Revolution Calling - Queensryche

Operation: Mindcrime II - Queensryche

While many would consider, not unlike a film, that a sequel to a 'classic' is always doomed from the start, Meatloaf for one proved the theory wrong over a decade ago. Personally, I always welcome any such remakes or sequels and despite not washing too well with the general populous, I enjoyed Operation: Mindcrime II for what it was and whilst it might not have reach the dizzy heights of the first album, it's to be remembered that II has been written and recorded in a very different age and era. The opening prologue overture somewhat fails to deliver the sort of stark impact which was ever present in Mindcrime I, but having said that the short piece did a decent enough job at ...

Operation: Mindcrime - Queensryche

Over 10 years later this album still ranks as Queensryche's finest album. A concept album in nature it tells the story of Nicki who is drawn into the ranks of a revolutionary underground movement as a hitman. Selling over a million copies this was the record that sent Queensryche into the top 10 metal bands of the late eighties/early nineties. Geoff Tate's soaring vocals are more than a match for De Garmo/Wilton's twin Guitars and the backbone of this band - Eddie Jackson's Bass and Scott Rockenfields own unique style of drumming. The opening tracks "I remember now" and "Anarchy X" set the scene for the story and the whole album ...

Operation: Mindcrime - Queensryche

Over the years, I've changed my mind on this album. Initially passing off Queensryche as a poor man's Iron Maiden with squeaky clean US production and lyrics which don't necessarily cover the essential girls, death and satan topics. I've changed my mind though and in particular about this album, we see German born American Geoff Tate really flex his voice to what sometimes can even sound like a Tom Verlaine sound! Operation Mindcrime is a concept album of progressive metal that follows the life of a man called Nikki who has grown tired of American society joins in a plot to assasinate US leaders. It is often cited as the first such album but Alice Cooper did very similar things in the 70s, ...