I really don't know how I feel about this one

Song's actually really good!

I never listened to the band past Empire, and I know they got a new lead singer and all the drama in between with the old one, but this song sounds like a refreshed update of their older material. Will check out the new album.

^ Promised Land is a mandatory Ryche listen!

Anyway, listened a couple times outside of youtube, I still don't know man. I can't stand this generic drumming in my Queensryche and the vocal lines really rub me the wrong way because they're either hookless or they suddenly feel lifted straight from 80s Maiden (the bits like 0:54... first time I was sure it was Dickinson saying "nightmares!"). Even the middle section with the solo was kinda underwhelming idk. Also The Verdict didn't have a production this flat, what happened?

*breathes*

I do appreciate Eddie's bass presence though, and Whip said the album will be very varied so I'm still rather hyped.

This is not good.

Coming out of exile to express how ferociously average this is… and this is coming from someone that appreciates Q2k, Tribe and American Soldier (not HITNF, Mindcrime II, Dedicated to Chaos, or Frequency Unknown though).

-- Coming out of exile to express how ferociously average this is

Came to write the exact same thing, vocals are killing it as always, but the music of both songs is not even going through the motions.

The new Megadeth on the other hand... surprising in a good way (despite the cringey chorus part).