US Navy-Vietnam; US Army-Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan. 29 years as an Army Doctor. Heard this "live" in Columbus, OH in 2009 and it continues to choke me up...over and over again. Thank you for this album, Geoff Tate and Queensryche.
This song means more than you know. My son is a Marine n was deployed in Fallujah at the time of this album. I spoke with Geoff n he has a personal connection with this video n that stupid war as did I. Songs are written for a reason. Don't judge
This song gives me chills every time I hear it. The whole album is so poignant, touching, sad, emotional, raw and yet oddly hopeful. However, I can't listen to it often because I start bawling every time.
I love this song...been a fan of Queensryche for YEARS!! I am glad that they did this album, gives people who are not around the military a look at some of the things military men and women go through. I am a military wife who has heard and seen pretty bad things from 3 deployments with my husband. For all veterans, you are loved and in my hearts and prayers..God Bless You All!!!
"In secrecy they've infiltrated All of our strongholds Controlling more... year after year So we've let this happen all along Believing what's been said Our leaders cry... we have no one to fear" QR - The Warning 1984
This album jerks tears. So many of you posters dont understand what its like to lose a brother or sister in combat and wish you could have taken their place. The sorrow that you feel for your lost comrades. The soul searching it takes to find solace. Until you have been there dont talk. 9.5 years of active combat operations with an all volunteer force. In response to an attack. Respect those of us who serve. As we do for you countries forces.
Thanks Tate for everything he did. From Empire and Damaged through now. He is one of the best on psychological self criticism to progressive social critique. Keep remaining on being Dissident to the powers that be cos' this world is really turning upside down. "It" was hard then but it is even getting harder, well we'll keep our eyes watching you Tate and other band members. Thanks.
@TheProgNerd, Your comment brought to my mind a song from Queensryche's Tribe cd, 'The Great Divide'. "Take the flag we wave, the freedoms that we sing. Without respect for one other, it doesn't mean a thing." Just texting out loud. RYCHE ON!
I feel this song. As a Marine Infantryman and US Asset who had been in combat. A Cold War, Desert Storm and War on Drugs veteran. Oh Yeah, I'm one of the Ragamuffins. If I were but the King of the World. The things I could change. I can tell you some stories. Destroyed Armies with Generals nicknamed MadDog and Kaos. Commanding officers call sign, 'Evil-One". Also argued policy with the White House. Plus, fixed submarines. I'm considered a US asset. Retired now. I can say that I've had my knife at the throats of Spetznaz commandos and KGB spooks. 1990 START treaty inspections NSB Kings Bay Ga. They tested our defenses pre-inspection. US Nukes. I've been in the same room, and one of the few armed with Soviet Russians and US nuclear weapons. Earned it. We caught them. As Hunt for Red October was premiering in the theater. This is what I was doing. Those KGB agents, they still live. You know them as Peskov and Putin. They know the K-Bay spiders caught them. Knife to their throats. Cold war fights in the swamps. This is not a joke. Oh also, ridden a Ton of high explosives into battle. Arty hitting around me, oil wells on fire. Mines everywhere. Even have pics. You know I'm not lying. Hung off the side of a submarine with someone holding my boot. Been thrown naked from an airplane. Jason Bourne, Jack Ryan and Ethan Hunt have nothing on me. They are fiction. I'm a Marine. Argued policy with the White House, Sticky fingers Sam. Warned them. Hunted terrorist, spooks and commandos. LOVE THIS BAND. Tell Geoff I said Hi.
I think that "Our Sincerely Dedicated Men & Women" are some of the Most Beautiful & Strong People - "ALIVE"....Even in Spirit! They are hoping & praying to pave a way for All Mankind (All Gods Children) to live FREELY w/ one another, & to Bring Peace to their Children & Families & Neighbors; their Brothers & Sisters.... Thank You; All Men & Women who have given their Gifts to us all, for us all!! War is Extremely Unfortunate in the Hopes that it will bring a sense of "Peace" to a Chaotic & Tumultuous World! Thank you Queensryche! ~ Peace
I love this album there should have be3en more of this in the 60s during Vietnam I guess we have grown up in a way I feel they risked a lot to have come up with this material should have been nominated for a grammy.
its really strange when some fans say that ryche put out garbage the last 15 to 20 years...really dont think thats accountable at all..the band created an album here that has helped alot of my soldier friends!
