AMERICAN SOLDIER

Right now listening to American Soldier by Queensryche, so this review is basically my first impression, and as you Rÿche fans out there know, thier albums are not always immediate and it takes time and repeated listenings to grow on you. My first reaction as i listen is that this album is a lot more subdued, sombre and mid-paced than Operation Mindcrime II. Of course this dark and ominous mood is due to the heavy subject and concept of war. Something similar happened to me after Empire, the most commercially successful and accesible Queensrÿche album, being followed by the obscure and moody Promised Land. At first it was a bit of a shock, but then it became another favorite of mine. That same situation is repeating 15 years later. At first listen, American Soldier seems a bit stark, very atmospheric, full of sound effects and soldiers voices, occasional Saxophone by G. Tate ( I guess), with only mid-tempo and slow songs. Perhaps is a mistake to hear and review a new album with the closest reference of its predecessor. In this perspective, American Soldier is a noticeable contrast to Operation Mindcrime II ( A great, varied album that makes justice to the first OM), and the other Queensrÿche album it resembles the most, is the aforementioned Promised Land. But of course I will continue listening to it several times and im sure eventually it will grow on me as every other Queensrÿche album has.