Beekstraat 1 - B-2640 Mortsel - Belgium

QUEENSRÿCHE: Operation: Mindcrime II

Release

Style

For me, Queensrÿche will always be synonymous with ‘Operation: Mindcrime’. I do have several of their other albums – I think they are pretty good, although I wouldn’t consider myself a real fan. But their 1988 concept album is quite something else. The dark atmosphere, the intriguing story, the stellar performances, the brilliant production… this all but perfect album will always remain one of my favourites ever.

‘So’, you ask, ‘is the sequel just as good’? Well, it all depends on what you expect. First of all: it is certainly less catchy; there are no commercial songs like ‘I Don’t Believe In Love’, ‘Breaking The Silence’ or ‘Eyes Of A Stranger’ – all in all, it sounds definitely more modern and it might be a bit less accessible. But I haste to add that this is by far the best album they’ve done apart from this classic.

The story picks up some 20 years after the first part. Nikki is released from prison – he’s an emotional wreck and he’s got to find a way to make his life meaningful again. Maybe revenge is the answer: vengeance against the powerful Dr. X, who manipulated him into committing murder, and who was responsible for his love Mary’s death.

For those who thought Queensrÿche was lost: there’s good news. The new album is definitely a return to form. ‘I’m American’, ‘Signs Say Go’ and ‘Murderer?’ are arguably among the heaviest songs Queensrÿche has recorded, with even some speed metal parts. As individual tracks I’m not really fond of them, but they do work in the flow of the album ànd the story. ‘Hostage’ and ‘The Hands’ are two songs that might just as well have been on the first part. Both are excellent. One of the other highlights is the phenomenal ‘The Chase’ -  a confrontation between Nikki and Dr. X. The role of the latter is played by none other than the mighty Ronnie James Dio, which makes for a stunning performance. Pamela Moore, who played Sister Mary on the original, is also back, and she’s featured quite prominently on a couple of songs, including the bombastic ‘If I Could Change It All’ (with choir and all) and the moving ‘All The Promises’.

Not the major classic that the original ‘Operation Mindcrime’ was, but terrific in its own right and far better than anyone could have hoped to expect after the last couple of albums Queensrÿche did. It is a grower, so you might want to take your time before passing final judgment. I’m sure you’ll love it eventually, just like I do.

Musicians

Freiheit Ouverture
Convict
I’m American
Hostage
The Hands
Speed Of Light
Signs Say Go
Re-Arrange You
The Chase
Murderer?
Circles
If I Could Change It All
An Intentional Confrontation
A Junkie’s Blues
Fear City Slide
All The Promises

Queensrÿche (1983 – ep)
The Warning (1984)
Rage For Order (1986)
Operation: Mindcrime (1988)
Empire (1990)
Operation: Livecrime (1991)
Promised land (1994)
Hear In The Now Frontier (1997)
Q2K (1999)
Greatest Hits (2000)
Live Evolution (2001)
Tribe (2003)
The Art Of Live (2004)
Operation: Mindcrime II (2006)

Website in order to promote heavy-metal & hard-rock to a broader audience in Flanders but also in the entire world. No part from this website may be used in any other publication whether in print or on the world wide web without the editor's consent - all material is exclusive to Metal-Nose and copyright protected.

Last updated: 13/04/2006 .
All rights reserved. Copyright © Metal-Nose 20/05/2004.
www.metal-nose.org