Operation: Mindcrime [Bonus Tracks] [Remaster]

Performer: Queensrÿche
Engineer: James Barton; Paul Northfield
Producer: James Barton; Peter Collins; Queensryche; David K. Tedds (Reissue)
Distributor: EMI Music Distribution

Notes: Queensryche: Geoff Tate (vocals, keyboards); Chris DeGarmo (acoustic 6- & 12-string acoustic guitars, electric guitar, lap steel guitar, guitar synthesizer); Michael Wilton (acoustic 6- & 12-string acoustic guitars, electric guitar); Eddie Jackson (bass); Scott Rockenfield (drums, percussion). Additional personnel: Pamela Moore (vocals). Recorded at Kajem/Victory Studios, Gladwyne, Pennsylvania. Includes liner notes by Paul Suter. Personnel: Geoff Tate (vocals, whistling, keyboards); The Moronic Monks of Morin Heights (vocals); Michael Wilton (guitar, acoustic guitar, acoustic 12-string guitar, electric guitar); Chris DeGarmo (acoustic guitar, acoustic 12-string guitar, electric guitar, lap steel guitar, guitar synthesizer); Michael Kamen (cello); Scott Rockenfield (keyboards, drums, percussion); Eddie Jackson (bass guitar). Audio Mixer: James Barton . Liner Note Author: Paul Suter. Recording information: Kajem (11/14/1990-10/20/1994); Le Studio, Morin Heights, Canada (11/14/1990-10/20/1994); The Astoria Theatre, London, England (11/14/1990-10/20/1994); The Hammersmith Odeon, London, England (11/14/1990-10/20/1994); Victory Studios, Gladwyne PA (11/14/1990-10/20/1994). Photographers: Robert Andrews; Robert Andrew. Unknown Contributor Roles: Anthony Valentine; Scott Mateer; Mike Snyder; Debbie Wheeler; Pamela Moore. The album that preceded this release, RAGE FOR ORDER, came as a surprise to some fans because of the group's appropriation of electronic sound-generating techniques. Undeterred, the band composed its most challenging work yet, the epic concept album OPERATION: MINDCRIME. Originally issued in 1988, the hard-edged album slowly worked its way up the charts and became the band's first gold-certified release (an opening slot on Def Leppard's sold-out HYSTERIA tour certainly didn't hurt, either). The story-line centers on a drug addict who falls in love with a former prostitute turned nun. Together, they uncover a dangerous underground movement and try to stop it before it's too late. OPERATION: MINDCRIME remains Queensryche's best and most consistent release--most of the tracks can be enjoyed out of the context of the storyline on the strength of their songwriting and instrumental performances. Individual standouts include the two popular MTV hits "I Don't Believe in Love" and "Eyes of a Stranger," as well as the lesser-known "Anarchy X," "Revolution Calling," the title track, "Speak," "Spreading the Disease," and the more than 10-minute long epic "Suite Sister Mary." For fans of metal with a prog-rock edge, OPERATION: MINDCRIME is definitely one of the '80's best. Queensr�che scored their breakthrough success with the ambitious concept album Operation: Mindcrime, which tells the story of a fortune hunter whose disillusionment with Reagan-era American society leads him to join a shadowy plot to assassinate corrupt leaders. For such a detailed story line (there is also a tragic romance thrown in), the band keeps its focus remarkably well, and the music is just as ambitious, featuring a ten-minute track with orchestrations by Michael Kamen. Those experiments don't tend to work as well as the tighter, more melodic prog metal songs, which are frequently gems, especially the singles "Eyes of a Stranger" and "I Don't Believe in Love." Granted, the lyrics and political observations can sometimes be too serious and intellectual for their own good (few bands, metal or otherwise, can make lines like "There's no raison d'�tre" work). But despite the occasional flaws, it's surprising how well Operation: Mindcrime does work, and it's a testament to Queensr�che's creativity and talent that they can pull off a project of this magnitude. [Capitol's 2003 reissue includes 24-bit remastering (which makes this record sound even bigger) and two live bonus tracks (from 1990 and 1994, respectively) of two of the songs from Mindcrime.] ~ Steve Huey

Formed in the early 1980s, Queensryche started their career sounding much like a junior version of Iron Maiden or Judas Priest. However, by the mid-'80s, the Seattle-based metal band had begun to form its own musical identity, culminating in 1988's OPERATION: MINDCRIME, a sprawling cinematic concept album that received widespread acclaim and led to international success. The group's follow-up, EMPIRE, featured catchy melodies and more straightforward songwriting, showcasing the vocals of frontman Geoff Tate and leading to an even wider audience, thanks in no little part to the unlikely top 10 hit lullaby "Silent Lucidity." In the late 1990s, Queensryche experienced a bit of a slump, largely due the departure of founding guitarist Chris DeGarmo, but in 2003, DeGarmo returned to record TRIBE.

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