# Queen II

> 1974 sophomore studio album by Queen

**Wikidata**: [Q223181](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q223181)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_II)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/queen-ii

## Summary
Queen II is the sophomore studio album by the British rock band Queen, released on March 8, 1974. It serves as a foundational work in the band's discography, bridging their early hard rock roots with the progressive and art rock styles that would define their later success. The album is part of the larger compilation "The Complete Works" and features iconic tracks such as "Ogre Battle," "The March of the Black Queen," and "White Queen (As It Began)."

## Key Facts
- **Publication Date:** March 8, 1974.
- **Artist:** Queen (British rock band formed in 1970).
- **Album Type:** Sophomore studio album.
- **Genre Classification:** Encompasses rock music, art rock, hard rock, glam rock, and progressive rock.
- **Parent Compilation:** Included in the 1985 box set "The Complete Works."
- **Key Tracks:** "Seven Seas of Rhye," "Ogre Battle," "Nevermore," "The March of the Black Queen," and "White Queen (As It Began)."
- **Label Associations:** Released under the Parlophone label (German–British, founded 1896) and associated with the broader EMI ecosystem (founded 1931, dissolved 2012).
- **Sitelink Count:** The entity has a sitelink count of 49 across various language Wikipedias.
- **Wikidata Description:** Defined specifically as the "1974 sophomore studio album by Queen."

## FAQs
**When was Queen II released and what is its significance in Queen's career?**
Queen II was released on March 8, 1974, marking the band's second studio album and establishing their complex, multi-layered sound. It is considered a pivotal work that showcased the group's transition from a standard hard rock act to pioneers of art and progressive rock.

**Which record labels were involved in the release and distribution of Queen II?**
The album was released through Parlophone, a German–British label founded in 1896 that is now owned by Warner Music Group. Parlophone operated under the umbrella of EMI, a British multinational music company founded in 1931 that was dissolved in 2012 after its assets were acquired by Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group.

**What musical genres are represented on the album?**
The album incorporates a diverse range of styles including hard rock, characterized by heavy guitar riffs, and glam rock, known for its theatrical costumes and makeup. It also features elements of art rock, progressive rock, and heavy metal, reflecting the band's experimentation with unconventional tonality and time signatures.

**Which specific songs from Queen II are included in later compilations?**
Several tracks from the album, such as "Seven Seas of Rhye," "Ogre Battle," "Nevermore," "The March of the Black Queen," and "White Queen (As It Began)," were later included in the 1985 box set "The Complete Works." These songs remain central to the band's live performances and catalog.

**How does Queen II relate to the broader history of the EMI and Parlophone labels?**
Queen II represents a key release in the catalog of Parlophone, which was a subsidiary of EMI during the 1970s. EMI, headquartered in London, was one of the "Big Four" record labels and played a central role in the phonographic industry before its dissolution, leaving a legacy that includes Queen's early discography.

## Why It Matters
Queen II is a critical artifact in the history of rock music, demonstrating the rapid evolution of Queen's songwriting and production capabilities just two years after their formation. It solidified the band's reputation for theatricality and musical complexity, blending the raw energy of hard rock with the intricate compositions of progressive and art rock. The album's release under Parlophone and EMI highlights the label's historical role in nurturing iconic British artists, contributing to the cultural landscape of the 1970s. Its inclusion in "The Complete Works" ensures its preservation as a cornerstone of Queen's legacy, influencing generations of musicians who cite the album's ambitious scope and genre-bending approach as a major inspiration.

## Notable For
- Being the sophomore studio album released by Queen in 1974.
- Featuring a unique blend of hard rock, glam rock, art rock, and progressive rock genres.
- Including the hit single "Seven Seas of Rhye" and the epic suite "The March of the Black Queen."
- Serving as a primary component of the 1985 "The Complete Works" box set.
- Showcasing the songwriting prowess of Freddie Mercury, who composed tracks like "The March of the Black Queen" and "White Queen (As It Began)."
- Releasing under the historic Parlophone label, which has a lineage dating back to 1896.
- Contributing to the catalog of EMI, a major label that pioneered stereo sound and gramophone technology.
- Exhibiting the band's early adoption of glam rock aesthetics and heavy metal instrumentation.
- Achieving a high level of digital preservation with 49 sitelinks across global knowledge bases.