@EGX500 I am an OEF/OIF vet and have lost many good friends in combat. I am also a Republican. I love Queensryche and Geoff Tate's music. You can speak for yourself but not for veterans who have been there. I was impressed by this song and others Geoff has done recently for soldiers and I'm happy to see someone giving voice to what many veterans feel and deal with. You don't have to have been there to hear someone's story and use your talents (Tate is talented) to tell others about it.
You can still support the troops and not agree with the war. American Soldier is all about the soldier and their sacrifices. Not about the politics leading to war.
DING!! anathema4, you win the comment of the century award! What you said is plain and simple, but it's too bad these liberal idiots will NEVER put their pride aside to support the troops, and NOT the war! It is possible, as I support the troops, but not support every war!
@EGX500 Queensryche is all about social commentary. Anyone with more than a couple brain cells who has listened to the lyrics of empire knows this beyond a shadow of a doubt. The band has made it their mission in life to be critical about political systems. This song is a natural progression from talking about governments to talking about the people they are comprised of.
I loved it when the navy men were asked on one ship who they would like to have as entertainment they picked Queensryche to play , google it, it was awesome!
No man can give you freedom It is God who gives a man his freedom. The man who tells you he can make you free might as well tell you he guarantees you will live tomorrow, both are in the hands of God alone. Stop idolizing those who are muscle for the wealthy, who contribute to the state the world is in.
this song made me tear up. the fact that they even made an album like this shows such strong patriotism and love to our great country. this is why i love queensryche. all these other bands try to be all political and talk about how our country is coming down. queensryche did the complete opposite and wrote a tribute to all our warriors over seas. geoff tate you are a true blue human being. i truly love and respect queensryche with all my heart.
my nephew was wounded twice inIRAC and he wont talk to any of us thanks you geof for this its so sad my brother son wont talk at all GOD bless Geof tate
Thanks for the explanation, Anthioc. When someone volunteers for the military they're taking the risk of being the government's pawn in conflicts; it comes with the territory, right or wrong. The Vietnam War was different, however. Like you say, the government forced the poor and others to fight and die in a conflict on the other side of the world through the draft. And for what? The song "War Pigs" applies.
One of Queensryche's Best songs, imho. Just over a quarter views and 1.4 Likes in over ten years. Unforgivable. Geoff Tate....what an AWE-some singer and story-teller.
@EGX500 ...and further more, I'm a Veteran of the first Gulf War. I proudly served my country. I did my part to help secure our legacy of freedom which allows artists to express ideas that might not be popular, but might make you think. You might not agree with the views expressed by Queensryche, but I'd much rather live in a country where their views thrive over yours.
All along its history Queensryche has made social-criticism / war-criticism lyrics (OM I & II, Empire, Warning, etc) so I don't think its just for the sake of the songs or the characters in the songs. Anyway, I don't think all american conflicts are corrupt and worhtless. I think every conflict is corrupt and worthless.
I am a ultra conservative and I think that this CD is a great tribute to our armed forces and as far as their music changing after DeGarmo left, times change people change as bands get older their music changes too. Geoff Tate is awesome his voice is amazing if it's not for you don't listen!
I think this album didn't need to be called AMERICAN soldier. It's concept it's about soldiers itself and not only american soldier. It deals with personal experiences and memories of war that soldiers had. And BTW this album is amazing :D really worth the money
There's some documentary I saw somewhere about the falklands war conflict where the argentineans say they were send to fight with one suit, so they got wet during the day, slept with the same suit and had to use the same clothes the day after. Besides that, they were lacking food and water, not to say the english army was infinitely superior...they were sent to die. And on Argentina the newspaper said "We are winning". Not US related but I thought it was good to tell
I don't care what people say. Geoff looks like he really feels it and he also looks a lot older, but don't we all!? As time moves on people change. I can hear the Queensryche I love in this enough to like it, but I will never love their music of recent times with Geoff the way I love the earlier classic stuff. I think you know what I'm getting at don't you? After EMPIRE they went off the rails big time. However, this song speaks to me with its anti-war message and reminds me of what I love by Queensryche. I think Geoff looks really good considering how long this band have been around. Good song from a great band. That's enough for me. Please end the war is my plea. I can't believe in war when so many people die. Just so disgusting.
