Queensryche tackles war through battlefield eyes on American Soldier
Interviews with servicemen past and present provide album's unique perspective
Interviews with servicemen past and present provide album's unique perspective
The original inspiration for American Soldier was a suggestion to
singer Geoff Tate that he compose a song about his father. That idea
blossomed into research and interviews with U.S. servicemen whose
words formed the basis for the album's character.
singer Geoff Tate that he compose a song about his father. That idea
blossomed into research and interviews with U.S. servicemen whose
words formed the basis for the album's character.
Queensryche, American Soldier (Atco Records, Rhino Entertainment), queensryche.com
By Thom Copher
If anything can be said about Queensryche, it’s that they have not relied on “hit singles"
as the primary vehicle en route to critical and commercial fame. Just about the time
(twenty-six years and counting) that one might question whether the 'Ryche can dig deep
for something potent or relevant, the band strikes with a bold statement, American
Soldier, which, thus far, ranks as the front-runner for my album of the year.
American Soldier once again finds Seattle's finest doing what they do so well – to take
an idea and spread it over the course of an entire disc. Unlike the Operation Mindcrime
series, the new disc tackles an omnipresent reality: war and those who participate
therein first hand.
Unique this time around is that singer/lyricist Geoff Tate creates his subject not from
imagination, as was the case with Mindcrime I and II, but from the words of actual war
veterans. Tate's inspiration derives from interviews conducted over several years with
service men and women (including his own father) who have revealed thoughts and
impressions spanning World War II through present-day Iraq. These observations are
molded into a central character whom we follow along his military experiences.
By Thom Copher
If anything can be said about Queensryche, it’s that they have not relied on “hit singles"
as the primary vehicle en route to critical and commercial fame. Just about the time
(twenty-six years and counting) that one might question whether the 'Ryche can dig deep
for something potent or relevant, the band strikes with a bold statement, American
Soldier, which, thus far, ranks as the front-runner for my album of the year.
American Soldier once again finds Seattle's finest doing what they do so well – to take
an idea and spread it over the course of an entire disc. Unlike the Operation Mindcrime
series, the new disc tackles an omnipresent reality: war and those who participate
therein first hand.
Unique this time around is that singer/lyricist Geoff Tate creates his subject not from
imagination, as was the case with Mindcrime I and II, but from the words of actual war
veterans. Tate's inspiration derives from interviews conducted over several years with
service men and women (including his own father) who have revealed thoughts and
impressions spanning World War II through present-day Iraq. These observations are
molded into a central character whom we follow along his military experiences.
From the album's opening cadence of “Sliver” - the Drill Sergeant's command “On your
feet!”, followed by a revelry of guitar fire – Queensryche takes us along the
rollercoaster of emotions which is military life from boot-camp through post-tour.
From “Unafraid” through “At 30,000 Feet,” “Middle of Hell,” “Man Down!” and
“Remember Me,” we see the journey from a gung-ho naivety to the realities of war,
the coming-of-age for the soldier, as it were.
Revelation is displayed on “If I were King” (the first single from Soldier) where the
soldier laments a comrade's death (“How can I pay you back when the price you paid
was so high?”); he follows that with the realization of the bigger picture of humanity
(“I've seen the horror of war and there's so much more for a man who's been where
I've been.”) from which, supposedly, war is conducted in the first place.
Perhaps the most emotional track is “Coming Home” where the soldier and his daughter
(portrayed by Tate's daughter, Emily) beckon one another, with the girl asking “Why
aren't you here?” to her father's reply “I'm coming home.” Real tear-jerker stuff,
but in no way sappy.
feet!”, followed by a revelry of guitar fire – Queensryche takes us along the
rollercoaster of emotions which is military life from boot-camp through post-tour.
From “Unafraid” through “At 30,000 Feet,” “Middle of Hell,” “Man Down!” and
“Remember Me,” we see the journey from a gung-ho naivety to the realities of war,
the coming-of-age for the soldier, as it were.
Revelation is displayed on “If I were King” (the first single from Soldier) where the
soldier laments a comrade's death (“How can I pay you back when the price you paid
was so high?”); he follows that with the realization of the bigger picture of humanity
(“I've seen the horror of war and there's so much more for a man who's been where
I've been.”) from which, supposedly, war is conducted in the first place.
Perhaps the most emotional track is “Coming Home” where the soldier and his daughter
(portrayed by Tate's daughter, Emily) beckon one another, with the girl asking “Why
aren't you here?” to her father's reply “I'm coming home.” Real tear-jerker stuff,
but in no way sappy.
