Queensryche was mysterious, regal, above the hair bands of the 80s, on par with Maiden and Priest. They were the ‘thinking man’s’ band, a mix of digestible metal while still progressive … a more melodic Rush, if not quite as gifteds musicians.

The fall from grace came with the departure of DeGarmo. HITNF? What was that? How could song writing, melody and production abandon a band simultaneously? If defies the laws of physics. That surely must have been the last straw of DeGarmo who went to pursue a career in aviation. And with him went any chance getting even a decent song out of the band.

Why would I spend a moment of time trying to find a hook, a decent lyric…..a cool run, when so many other bands are out making good music that has exceptional production value from bands who still have ‘fire in the belly?’

I don’t say this as a knock against anyone who finds inspiration or value in their music because that’s a personal thing. I say it to vent for years of frustration with this band who was without a doubt my #1 for a decade … followed closely by Metallica (who’ve had similar struggles) and Maiden, who still do what they do best.

Unfortunately for me, the band has been reduced to peddlers of alcoholic beverages, drum wraps and t-shirts. They pull out the oldies to attract an audience to the shows but, without a decent buzz (probably why they play so many HOBs), they barely sound better than good tribute band. Even live there is no conviction in the music. Just going through the motions.

I’m sad for them but sad for me, too … I would buy good music. But for the last decade, I wouldn’t even take the time to download a single song free from Limewire, let alone part with a thin dime.

There is no need to ‘review’ American Soldier. It’s the same song and dance as has been for years … wandering melodies incoherently strung together, drums who sound no better than the days they used to drop a mic in the middle of the room and played as if to just get through the track … and guitarists who sound more like studio musicians playing notes written by a 14 year old, scribbling out his first riffs. No dynamics. No melodies…worse, anti-melodies, if there is such a thing. Nothing memorable except to get to the end so you can get up and walk away and wonder how you could voluntarily waste an hour of time.

For a band that could have been the next Pink Floyd on the backs of just the albums from the 80s, they sullied their legacy by wandering in the desert. Let’s only hope it won’t be for 40 years.

Steve
Heavy Metal Addiction

As a long time fan I have been checking out the releases QR has put out since Chris Degarmo left the band. In most instances I found the music lacking the complexity that Chris seemed to bring to songs. Perhaps this was by design as the band tried to move away from the earlier sounds. Perhaps it was the production and engineering budgets that dissapeared when their record label went under.

This is perhaps their best effort since those days. Its starting to draw on those epic qualities that made OMC, Empire and Promised Land so rich and deep.

Give this one some extra time…throw on the headphones and just listen. I think it will grow on you.