Editing Queensrÿche (section)

===1994–1997: ''Promised Land'', ''Hear in the Now Frontier'', and DeGarmo's departure===
After taking time off to deal with the [[Occupational burnout|burnout]] resulting from the "Building Empires" tour and with other personal issues, the band released ''[[Promised Land (Queensrÿche album)|Promised Land]]'' in October 1994 (a companion [[CD-ROM]], featuring a ''Promised Land''-themed game and other interactive features, was released in March 1996). It was a dark and personal album, reflecting the mental state of the band at the time. Although the album debuted at No.&nbsp;3 and was eventually certified platinum, it was not the commercial success ''Empire'' had been. As with many other heavy metal and hard rock acts, Queensrÿche's commercial fortunes waned with the surge in popularity of genres such as [[alternative rock]] and [[grunge]].

Queensrÿche released their sixth full-length studio album, ''[[Hear in the Now Frontier]]'', in March 1997, to mixed critical and fan reception. The album debuted at No.&nbsp;19 but quickly vanished from the charts. [[Toby Wright]], who produced [[Alice in Chains]]’ self-titled 1995 album, was brought on board for this effort as engineer. The result was a sound that was more dry and stripped-down than the band's previous material.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-04-01|title=Queensryche-Hear-in-the-Now-Frontier/|url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/57445/Queensryche-Hear-in-the-Now-Frontier/}}</ref>

Compounding the disappointing sales of the album were issues that plagued the band on the subsequent tour. Less than one month into the ''Hear in the Now Frontier'' tour, Tate became seriously ill and the band was forced to cancel concert dates for the first time. In an even bigger blow, the band's longtime label, [[EMI America Records]], went bankrupt during the same period. Queensrÿche was forced to use its own money to finance the remaining two months of the tour. The band played a handful of December shows in South America because of contractual obligations, and it was during this time, late 1997,<ref name="chris_left">{{cite web |url=http://scream.org/2000/02/29/screaming-in-digital-issue-263/ |title=Why Chris Left: An Answer |last=Birchall |first=Dan |publisher=Screaming in Digital issue 263 |date=February 29, 2000 |access-date=April 24, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130615211026/http://scream.org/2000/02/29/screaming-in-digital-issue-263/ |archive-date=June 15, 2013 }}</ref> that founding member Chris DeGarmo announced he was leaving Queensrÿche. However, his departure was not announced to the public until January 24, 1998.<ref name="chris_left2">{{cite web |url=http://scream.org/1998/01/31/screaming-in-digital-issue-234/ |title=Best of Luck, Chris DeGarmo! |publisher=Screaming in Digital issue 234 |date=January 31, 1998 |access-date=May 2, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130615211020/http://scream.org/1998/01/31/screaming-in-digital-issue-234/ |archive-date=June 15, 2013 }}</ref> Members of the band have later cited burnout and a desire to pursue interests outside of Queensrÿche as reasons for his departure.<ref name="morsels">Waterbury, Mark E. (Aug. 2003).[http://www.serge.org/musicmorsels0803.htm "Crossroads: Scott Rockenfield – Queensrÿche's Drummer"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070311033405/http://www.serge.org/musicmorsels0803.htm |date=March 11, 2007 }}. ''Music Morsels''. Retrieved April 24, 2006.</ref><ref name="rathole">Dargon, Kieran. [http://www.rathole.com/fireworks/04/queensryche.asp Geoff Tate interview] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060519044932/http://www.rathole.com/fireworks/04/queensryche.asp |date=May 19, 2006 }}. ''The RatHole – Fireworks Magazine''. Retrieved April 24, 2006.</ref> For example, Rockenfield has said: "He wanted to pursue other things. He felt like he had done what he wanted musically in his life, and wanted to move on."<ref name="soi_rockenfield">{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oQmDRYHFkM | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211104/7oQmDRYHFkM| archive-date=2021-11-04 | url-status=live|title=Scott Rockenfield (Queensryche) 2013 Interview on the Signals of Intuition |date=May 25, 2013 |access-date=June 14, 2013 |work=The Signals of Intuition |publisher=99.1 CJAM-FM}}{{cbignore}}</ref> After leaving Queensrÿche, DeGarmo began a full-time career as a professional [[business jet]] pilot. His involvement with music has since been sporadic. He remains highly regarded in the eyes of Queensrÿche's fan base.