Alpha Exploration

As mention in a prior post, I’ve been a fan of Queensryche since their very early days back in the 1980′s with their debut EP.

Besides King Diamond, they have been one of my favorite groups to put out concept albums, they do it well, with 1988′s Operation: Mindcrime being their shining star, often compared and grouped in with such works as The Wall and Tommy.

I personally have seen Queensryche in concert on two occasions, one of which where they opened for Metallica, which still is one of my favorite concerts of all time.

If you were to ask me, starting with 1997′s Here In The Now Frontier and on through Operation: Mindcrime II, they have not been the same. Geoff Tate has always been one of my favorite singers ever, but the music wasn’t the same, and as a fan, it seemed like they didn’t put the feeling and emotion into it that they did when they were younger.

I do not speak for 2007′s Take Cover, as quite frankly, I haven’t heard it.

Fast forward two years to this years American Soldier.  When I heard it was another concept album, this time about war, World War II mostly, veterans, and the like, I admit to being somewhat excited.  I hoped they would deliver, both for who they were as a band, and being one of the few bands who, in my opinion, can deliver a concept album very well.

I was not disappointed.

I had the fortune that my birthday was near its release, and my sister managed to meet the band at a signing and scored me an autographed copy of the CD.

Can I say it’s as good as Operation: Mindcrime?  No.  But it’s damn close.  The special quest vocals, Geoff’s voice, the music and interview pieces, and even the lyrics are reflective of a matured style and production.  The 11th song of the album, Home Again, is one that is now on day two of repeat in my car CD player and just an amazing piece.  Tate admits to not writing about his own views this time around, but about other people’s stories, and it comes through nicely in the new tracks which is quite a change for Tate.  Only peaking in the 25th spot on the Billboard top 100 (for perspective, Operation: Mindcrime only peaked at the 50th spot), this album is still very much worth checking out.

“Welcome to the show!”