Queen II Reimagined: Deluxe Edition Box Set Announced

The legendary band Queen is set to release a deluxe box set of their groundbreaking second album, Queen II, this spring. The release, titled Queen II Reimagined: Deluxe Collector’s Edition, will be available on CD, LP, and digitally on March 27.

This extensive collection celebrates the album that spawned the hit single "Seven Seas of Rhye" and features the iconic cover shot by Mick Rock. The box set is packed with previously unreleased takes, instrumental versions, BBC recordings, and live renditions of the album's tracks.

A highlight of the release is a new remix of the original album by Justin Shirley-Smith, Joshua J. Macrae, and Kris Fredriksson. Their goal was to enhance the clarity of the original recordings, addressing the limitations of the equipment at the time. Shirley-Smith explained, "Rather than add anything, we wanted to reveal more of what was there and get that desired sound."

Originally released on March 8, 1974, Queen II marked a significant step in Queen's artistic evolution. The album showcased the band's ambition, blending heavy metal and prog rock elements across its two distinct sides, "Side White" and "Side Black." Tracks like "Ogre Battle" and "White Queen (As It Began)" became staples of their live performances throughout the 1970s. "Seven Seas of Rhye," with Freddie Mercury's signature piano flourishes, became their first UK hit. The album's influence resonated with artists like Axl Rose, Billy Corgan, and Judas Priest’s Rob Halford, all of whom have praised its impact.

Brian May reflected on the album's significance, stating, "Queen II was the single biggest leap we ever made. That’s when we really started making music the way we wanted to, rather than the way we were being pushed into recording it."

Roger Taylor added, "With Queen II, I couldn’t believe how much work we put into it. I think we felt we were evolving our own sound. We were pioneering this sort of multitracking thing. It gave you a tremendous palette, massive choral effects with just three of us singing."

The collection also includes alternate takes and outtakes from the Trident Studios sessions, offering a glimpse into the band's creative process. Among the rarities are Brian May's 1969 demo of "As It Began," which later evolved into "White Queen," and Taylor's two demos for "Loser in the End." Another notable inclusion is "Not for Sale (Polar Bear)," a track that Queen worked on during the Queen II sessions but never completed. May offered a sneak peek of this track around Christmas during a radio broadcast.

The "backing tracks" disc provides instrumental versions of all the songs, highlighting the band's exceptional musicianship. The "At the BBC" disc features sessions recorded with John Peel and Bob Harris in 1973 and 1974. The final disc contains live recordings of every song from Queen II performed at concerts across England in 1974 and 1975. The box set is accompanied by a 112-page book, featuring outtakes from Rock's cover shoot, handwritten lyrics, musical notations, journal entries, letters, and other memorabilia from the era.

Last fall, May and Taylor discussed the making of "Bohemian Rhapsody" with Rolling Stone. They also hinted at future plans for the band, with May expressing interest in performing at the Sphere. "I’m very keen on the Sphere," May said. "It’s got my mind working. I sat there watching the Eagles, thinking, ‘We should do this. The stuff that we could bring to this would be stupendous.’ So, yeah, I would like to do it. We’re having conversations."

Queen II Reimagined: Deluxe Collector’s Edition track list:

Disc One: Queen II — 2026 Mix

1. “Procession”
2. “Father to Son”
3. “White Queen (As It Began)”
4. “Some Day One Day”
5. “The Loser in the End”
6. “Ogre Battle”
7. “The Fairy Feller’s Master-Stroke”
8. “Nevermore”
9. “The March of the Black Queen”

1. “Funny How Love Is”
2. “Seven Seas of Rhye”

Disc Two: Queen II — Sessions

1. “Procession” (Stage Intro Tape — April 1973)
2. “Father to Son” (Takes 4 & 9 — with Guide Vocal)
3. “As It Began” (Brian’s Studio Demo — October 1969)
4. “Some Day One Day” (Take 1 — with Guide Vocals)
5. “The Loser in the End” (Roger’s First Demo)
6. “The Loser in the End” (Roger’s Second Demo)
7. “Ogre Battle” (Takes 2 & 6 — with Guide Vocal)
8. “The Fairy Feller’s Master-Stroke” (Takes 4 & 9)
9. “Nevermore” (Take 6)
10. “The March of the Black Queen” (First Section Takes 3 & 5)
11. “The March of the Black Queen” (Second Section Take 1)
12. “Funny How Love Is” (Take 4)
13. “Seven Seas of Rhye” (Takes 4, 5 & 6)
14. “I Do Like to Be Beside the Seaside” (Take 4)
15. “See What a Fool I’ve Been” (B-side Version — 2026 Mix)
16. “Not for Sale (Polar Bear)”

Disc Three: Queen II — Backing Tracks

1. “Procession”
2. “Father to Son”
3. “White Queen (As It Began)”
4. “Some Day One Day”
5. “The Loser in the End”
6. “Ogre Battle”
7. “The Fairy Feller’s Master-Stroke”
8. “Nevermore”
9. “The March of the Black Queen”
10. “Funny How Love Is”
11. “Seven Seas of Rhye”

Disc Four: Queen II — At The BBC

1. “See What a Fool I’ve Been” (BBC Session 2, July 1973 — 2011 Mix)
2. “Ogre Battle” (BBC Session 3, December 1973)
3. “Nevermore” (BBC Session 4, April 1974)
4. “White Queen (As It Began)” (BBC Session 4, April 1974)
5. “Procession — Intro Tape” (Live at Golders Green Hippodrome, Sept. 13, 1973)
6. “Father to Son” (Live at Golders Green Hippodrome, Sept. 13, 1973)
7. “Son and Daughter” (Live at Golders Green Hippodrome, Sept. 13, 1973)
8. “Guitar Solo” (Live at Golders Green Hippodrome, Sept. 13, 1973)
9. “Son and Daughter — Reprise” (Live at Golders Green Hippodrome, Sept. 13, 1973)
10. “Ogre Battle” (Live at Golders Green Hippodrome, Sept. 13, 1973)
11. “Liar” (Live at Golders Green Hippodrome, Sept. 13, 1973)
12. “Jailhouse Rock” (Live at Golders Green Hippodrome, Sept. 13, 1973)

Disc Five: Queen II — Live

1. “Procession” — Intro Tape (Live at the Rainbow, March 1974)
2. “Father to Son” (Live at the Rainbow, March 1974)
3. “Ogre Battle” (Live at the Rainbow, March 1974)
4. “White Queen (As It Began)” (Live at the Hammersmith Odeon, December 1975)
5. “The March of the Black Queen” (Live at the Rainbow, March 1974)
6. “The Fairy Feller’s Master-Stroke” (Live at the Rainbow, March 1974)
7. “Seven Seas of Rhye” (Live at the Rainbow, March 1974)
8. “See What a Fool I’ve Been” (Live at the Rainbow, March 1974)

---

Related Articles

• Foo Fighters Debut 'Your Favorite Toy' with Jake Shears on 'Graham Norton'
• Steve Perry Crushes Journey Reunion Dreams: 'Rumors Are Simply Not True'
• Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band Announce 2026 U.S. Tour: 'Land of Hope and Dreams'

---

Related Articles

• Springsteen's 'Land of Hope and Dreams' Tour: A Rock 'n' Rebellion Across America