Queensryche - Operation: Mindcrime (1988)

Queensryche - Operation: Mindcrime (1988) album review by Pritham 'Metal Farmer' D'Souza

Line Up Geoff Tate Chris DeGarmo Michael Wilton Eddie Jackson Scott Rockenfield Track Listing:
I Remember Now Anarchy-X Revolution Calling Operation: Mindcrime Speak Spreading The Disease The Mission Suite Sister Mary The Needle Lies Electric Requiem Breaking The Silence I Don't Believe In Love Waiting For 22 My Empty Room Eyes Of A Stranger

Easily, one of the most influential Progressive metal bands of all time, QUEENSRYCHE began their musical journey as THE MOB in the early 80's and like their peers FATES WARNING , were dismissed as 'yet another IRON MAIDEN clone band'.
A name change and 2 excellent albums later, QUEENSRYCHE were already being hailed as 'The next big thing to watch out for' all thanks to a copy of their self released EP which had made its way to the office of KERRANG! magazine way back in 1983.

Die hard QUEENSRYCHE fans will always debate on which is the best QUEENSRYCHE release till date. And its a pretty tough decision considering they they grew stronger with every new release since their official debut with their 1984 classic The Warning till 1990's Grammy nominated EMPIRE which had their label EMI laughing their way to the bank.

But its safe to say, their 1988 effort Operation: Mindcrime not only catapulted them to international stardom, but also ensured their permanent place in Metal's Hall Of Fame as one of the greatest concept albums of all time. The album is also often compared to PINK FLOYD'S The Wall and THE WHO'S "Tommy" which is a feat in itself.

The story of a junkie named NIKKI who gets brainwashed into performing assassinations for an underground movement, while battling his own demons, torn between his misplaced loyalty to the cause and his love interest, a reformed hooker who becomes a nun was stuff that made a best seller novel.

Every song here is a masterpiece and and the story telling is top notch. My personal favorites include Revolution Calling, Speak, Spreading the Disease and The Needle Lies, but the song i will give tooth and nail to watch live is I Don't Believe In Love a tour de force love ballad or anti love ballad thats arguably the best track here.

Geoff Tate has the vocal range that will make fans of Halford and Dickinson wet themselves, while the twin guitar assault of Chris De Garmo and Michael Wilton was the best thing that happened since Maiden.

The album is an "overdose" of excellent song structures, simple yet effective drums and bass, face peeling metal guitar solos with an infective hook and a voice that towers above all of this.

Do yourself a favor and buy this album today, coz if u dont, then u are obviously an ignorant cunt

My Rating
10/10

Growing Cowpea using Simplified Hydroponics in Mangalore, India

Growing Cowpea beans (Vigna Unguiculata) using Simplified Hydroponics in Mangalore, India by Pritham 'Metal Farmer' D'Souza

From Growing Lentils without Soil using Simplified Hydroponics in Mangalore, India

From Growing Lentils without Soil using Simplified Hydroponics in Mangalore, India

From Growing Lentils without Soil using Simplified Hydroponics in Mangalore, India

From Growing Lentils without Soil using Simplified Hydroponics in Mangalore, India

From Growing Lentils without Soil using Simplified Hydroponics in Mangalore, India

From Growing Lentils without Soil using Simplified Hydroponics in Mangalore, India

From Growing Lentils without Soil using Simplified Hydroponics in Mangalore, India

From Growing Lentils without Soil using Simplified Hydroponics in Mangalore, India

From Growing Lentils without Soil using Simplified Hydroponics in Mangalore, India

From Growing Lentils without Soil using Simplified Hydroponics in Mangalore, India

From Growing Lentils without Soil using Simplified Hydroponics in Mangalore, India

From Growing Lentils without Soil using Simplified Hydroponics in Mangalore, India

From Growing Lentils without Soil using Simplified Hydroponics in Mangalore, India

From Growing Lentils without Soil using Simplified Hydroponics in Mangalore, India

From Growing Lentils without Soil using Simplified Hydroponics in Mangalore, India

From Growing Lentils without Soil using Simplified Hydroponics in Mangalore, India

From Growing Lentils without Soil using Simplified Hydroponics in Mangalore, India