## Body

### Release and Publication Details
Queen II was officially published on March 8, 1974. It stands as the second studio album in the discography of the British rock band Queen. The entity is categorized specifically as a "sophomore studio album," distinguishing it from the band's debut and subsequent works. The album has been assigned a sitelink count of 49, indicating its widespread documentation across various language editions of Wikipedia. Its Wikidata description explicitly identifies it as the "1974 sophomore studio album by Queen," cementing its place in music history as a definitive early work.

### Musical Composition and Genre
The album is a rich tapestry of multiple rock subgenres, reflecting the band's versatility. It incorporates **hard rock**, a genre characterized by chordal guitar riffs and "big" drums, which emerged around 1967. Simultaneously, it embraces **glam rock**, a style that developed in the United Kingdom in the early 1970s, known for outrageous costumes, makeup, and platform shoes. The album also features **art rock**, a subgenre that began in 1968, and **progressive rock**, which started in 1967 and is known for complex structures. Additionally, elements of **heavy metal music** are present, characterized by slack-tuned instruments and unconventional changes in tonality and time signature. These genres collectively define the sonic landscape of Queen II, setting it apart from standard rock albums of the era.

### Track Listing and Key Songs
The album contains several notable tracks that have become staples of Queen's repertoire. **"Seven Seas of Rhye"** is an original song written and composed by Freddie Mercury, serving as a key single from the album. **"Ogre Battle"** is another significant Queen song included on the record. **"Nevermore"** is a 1974 song by Queen featured on the album. **"The March of the Black Queen"** is a complex, multi-part composition by Queen that showcases the band's progressive tendencies. **"White Queen (As It Began)"** is a British rock band Queen song that highlights the band's melodic sensibilities. These tracks are not only integral to the album but are also preserved in later compilations.

### Label History and Corporate Context
Queen II was released under the **Parlophone** label, a German–British record label founded in 1896 as Parlophone Communications. Parlophone was later rebranded as Parlophone Records and is currently owned by Warner Music Group. At the time of the album's release, Parlophone operated as part of **EMI** (Electric and Musical Industries Ltd.), a British multinational music recording and publishing company founded on March 31, 1931. EMI was headquartered in London and was one of the "Big Four" record companies. EMI was dissolved on January 1, 2012, with its assets acquired by Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group. The album's existence is thus tied to the historical trajectory of these major industry players, from EMI's peak employment of 15,000 people to its eventual succession by Virgin EMI Records in 1913.

### Legacy and Compilations
The enduring significance of Queen II is evidenced by its inclusion in **"The Complete Works,"** a 1985 box set by Queen. This compilation aggregates the band's major releases, ensuring that the tracks from Queen II remain accessible to new audiences. The album's tracks, such as "Seven Seas of Rhye" and "Ogre Battle," are frequently cited in discussions of Queen's early career and their evolution into one of the world's most successful rock bands. The album's connection to the broader Queen catalog, including songs by Freddie Mercury and the band as a whole, underscores its role as a foundational text in the band's artistic journey.

### Industry Impact and Classification
As a product of the phonographic industry, Queen II contributed to the development of stereo sound and the commercial success of rock music in the 1970s. The album's classification within the **rock music** genre, which has an inception date of 1948, places it within a broader historical context of popular music evolution. Its association with **Parlophone** and **EMI** highlights the label's role in signing and releasing music by iconic artists, contributing to the rich musical catalog that defines the phonographic industry. The album's release also coincides with the era when EMI was actively involved in both music production and consumer electronics, further embedding it in the technological advancements of the time.

## References

1. MusicBrainz
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. [AllMusic](https://www.allmusic.com/album/mw0000268824)