Queensryche are no strangers to concept albums. Their Operation
Mindcrime series is one of the most successful concept presentations.
Mindcrime series is one of the most successful concept presentations.
The band sounds vigorously symphonic throughout. Guitarist Michael Wilton
(handling all band-credited ax-work this time around) supplies clean, intricate
passages interwoven into the distorted overlay to create, along with Eddie
Jackson (bass) and Scott Rockenfeld (drums), that unmistakable Queensryche
sound. Geoff Tate, whom I file in the Top-5 All-Time Vocalists ranks, reaches
an operatic pinnacle, his voice shifting between sheer power and subtle.
The passion which Soldier's story is told is personal to Tate as a lyricist – he
obvioulsy made deep connections during his interview sessions. Sui generis, here,
is that actual recorded thoughts from his discussions are interlaced throughout
the songs which give the compositions a realistic element which could otherwise not
have been conveyed – suffice it to say, this is not a case of outsiders looking in.
My take sums up like this: American Soldier arguably ranks as the most important
modern-era album to tackle the “war” theme by the distinct perspective which it
takes. Some may think this album presents some sort of left-wing, anti-war
statement, given the latter-day-to-post-Bush climate where civilian favor for
US. involvement in the Middle East has waned. However, statement as it is, the
sentiment is one of understanding the people who fight the war rather than the
(handling all band-credited ax-work this time around) supplies clean, intricate
passages interwoven into the distorted overlay to create, along with Eddie
Jackson (bass) and Scott Rockenfeld (drums), that unmistakable Queensryche
sound. Geoff Tate, whom I file in the Top-5 All-Time Vocalists ranks, reaches
an operatic pinnacle, his voice shifting between sheer power and subtle.
The passion which Soldier's story is told is personal to Tate as a lyricist – he
obvioulsy made deep connections during his interview sessions. Sui generis, here,
is that actual recorded thoughts from his discussions are interlaced throughout
the songs which give the compositions a realistic element which could otherwise not
have been conveyed – suffice it to say, this is not a case of outsiders looking in.
My take sums up like this: American Soldier arguably ranks as the most important
modern-era album to tackle the “war” theme by the distinct perspective which it
takes. Some may think this album presents some sort of left-wing, anti-war
statement, given the latter-day-to-post-Bush climate where civilian favor for
US. involvement in the Middle East has waned. However, statement as it is, the
sentiment is one of understanding the people who fight the war rather than the
cause itself. If anything, it is a tributary salute to those, past and present, whose jobs are inconceivable outside of the military fraternity.
American Soldier carries the grand sound which is trademark to the band and carries it across the storyline like a well thought out
soundtrack, bringing the heaviness of metal together with the contrasts of subtleties and aggression which represent the array of emotions
which the character experiences throughout his journey. I've always considered Queensryche to represent “intelligent metal,” which is in no
way meant to suggest that the band wusses-out in any way. Tate and company deliver a heaping pile of heaviness with much more to cling on
to than innuendo and catchy choruses. Bottom line, if American Soldier doesn't get a Grammy nod, the committee should be court-martialed.
(An excellent song-by-song description by Geoff Tate can be found in transcript form at Queensryche's official website - go here. If you
choose to experience these in video format, go here. With this format, you can really get the feel for the conviction, honesty and passion
which Geoff feels for this project. It's a brilliant introspective opportunity which, I feel, will surely add to your enjoyment of and admiration
for this remarkable album. Geoff, Michael, Eddie and Scott... YOU GUYS RULE!!!)
American Soldier carries the grand sound which is trademark to the band and carries it across the storyline like a well thought out
soundtrack, bringing the heaviness of metal together with the contrasts of subtleties and aggression which represent the array of emotions
which the character experiences throughout his journey. I've always considered Queensryche to represent “intelligent metal,” which is in no
way meant to suggest that the band wusses-out in any way. Tate and company deliver a heaping pile of heaviness with much more to cling on
to than innuendo and catchy choruses. Bottom line, if American Soldier doesn't get a Grammy nod, the committee should be court-martialed.
(An excellent song-by-song description by Geoff Tate can be found in transcript form at Queensryche's official website - go here. If you
choose to experience these in video format, go here. With this format, you can really get the feel for the conviction, honesty and passion
which Geoff feels for this project. It's a brilliant introspective opportunity which, I feel, will surely add to your enjoyment of and admiration
for this remarkable album. Geoff, Michael, Eddie and Scott... YOU GUYS RULE!!!)