In July, heavy metal rock quartet Queensryche [ tickets ] began an epic North American tour in support of the group's March 2009 release "American Soldier."

The new set brings the band's discography up to an even dozen albums since it formed in 1981. Frontman/songwriter Geoff Tate describes "Soldier" as a concept album that takes inspiration from his dozens of one-on one interviews with US war Veterans between 2007 and 2008. "I listened to their amazing and moving recounts and did my best to examine war through their eyes." Tate explained in an interview with RockPages.gr. "Home Again," perhaps the most moving song on the set, features a duet with his then 10-year-old daughter Emily.