Sunday, January 24, 2010

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:


  1. I Remember Now
  2. Anarchy-X
  3. Revolution Calling
  4. Operation: Mindcrime
  5. Speak
  6. Spreading The Disease
  7. The Mission
  8. Suite Sister Mary
  9. The Needle Lies
  10. Electric Requiem
  11. Breaking The Silence
  12. I Don't Believe In Love
  13. Waiting For 22
  14. My Empty Room
  15. 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

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