From Growing Lentils without Soil using Simplified Hydroponics in Mangalore, India

Watch the Slide Show here





All Images and Data by Pritham Denzil D'Souza

Growing Ladies Finger Bhindi in pit system summer cultivation technique

Growing Ladies Finger Bhindi in pit system summer cultivation technique by Pritham 'Metal Farmer' D'Souza

Bhindi or bende kai or okra Ladies finger(Abelmoschus esculentus) is a popular summer vegetable grown extensively along the coast of Mangalore.
The tender fruits have rich iodine content which is used in the treatment of goitre , while the leaves are used for treatment of dysentery and inflammation.
The dry seeds have rich edible oil content of up to 20 % and protein up to 25%

From Growing Ladies Finger Bhindi in pit system summer cultivation technique

CLIMATE AND SOIL

• Okra requires hot and humid climate and is very effective within the range of 25 to 30 degrees centigrade
• higher temperatures will result in dessication of flowers and hence lower yields
• for the seed to germinate, the min soil temp should be within the range of 25 to 35 degrees
• well drained soils, loose and friable soils with rich organic content is best
  

LAND PREPARATION

From Growing Ladies Finger Bhindi in pit system summer cultivation technique

The land selected for okra cultivation should be free from previous plant debris and residue

From Growing Ladies Finger Bhindi in pit system summer cultivation technique

The previous ridges and furrows must be leveled and land made flat

From Growing Ladies Finger Bhindi in pit system summer cultivation technique

rocks, plant residue, clods and other unwanted materials must be removed

From Growing Ladies Finger Bhindi in pit system summer cultivation technique

pits with 1 feet depth and 2 feet width must be dug as shown

• The above pics shows the selection of land and the initial steps taken to prepare for sowing
• The older rows and furrows from the previous crop must be completely leveled and made flat
• stones, sticks, twigs, clods and plant residue must be removed from the soil
• the soil needs to be pulverized, moistened and enriched with decomposed organic manure or farm yard manure before sowing the seeds

From Growing Ladies Finger Bhindi in pit system summer cultivation technique

Distance between pits is maintained as Okra shows vigorous vegetative growth. plant density and spacing can also be maintained

From Growing Ladies Finger Bhindi in pit system summer cultivation technique

adding 1 bucket of decomposed farm yard manure per pit is recommended

PIT MAKING AND SOWING

• pits which are 2 feet wide and 1 feet deep should be dug as seen in the images above and distance between the pits also has to be maintained
• at least 4 to 5 seeds must be hand dibbled in the soil in every pit. once germination takes place, only 2 or 3 seeds retained per pit. the germinated seedlings can be thinned out and later transplanted in pits where germination is less
• 2 or 3 days before sowing the seeds, 5 to 10 kg(approx) Organic manure should be added to enrich the soil.
• The seeds can be soaked in curds/milk over night to soften the hard seed coat a day before sowing operations
• light irrigation must be given immediately after sowing the seeds and care should be taken to see the seed is not dislodged from its place.
• The most viable seeds take up to 5 days to germinate.

From Growing Ladies Finger Bhindi in pit system summer cultivation technique

View of plot after germination

From Growing Ladies Finger Bhindi in pit system summer cultivation technique

Complete view of plot

From Growing Ladies Finger Bhindi in pit system summer cultivation technique

When plant attains 4 leaf stage, 2 buckets of decomposed farm yard manure is again added to each pit

IRRIGATION AND MANURING

• Light irrigation is given immediately after sowing in soil
• watering needs to be done everyday till the plant attains 4 leaf stage
  
• once the plant establishes itself properly in the pit, the frequency of irrigation can be reduced from thrice weekly to twice weekly.
• its advised to give the plant NKP or nutrients in 3 split doses, one at the time of sowing, the second during the growth vegetative phase and the final at the time of flowering
• Spraying with organic inputs like algae solutions and bacterial gels at least once weekly will take care of its micro and trace nutrient requirements

From Growing Ladies Finger Bhindi in pit system summer cultivation technique

A close up of the growing Okra plant

From Growing Ladies Finger Bhindi in pit system summer cultivation technique

Growth visible after a few days

From Growing Ladies Finger Bhindi in pit system summer cultivation technique

In pits which do not have germination, plants need to be transplanted and shade provided

