Tonight's show was one of the most unusual formats I’ve seen a band pull off in a while. I am used to seeing a couple bands play the typical opening and headliner sets. I was under the impression Lita Ford was going to open as the support act with her own band. Instead she made a brief three song appearance with Queensryche backing her half way through their set. It really picked the crowd back up after the new material drew everyone into a purple haze. Queensryche has never been a lets rock in your face style of act. They let Geoff carry the performance and the band just concentrates on playing instead of playing to the crowd. Lita Ford shoved a huge iron in the crowd and got everyone all riled back up. Queensryche is high energy, but not a high energy Hollywood Rock Show. Their unique brand of pure rock is dynamic and creeps up on you from all angles. Geoff Tate joining Lita on Close my eyes Forever singing Ozzy's part was really cool. Lita ripped a nice guitar harmony solo with Michael Wilton. Lita came out and really stirred the crowd up before Queensryche finished them off with several tunes off Empire to close out the show.

Queensryche was one of the first heavy metal bands to attract a large female crowd which makes it great to go to one of their concerts. Chicks all go goo goo over Geoff Tate. My ex girlfriend was such a huge Geoff Tate fanatic, the day of their show in 1986, she totaled her car on the way to the concert, and still managed to get to the show bruised and in a neck brace singing along to every song challenging Metallica fans. Now that's a dedicated fan!

There were several comical things during the show. Like the 300 pound marine who was actually Geoff's bodyguard coming out to salute the crowd to start the American Soldier portion of the set. Nuns have been replaced with the US Army this tour. Most hilarious thing ever is next seeing that huge guy back up singing with Geoff on Sliver the first song. It’s was almost like Queens RAP than Queensryche. I thought “Damn, Geoff Tate has his own posse now like Snoop Dogg!” That surprise almost tossed the crowd into a rubix cube trying to figure out “Who is that big guy on stage?” Since Queensryche doesn't aggressively play directly to the crowd, their material themes just add to the show visuals. Although the band has always had a mysterious quiet image. Queensryche’s music is the true character always. They demand all your soul, heart and attention as a listener.

Like most of us as we get older and wiser with time. Queensryche has grown far from their days of the polished glam metal set. They are more lose and in the moment now live soaking up their time to perform for you. They are no longer just a heavy metal act unless they formated themselves that way. Queensryche delivered such an incredible performance with their Operation Mindcrime tour. You can rest assure they are going to keep the video screens and stage actors to add some theater element to the show. I like the format they performed tonight considering I’ve seen all their other tours. The new guitarist on the white Les Paul did a really good job tonight. The Rage for Order set was really good and it gives you goose bumps hearing songs like I will Remember live. I wore the shit out of that cassette tape back in the glory days. Geoff did break out a Saxaphone and electronic horn a couple times during the show tonight. Obviously singing is not enough. He’s no Miles Davis, but at least he hit the notes in key and he didn’t play a tambourine. I would have left. I’m more of a fan of the heavy dueling guitar Queensryche, but if Geoff wants to play Earth, Wind and Fire. Eddie Jackson and Michael Wilton will have to get their 1982 afro hair doos back.

I have to mention Geoff Tate brought his young daughter out on stage tonight to duet a song with him on the new record. Being most of us are fathers with kids at home and going to concerts with mom and dad. It was touching and pretty heavy in meaning considering the song was about war hero’s. Great father and daughter moment. Who knows, she could be the new Heavy Metal Hannah Montana? Geoff's voice sounded excellent. You can tell he’s a little parched from the road when he talks to the crowd. He nailed all of the old material and only cheated where professional. They had a new keyboard player and they did do some vocal sampling. It makes the songs sound like the record live. But it would be really cool if Queensryche all sang harmonies live like Kings X or Uriah Heep. Tate pulls off his lead vocals, so as long as he’s not lip sinking, I still respect the bands performance.

The show really smoked! Great sound. Guitars were loud and thick, and you could feel the subs and kick drums right in your chest. Light show was nothing special, just some colored large par cans in front and back. It’s a club show, so they didn’t really spend anything on effects and visuals other than the video screen. Queensryche sounded really good. They got louder and became better as the show went on until they really milked it at the end with Empire.

The fact they didn't play any hits off Mindcrime to keep the crowd in stitches reveals a lot about the character of this band. You can say what you want about Queensryche, but it’s like Geoff Tate said on stage when he thanked and toasted the fans with a glass of red wine. He said “I’m doing this for the music and to keep the spirit of the music alive.” Queensryche has been touring the world since the 1980’s and has played well over 80 different countries, they couldn’t do that without their loyal fans and followers.

It’s a rare treat anytime you have a chance to see bands of this caliber play in a small venue. There is nothing more kick ass than seeing Queensryche play Screaming in Digital in a club. And on Veterans Day the very same night the goober Country Music Awards are right down the street at the Sommet Center. Taylor and Garth should have come by for a lesson in kicking ass.

Queensryche's American Soldier Tour is 5 star and well worth the $26.50 ticket!