American Soldier
Queensrÿche · 2009
60 min · 12 tracks · heavy metal
A visceral exploration of wartime experiences, blending heavy metal with poignant storytelling and emotional depth.
Top tracks — play these first
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Sliver Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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Hundred Mile Stare — This track captures the overwhelming feelings of disorientation and trauma experienced by soldiers returning home, showcasing the album's thematic core through haunting melodies and evocative lyrics.
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Man Down! — With its aggressive instrumentation combined with a narrative reflecting on loss and guilt, this song stands out as an intense representation of the emotional struggles faced by military personnel.
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Remember Me — This track poignantly conveys themes of memory and the longing for connection, encapsulating the personal sacrifices made by soldiers in a reflective and heartfelt manner.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album effectively combines narrative depth with varied instrumentation, though it may not resonate widely beyond its genre.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent narrative structure, with each track exploring different aspects of the soldier's experience.
- Several tracks incorporate spoken word segments, enhancing the storytelling element and providing context to the lyrics.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady pacing with emotional depth
- poignant storytelling through music
- reflective moments of soldier's psyche
- haunting themes of sacrifice
- immersive journey through experiences
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification
- prefer upbeat party vibes
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Deep Cut — Explores themes of war with a unique narrative, appealing to dedicated fans.
- Themes
- combat trauma· military sacrifice· homecoming disorientation
- Career context
- Released on March 31, 2009, 'American Soldier' was Queensrÿche's twelfth studio album, following their 2007 release 'Take Cover'. At this point in their career, the band was navigating a resurgence in interest while addressing themes of military service and personal sacrifice, marking a shift towards more conceptual storytelling in their music.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Dream Theater· Fates Warning· Symphony X
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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If I Were King
The verse shifts from vivid recollections of battlefield experiences to contemplations of leadership and responsibility.
This transition underscores the duality of power and vulnerability, emphasizing how those who lead often carry the heaviest burdens.
Tracklist
- 1 Sliver Start here 3:09
- 2 Unafraid 4:47
- 3 Hundred Mile Stare 4:31
- 4 At 30,000 ft. 5:11
- 5 A Dead Man's Words 6:35
- 6 The Killer 5:26
- 7 Middle of Hell 5:28
- 8 If I Were King 5:17
- 9 Man Down! 4:57
- 10 Remember Me 5:00
- 11 Home Again 4:41
- 12 The Voice 5:29
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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