From Growing Ladies Finger Bhindi in pit system summer cultivation technique

View of the same plot after 10 days

OTHER INTERCULTURE OPERATIONS

• Weeds are a menace to the main crop and need to be removed at every stage of plant development.
• at the time of manuring, the plant needs support at the base of the stem and earthing up operations are done.
• inter culture operations will also help in aerating the soils
• Spraying the crop with female flower inducing hormones or sprays can be done at least 10 days before flower bud formation
• All spraying operations should be done in the mornings, when the temperature is not too high and similarly at evenings after 4 pm when the light intensity is not high.

From Growing Ladies Finger Bhindi in pit system summer cultivation technique

Flowering seen after 45 days

From Growing Ladies Finger Bhindi in pit system summer cultivation technique

Lush green growth of Okra

From Growing Ladies Finger Bhindi in pit system summer cultivation technique

The broad leaves of Okra act as shade retaining the soil moisture

From Growing Ladies Finger Bhindi in pit system summer cultivation technique

Distance between pits maintained such that leaves do not overlap

HARVESTING AND AFTERCARE

• the first flowers are seen after 45 to 55 days from the date of sowing
• harvesting the tender fruits must be done preferably early mornings or late evenings
  
• a glove or piece of cloth must be used to protect against the prickly leaves and stem of the plant which can cause irritation and even rash to some people
• the plant will continue to yield for another 50 days
• once the plant has reached a maximum height, lateral branches start to sprout giving it a total bushy appearance, at this stage, pruning the top can be done, even though its not recommended as it is cumbersome

From Growing Ladies Finger Bhindi in pit system summer cultivation technique

Fruiting in Okra

From Growing Ladies Finger Bhindi in pit system summer cultivation technique

Ready to Harvest

OBSERVATIONS

• since okra has a tap root system and not fibrous root system, i decided to experiment with pit method rather than the traditional ridge and furrow method.
• there was all around progress in almost every department from weeding to irrigation
• plant population and density was maintained
• no wastage of irrigation water as each pit required the same amount of water
• even manure application for every pit was the same
  
• keeping distance between pits helped greatly in harvesting, as the plants got maximum space and no over lapping of leaves was seen.
  

View slide show presentation here



All data and images by Pritham Denzil D'Souza

Growing Radish without Soil using Simplified Hydroponics in Mangalore

Growing Radish without Soil using Simplified Hydroponics in Mangalore by Pritham D'Souza

From Hydroponic Radish grown in Mangalore

Radish being a root crop requires adequate spacing for root development. pic taken 13 nov 2009

From Hydroponic Radish grown in Mangalore

close up of radish seedling, which germinated within 4 days of sowing

From Hydroponic Radish grown in Mangalore

since it is a root crop, NO TRANSPLANTING is done. so the container chosen should have sufficient depth

From Hydroponic Radish grown in Mangalore

26 days later pic taken on 9 Dec 2009, also brahmi root stem planted next to growing radish

From Hydroponic Radish grown in Mangalore

8 days later, 17 Dec 2009, the radish leaves show better growth and also the brahmi stem next to it starts to sprout new leaves

From Hydroponic Radish grown in Mangalore

another view of Luxuriant radish growth

From Hydroponic Radish grown in Mangalore

Dec 25, 2009, even though the leaves are ready for harvest, i decided to keep it for a few more days

From Hydroponic Radish grown in Mangalore

the best part in simplified hydroponics is the portability of the gardens. here you can see my radish tub placed in my kitchen

From Hydroponic Radish grown in Mangalore

4 Jan 2010, the developing radish root

From Hydroponic Radish grown in Mangalore

5 jan 2010, couldnt control the urge to eat radish leaves, so got them harvested

From Hydroponic Radish grown in Mangalore

another view of freshly harvested radish leaves

From Hydroponic Radish grown in Mangalore

jan 5 2010, radish leaves are harvested and you can see brahmi plant with its heart shaped leaves growing very well

From Hydroponic Radish grown in Mangalore

Jan 5 2010, final picture of radish

View Slide Show here