LOS ANGELES — You never heard the word “Queensryche” on Thursday, Feb. 4, but the good news, at least for Geoff Tate, was that no one needed to.Yes, Tate lost the battle in 2014 for rights to the name in a court settlement with the other members now forging on as Queensryche without the iconic founding singer.

But Mr. Tate has not lost the war.There he was in his (nearly)-bald, resplendent glory for a concert at Canyon Club, and a near-capacity crowd embraced Tate totally.

He is now billing his act at Operation: Mindcrime, but that stuff is all semantics: Nearly all of the 22 songs were Queensryche selections, and the hard truth is, there is room in this world for two Queensryches (maybe not THREE, like Ratt — all without Warren DeMartini, amazingly — but that’s a different issue), and so Tate forges on.

This particular concert built itself in layers, starting first with a series of deep cuts like “Screaming in Digital,” “I Am I” and “One More Time Around.”
The room was pretty full, and Tate, 57, was getting good energy from a tight band, led by veteran drummer Simon Wright.

“Jet City Woman” came about 25 minutes in, and that’s when the room started really heating up. Tate fits into the pop-metal category, but he was never from the David Lee Roth school, preferring always to put the execution first and the the panache second.

Nothing has changed in that regard, but Tate is still a compelling figure. He sings better than 99 percent of his compatriots, and though Queensryche songs don’t have the sing-along choruses like the Motley Crues and AC/DCs of the world, they’re definitely distinctive — a musicians’ favorite kind of deal, like Dream Theatre or even Rush.

“Silent Lucidity” absolutely killed. “Eyes of a Stranger” proved riveting. “Empire” closed the proceedings with a hard fist.

Tate has a reputation for being moody, yet backstage afterward, he was all smiles.

Metal Sludge asked Tate if he enjoys playing in Los Angeles.”Is this L.A.?” he laughed. “Yeah, OK. I like it here. I really do.”

He has an impressive supporting cast, too. Kelly Gray plays guitar, and he has a cool Amish-style image (including a brimmed hat). John Moyer, the bass player, was energetic and helped provide a tight rhythm section.

Opening act Crack In The Shell was good, too.

A power trio with a knack for catchy songs, the group is on the way up after also succeeding as an opening act for Loverboy this past fall on the very same stage.

The group features a compelling singer named Daniel Allen, who proved in fine voice. The other members are shiny-topped James McFadden (bass/keys) and Jason Russo (drums).

The group showcased some alluring originals and finished with a well-executed version of Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance.”

Gerry Gittelson can be reached at gerryg123@hotmail.com.