PROMISED LAND

This will probably be the last QUEENSRYCHE album I review. This will be the sixth review I have done of their recordings. I rate this one as the fourth or fifth best, so yes, this one isn't one of my favourites from them. One thing that has bothered me for a while is how these guys (who I do like a lot) could have been so successful commercially, when a band like FATES WARNING never were. In my opinion QUEENSRYCHE aren't even close to being the band that FATES WARNING are. Maybe that isn't such a bad thing though, because that is sort of what the title of this album is all about. As Geoff Tate says "Reaching the "Promised Land" is a metaphor for obtaining the American Dream of prosperity, materialism and the happiness one derives from the ownership of things. The manufactured image constantly sold to us that materialism will make us happy is, I suppose, the only REAL THING in our society of simulation and consumption." Geoff Tate went into this recording disallusioned about the fact that the band, because of the success of "Empire" were now rock stars, which seemed to preclude them from being artists. QUEENSRYCHE was now a business. It's not a surprise then, with Tate taking the lead on this album, that it would become a dark and melancholic record. And that is why I implied that it's probably a good thing that my favourite metal band FATES WARNING haven't become rock stars, because they just keep releasing amazing albums, and they make the music they want to make.

I really like the first half of this record, then it goes down hill for me. "9:28 AM" is really samples of sounds in a hospital and of a baby being born. "I Am I" is one of the best tracks on the record. Just a great sound to this one,especially Tate's vocals on the chorus. I love the drumming and the tasteful guitar solo 2 1/2 minutes in. "Damaged" is another solid tune with catchy riffs and screaming guitar 3 1/2 minutes in. "Out Of Mind" is a beautiful, dark song with reserved vocals, light drums and acoustic guitar. "Bridge" is a straight forward tune with meaningful lyrics about a son and father relationship.

"Promised Land" is PINK FLOYD influenced. This song opens with lots of atmosphere before becoming intense with some good guitar. "Dis Con Nect Ted" has some samples and the vocals are almost spoken as dark sounding guitar melodies play.The drums sound good late. "Lady Jane" opens with children singing, piano and deep vocals. Then it becomes more like a power ballad actually. "My Global Mind" has more energy as well as more samples 3 minutes in. "One More Time" sounds really good after 3 minutes when the guitar comes in. "Someone Else ?" features fragile vocals and piano. One of the best tracks on the album.

This almost seems like a farewell album but it's not. There certainly is enough good material on this record to recommend it.