Queensryche: Promised Land. (EMI Records)
Is this the musical “promised land” we had hoped for from Queensryche? In many aspects, it is not. But Queensryche’s long-awaited new release, Promised Land, does deliver on certain levels.
Queensryche was one of the first bands out of Seattle, and the group’s sound has little in common with the grunge that followed. Queensryche is known for guitar-based, straight-forward and hard-hitting rock with extraordinarily deep and intelligent lyrics.
The previous album, Empire, was Queensryche’s most diverse and best ever and blasted them into the national spotlight.
The first songs on Promised Land, most notably I Am I, lack the strengths of Empire. The lyrics lack decent rhyme or focus and do not mix well with the music. The lyrics and music seem to be two separate entities.
Bridge ends this as it examines how a child comes to terms with a failed father who wants to make amends. The lyrics are insightful and the music simplified, but this song is too depressing to be accepted by the public as a major hit.
Queensryche’s social conscience returns on My Global Mind as they voice their frustration on the apathy the information superhighway has creates. Feelings of depression and disillusion fill Promised Land, the 81/2 minute title track. This song embodies the change to suicidal pessimism on Promised Land as opposed to Empire’s cynical optimism.
Someone Else?, the only song that holds some degree of optimism, deals with identity, self and self-confidence. On this album, it is Queensryche’s best.
Although not as captivating as Empire, Promised Land has a raw feel that some listeners will like. Others will be disappointed that Promised Land does not top Empire.
