Queensryche's problem with making albums will always be that they will never be as unforgettable as their epic masterpiece ‘Operation Mindcrime’ (1988). At least that's what the majority of tock fans around the world think. But as in many other contradictive cases, this is not completely true. First, Queensryche have executed at least a half a dozen great records (with ‘Rage For Order’, ‘Promised Land’ and ‘Empire’ amongst them) and second, their attempts at innovation were not only attempts and only occasional. While many people consider ‘Operation Mindcrime’ rather an extraordinary exclusion, die-hard fans will tell you that it could have not be created by people, who lack the talent and ambition to do it. True, for many years now Queensryche have stopped being that exciting and that innovative. They should have taken the blame for trying to exhumate their success by resurrecting the ‘Mindcrime’ idea in 2006 and never learning from their own mistakes. But then this might be the same band, but not the same people (I mean, yeah, they are almost the same persons apart from the departed De Garmo), but not the same heavy metal stars as they were in the end of the 80's. And that's why all credits for being true to themselves should immediately go to their newest concept album ‘American Soldier’. It's Queensryche's first attempt in many years to live up with what they are at the moment and creating music from contemporary perspective. As a result ‘American Soldier’ is a mixed bag with obvious signes that the band is coming back to previous top-class form, forgotten by many after the disastrous ‘Q2K’, ‘Tribe’ and that (don't even remind me) awful cover versions record. While ‘Silver’ sounds almost like a rap metal song with no proper direction, ‘Hundred Miles Stare’ and ‘Man Down!’ are enjoyable tracks in the vein of what Queensryche do best in their latest period- good, mid tempo rock with prog elements. I wouldn't compare ‘American Soldier’ to any other album of the band, but if you want a hint, I'd say ‘The Promised Land’. The story behind this new album might seem like a well worn out cliche as it tells war and post war tales of helplessness, social adaptation and nightmares. As I said before, it's not a breathtaking experience to listen to ‘American Soldier’. It's not experimental like ‘Hear In The Now Frontier’ was, nor it's full of easy listenable songs like ‘Empire’. It's more of an afterthought of the band's recent career- may be a little too long, but very sensible and artistic. There surely is something about it and it is worth digging and listening, because ‘American Soldier’, even if not being a flawless album, might end up as a grower. Whether you will decide to give it a chance or not, is another story though.