Queensrÿche

Palace Theater, Thursday

Here they come again. The band who brought you the defining work of the metal-opera genre—that is, about the only metal-opera we can think of, 1988’s Operation: Mindcrime—are back with a sequel to their masterwork (titled, of course, Operation: Mindcrime II). Not that anybody was waiting for it—the band had far greater success with the pop-metal outing Empire two years later—but we’ve got to credit them for having a vision, even if the “plot” is as impossible-to-follow as ever. They played the first Mindcrime as the second act of their performance at Northern Lights last winter; now the Seattle rockers take the whole shebang—that’s parts one and two—to the much bigger stage at the Palace. We raise an umlaut in their honor: Metröland says, “Here’s to Queensrÿche!” (Nov. 2, 8 PM, $30-$40, 19 Clinton Ave., Albany, 465-3334)

Peter, Paul and Mary

Proctor’s Theatre, Friday

Peter, Paul and Mary, one of the most popular folk groups of the 1960s, are no spring chickens. Emerging as a folk-revival trio in a time when the political climate provided high demand for their music, the three young activists quickly amassed a following that’s become almost legendary. Their recording of Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind” is arguably as well-known and cherished as the original. The trio have forged a career that has weathered more than four decades, including a brief separation in the late ’70s, and a fair share of controversy. (We’ve all debated what “Puff the Magic Dragon” was really all about—and when the dangers of marijuana use were first making some headlines, many radio stations boycotted the beloved ditty for fear of its impact on impressionable youth.) Having stood alongside such figures as Martin Luther King Jr., while earning spot after spot on the Billboard Music Chart with catchy hits, Peter, Paul and Mary are beloved symbols of both their genre and their generation. (Nov. 3, 8 PM, $19.75-$52.75, 432 State St., Schenectady, 346-6204 )

Rascal Flatts

Rascal Flatts

Pepsi Arena, Friday

Youthful country music renegades the Rascal Flatts have a lot of reasons to celebrate these days: The trio are nominated for two American Music Awards (for best group and for best album), and they were invited to perform at the awards show; and member Joe Don Rooney is featured in the November issue of People magazine as one of “Country’s 25 Hottest Stars.” The group are known for their pop-inflected country tunes and their appeal to a younger demographic. The Rascal Flatts will bring their Me and My Gang Tour to the Pepsi Arena tomorrow night; special guests Gary Allan and Taylor Swift will open the show. (Nov. 3, 8 PM, $60, 51 S. Pearl St., Albany, 487-2000)

The Duhks

Club helsinki, Friday

Canadian wonders the Duhks (pronounced “ducks,” not “dukes”) have gleefully splashed their way into American hearts (and living rooms, courtesy a super-popular video, “Out of the Rain” being aired constantly on CMT’s Top 20 Countdown) over the past couple of years with their contemporary brand of folk-soulgrass. The quintet released their new album, Migrations, in mid-September, to glowing reviews. Don McLeese wrote for Amazon.com that on the album, “while a pair of instrumental medleys highlight the musicians’ acoustic virtuosity, the soulful vocals of Jessee Havey and their ability to fashion songs from a variety of sources into such a cohesive whole distinguish the Duhks from folk acts, jam bands, or any other musical category.” The Duhks will bring their unique sound to Club Helsinki tomorrow (Friday); special guest Rex Moroux will open. (Nov. 3, 9 PM, $15, 284 Main St., Great Barrington, Mass., 413-528-3394)

Sonny Fortune Quartet

WAMC Performing Arts Studio, Friday

Tenor—and, occasionally, alto—saxman Sonny Fortune is old-school. He was heavily influenced by John Coltrane and the Philly R&B scene in which he began his career. He played with Miles Davis in the funk-jazz era of the mid-’70s, and has released a string of well-received albums on A&M, Blue Note and, most recently, on Shanachie (In the Spirit of John Coltrane). So, he knows the history of the last three decades of jazz from the inside out, and continues to collaborate with, and hold the respect of, jazz’s biggest names. This makes his quartet gig at the WAMC Performing Arts Studio tomorrow night a must for true jazz aficionados. Plus, the folks at the Linda promise a Q&A with Fortune after the show. (Nov. 3, 8 PM, $25, 339 Central Ave., Albany, 465-5233 ext. 4)

Celtic Frost, Goatwhore

Revolution Hall, Saturday

The likelihood that there will be a show any more metal than this one, any time this year, is slim to none. Celtic Frost’s lineup features Tom Gabriel Fisher, the founder of metal legends Hellhammer. In one of the most metal moves ever made, Fisher changed his last name to Warrior to throw himself into the metal fray (since then the Ultimate Warrior has legally changed his name to Warrior Warrior). Unfortunately for Celtic Frost, they may be out-metaled by touring partners Goatwhore, who are one of the most metal bands ever born on American soil. Goatwhore feature members of Louisiana legends Soilent Green and Acid Bath. Their sound is somewhere between early black metal and the ugliest doom metal you’ve ever heard. Girls and boys, grow your beards out long before the show, and strap on your ass- kicking boots and spiked wrist bands, ’cause this one’s gonna be dirty. (Nov. 4, 7:30 PM, $20, 425 River St., Troy, 274-0553)

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