+Benjamin Blake Mitchner I agree with you 100% Geoff's dad was in the service, though I don't think he went to war. He was a huge inspiration for this album, that's why Geoff shows so much emotion and heart while he's singing. He's pro-military, and even if he doesn't approve of the reasons behind the fighting, he completely supports our troops regardless. I have mad respect for that.
Lisa M. Altemose So do I. I support all soldiers and thank you for your wonderful comment. Geoff Tate is a very kind person and he only does what he has his heart fully poured into. I thank you for supporting soldiers they are good people.
Benjamin Blake Mitchner My grandfather, father and brother are all army. My grandfather served in WWII, earing a Purple Heart and other medals. My dad jut missed out going to Viet Nam by a couple months. My brother served in Desert Storm. I'm proud of them all, and I support ALL service members, even the 4-legged ones :) It doesn't matter what the fight is about. As Americans, it's our DUTY to support the ones sacrificing themselves for us. And yes, I'm one of those people that, when I see a service member in public, I shake their hand and say "Thank You for your sacrifice". It's the very least I can do to show my appreciation.
@EGX500 I'm not sure what you're debating here & with whom, but this remark caught my eye. QR definitely lost something when Chris D. left, & they never regained it. Maybe it was class? Skill? Sheer talent? I know my favorite QR songs were mostly penned by Chris. I was a fan from their first EP; all their work through "Hear ITNF" consistently opened my mind & changed me for the better. Chris recorded a tremendous body of work before retiring from music; if you do know him, tell him thanks.
For one thing, Operation Mindcrime is a concept album and therefore a story, a parable. It doesn't mean Tate agrees to the letter with every line, whether generic or a quote from one of the characters. There are other factors to consider as well. For instance, was the line you quoted intended to mean ALL American conflicts are corrupt and worthless? I doubt it. Does it mean that all military personel are scum who should be spit on? Obviously not. Balance, my friend, is the key.
In Mindcrime at the Moore DVD Geoff starts singing with a sign that says: "War is Terrorism" and "U.S. out of Iraq" Then he changed the lyrics of Spreading the Disease "Politicians say no to drugs while we pay for wars in south america" to "Politicians say no to drugs, I guess they all want us around to fight their fucking wars" So, what the fuck happened?
YES AND THANK YOU TO ALL WHO SERVED-thank you for your service!!!!!!!! My Marine son was in Fallujah in OIF3 at the time. People who don't have someone in a war do NOT care and don't get it. Very sad
@EGX500 I'm not a huge fan, they're just another 80's band I listen to once in a while. You however, are hilarious. I love watching people like you try to shout down anyone who doesn't agree with you. You're a dime a dozen on youtube. So congratulations for being troll of the week and for giving me a good chuckle. The best part is that you don't realize that you're ridiculous.
Such an underrated album. After the first 2 songs (which I admit I don’t like), it’s just excellent right through. The last great concept album. Queensryche nails the emotions of war.
@GHeroandRScape -- Uh, yeah. Better than the country you're criticizing. Regardless of what's "wrong" with the US, it's still one of the best places in the world to live. What have you done better? I suppose you're perfect, and have it all going on, right?
@TrustYourOwnInstinct you're silly! yes...we all miss Chris. But Queensryche steps up here. They pay homage to the unfortunate people who are sucked into this war without trying to make money by being all PATRIOTIC like everybody else is doing these days....This is BRILLIANT! Get your head on straight, my fellow Rychian....I know you're smarter than that!
@ariabm44 Songs like Operation:Mindcrime can be found on an album...What was it called?...Ah, yes! Songs like that can be found on the Operation:Mindcrime album! It was my pleasure to help you.
Ray Farrow - Actually you've just proven who the douche is as we have. And we have lost loved ones. But this song is terrible, in my opinion, and having an emotional connection to it does not make it better.
