Along with Geoff Tate's dramatic voice, audio from American soldiers is interspersed among the songs, giving them a chance to tell their own story. Fortunately, this is all built on the strength of some solid songs. The first two tracks seem like fragments � tools to help set the mood. However, by the third track, "Hundred Mile Stare," the band is in full swing with an excellent song that would fit well, and outclass, anything on modern rock radio today.

Do not be alarmed by the modern rock comment, the next song "At 30,000 FT" is a prime slab of classic Queensryche.

One after another, each song follows in the Queensryche tradition, heavy riffing, dramatic vocals and thundering drums. There are no surprises, just exactly what Queensryche fans love.

The soldier audio is disarming and often shakes the mood of the record, which is probably what was intended. Lyrically, Tate alters between slogans, and plain, sincere declarations. He is best somewhere in the middle on songs like "Man Down!" Half shouting fury, half melody.