber sights cast a spell behind you
And they lock in all around
Free the scene insider
Never looking back to find why
Ride a course till the end of time
And you'll stand atop the gate
Laying waste in a path recited
Fighting force won't avenge the guided black wing
Oh, electric might poses fright inside me
Seeing light at the end of sight reminds me
I've passed away
I've gone too far to turn back now
I'm not quite what I thought I was but
Then again I'm maybe more
The blood-words promised, I've spoken
Releasing the names from the circle
Maybe I can leave here now and, o
Transcend the boundaries
For now I'm standing here
I'm awaiting this grand transition
The future is but past forgotten
On the road to madness
Times measure rusts as it crawls
I see its face in the looking glass - stop
This screaming laughter hides, the pain of its reality
Black, the door was locked I opened
And now I've paid that price ten-fold over
Knowledge - was it worth such torment, oh
To see the far side of shadow
And still I'm standing here
I'm awaiting this grand transition
I'm a fool in search of wisdom
And I'm on the road to madness
Yes, I'm on the road to madness
I'm awaiting endlessly
Pounding rhythms echo me
Won't you take me somewhere far beyond the void
And still I'm standing here
I'm awaiting this grand transition
Maybe one day, oh I'll meet you, and we'll
Walk the roads to madness
Yes, we're on the road to madness
Oh, I think they've come to take me
I hear the voice, but there's no-one to see
I can't scream, too late it's time
Stay on the course to pass
You'll never find the answer
To a place where darkened angels
Seemed lost and never found
Scream to see the light of
Forming figures fast behind you
Lay the past in the wind to spin
And your fate will sail beyond the open plains
Sail with angels onward
Live or die for the chosen one said
Saber sights cast a spell behind you
And they lock in all around
Free the scene insider
Never looking back to find why
Ride a course till the end of time
And you'll stand atop the gate
Laying waste in a path recited
Fighting force won't avenge the guided black wing
Oh, electric might poses fright inside me
Seeing light at the end of sight reminds me
I've passed away
Roads To Madness
Queensryche's "Roads To Madness" stands as a defining track from their 2004 live album, The Art Of Live. Released during the band's peak era of technical proficiency and theatricality, the song exemplifies their signature blend of progressive metal and symphonic elements. Featuring the distinctive vocal range of Geoff Tate, the recording showcases the group's ability to construct complex, layered arrangements that drive the listener through a journey of intense energy and melodic resolution. As a staple of their live performances, the track remains a testament to the band's evolution from their early thrash roots to their mature, operatic sound, cementing their legacy in the progressive metal genre.

