Queen II, released in March 1974, is Queen’s second studio album. Recorded at London’s Trident Studios in August 1973, it was co-produced by Roy Thomas Baker and Robin Cable and engineered by Mike Stone.

The original LP divided its programme into “Side White” and “Side Black”, with corresponding photographs of the band. The White Side generally favours more personal themes, while the Black Side draws heavily on fantasy imagery. Mick Rock’s cover portrait later reappeared in Queen’s visual work, notably the 1975 video for Bohemian Rhapsody.

Although its initial reception was mixed, the album developed a sustained following. Its layered overdubs, vocal harmonies and stylistic range anticipate features that became associated with Queen’s later recordings.

Tracklist:

Procession
Father to Son
White Queen (As It Began)
Some Day One Day
The Loser in the End
Ogre Battle
The Fairy Feller’s Master-Stroke
Nevermore
The March of the Black Queen
Funny How Love Is
Seven Seas of Rhye

Legend: Side A / Side B – Record Company – Catalogue number – Country (Year) ~ Notes