After using the last couple years to dabble in covers and greatest hits, Queensrÿche will soon return with its first new studio album of original material since 2006’s Operation: Mindcrime II, and much like that particular album, the band’s twelfth full-length effort will be on the concept side of things.
Entitled American Solider, the legendary Seattle based metal outfit will use its concept effort to examine the story of war from a firsthand perspective. And when we say firsthand, we literally mean it. Per frontman Geoff Tate via UltimateGuitar.com:
“Queensrÿche has always had incredible support from members of the Armed Services…It seems like after every show, I’d end up speaking with a fan that was or had been involved with the military. The more and more I began to hear their accounts and feelings, the more I really felt a conviction to tell their story. Over the last two years, I’ve conducted dozens of one-on-one interviews with veterans of many different American wars. I listened to their amazing and moving recounts and did my best to examine war through their eyes.”
The result will of this research and the resulting musical reinterpretation will officially be unveiled in April via Rhino Records.
In support of the release, Tate and Co. will embark on a two-month North American tour beginning in mid-April. Tickets for many of these shows are currently available via Ticketmaster.com. An international trek will reportedly follow the below dates.
Queensrÿche 2009 Tour Dates:
04/16 – Seattle, WA @ Snoqualmie Casino
04/17 – Seattle, WA @ Snoqualmie Casino
04/18 – Portland, OR @ Roseland Theater
04/19 – Chico, CA @ Senator Theater
04/22 – Anaheim, CA @ House of Blues
04/23 – San Diego, CA @ House of Blues
04/24 – Los Angeles, CA @ House of Blues
04/25 – Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues
04/26 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Depot
04/28 – Denver, CO @ Paramount
04/29 – Kansas City, MO @ Voodoo Lounge
04/30 – Milwaukee, WI @ Potawatomi
05/01 – Milwaukee, WI @ Potawatomi
05/03 – Walker, MN @ Norther Lights
05/05 – Grand Rapids, MI @ Intersection
05/06 – Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues
05/07 – Chicago, IL @ House of Blues
05/08 – Chicago, IL @ House of Blues
05/10 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Palace Theater
05/12 – Verona, NY @ Turning Stone Casino
05/13 – Stamford, CT @ Palace Theatre
05/14 – Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom
05/15 – New York, NY @ Nokia Theater
05/16 – Atlantic City, NJ @ Showboat
05/17 – Myrtle Beach, SC @ House of Blues
05/19 – Tampa, FL @ Ruth Eckerd
05/20 – Lake Buena Vista, FL @ House of Blues
05/21 – New Orleans, LA @ House of Blues
05/22 – Houston, TX @ House of Blues
05/23 – San Antonio, TX @ Hemisfair Park
05/24 – Dallas, TX @ House of Blues
