Queensryche
OPERATION MINDCRIME II
Rhino
Trying to do a concept record with both musical appeal and lyrical substance is a daunting feat. Writing a sequel to one that is considered by a great many people as the greatest concept record of all time is an even more trying task. With Queensryche, they had these trying tasks to take on, as well as shaking off the last decade of music which has fallen short to the history they made up to (and some like myself would include) PROMISED LAND back in 1994. In many ways, revisiting the brilliance of OPERATION MINDCRIME could stand as the balliest move in this bands career, or it could mark career suicide if it was a pathetic release. Thankfully, it doesnt disappoint.
In reality, OPERATION MINDCRIME II will be judged on two levels story and music. Looking at the story, its the continuation of the story of Nikki. Now 20 years older and released from Prison, MINDCRIME II takes you on yet another bizarre tale of deceit, murder, plotting and general evil. It weaves in and out of storylines flawlessly, calculating two moves ahead of ones normal though process with each and every track. Without detailing the story (youll have to buy the record if you really want to know), its safe to say that MINDCRIME II does a masterful job at revisiting the original epic.
Musically, those of you looking for the continuation of the musical landscape created on the original MINDCRIME and prior need to keep looking. The band has successfully created a lot of the old school dirge in sound, but musically this is a far different record than was expected. For the first time in memory, Queensryche has truly built a full landscape of sound instead of individual numbers. Many of the tracks, like The Chase, are mixed up with some ambient keyboard and string combinations to pepper the songs. Further, there are peaks and valleys on this release. Many songs, like If I Could Change It All or All The Promises are ballads. Theres a large number of songs that are mid-tempo rockers as well, almost as if their conception might have come during the TRIBE writing periods. Tracks like Speed Of Light really emphasize this point. This is not saying any of it is bad. More to the point, its just not the sonic force forward that the original was.
As far as the sound, you have to start with vocalist Geoff Tate. Gone are the days where he could battle the physics of shattering glass with his high pitched squeal. He has settled into a rich, full tone that is a bit lower than his early years, but stronger which mixed with the music written for it to soar over. He sounds great on rockers like Im American and Murderer?. As for the band, they have really put it together this time out. Guitarists Mike Stone and Michael Wilton have a thick wall of guitar throughout which brings the power to many of the songs. They riff it up hard on tracks like Signs Say Go, driving it hard against the killer underbelly created by bassist Eddie Jackson and drummer Scott Rockenfield. One of the most interesting songs on the CD is The Chase, which combines the vocals of Ronnie James Dio (as the bragging Dr. X) with Tate. Its a unique combination of two of the greatest vocalists of all time, yet neither truly dominate the song. As a band, they are as solid as theyve been in years. As a record, OPERATION MINDCRIME II is a success.
PITRIFF RATING 8/10 Its a relative impossibility that Queensryche could ever surpass the brilliance they created the first time around. Theres just too much time that has passed, and its conceived now; where in the beginning it probably was more of a magical inspiration they collectively had. Still, there is no denying that the latest release from the band is the best work theyve done in over a decade. An appropriate sequel to their best ever work, OPERATION MINDCRIME II delivers as most had hoped it would.
Added: Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Reviewer: Chris Akin
OPERATION MINDCRIME II
Rhino
Trying to do a concept record with both musical appeal and lyrical substance is a daunting feat. Writing a sequel to one that is considered by a great many people as the greatest concept record of all time is an even more trying task. With Queensryche, they had these trying tasks to take on, as well as shaking off the last decade of music which has fallen short to the history they made up to (and some like myself would include) PROMISED LAND back in 1994. In many ways, revisiting the brilliance of OPERATION MINDCRIME could stand as the balliest move in this bands career, or it could mark career suicide if it was a pathetic release. Thankfully, it doesnt disappoint.
In reality, OPERATION MINDCRIME II will be judged on two levels story and music. Looking at the story, its the continuation of the story of Nikki. Now 20 years older and released from Prison, MINDCRIME II takes you on yet another bizarre tale of deceit, murder, plotting and general evil. It weaves in and out of storylines flawlessly, calculating two moves ahead of ones normal though process with each and every track. Without detailing the story (youll have to buy the record if you really want to know), its safe to say that MINDCRIME II does a masterful job at revisiting the original epic.
Musically, those of you looking for the continuation of the musical landscape created on the original MINDCRIME and prior need to keep looking. The band has successfully created a lot of the old school dirge in sound, but musically this is a far different record than was expected. For the first time in memory, Queensryche has truly built a full landscape of sound instead of individual numbers. Many of the tracks, like The Chase, are mixed up with some ambient keyboard and string combinations to pepper the songs. Further, there are peaks and valleys on this release. Many songs, like If I Could Change It All or All The Promises are ballads. Theres a large number of songs that are mid-tempo rockers as well, almost as if their conception might have come during the TRIBE writing periods. Tracks like Speed Of Light really emphasize this point. This is not saying any of it is bad. More to the point, its just not the sonic force forward that the original was.
As far as the sound, you have to start with vocalist Geoff Tate. Gone are the days where he could battle the physics of shattering glass with his high pitched squeal. He has settled into a rich, full tone that is a bit lower than his early years, but stronger which mixed with the music written for it to soar over. He sounds great on rockers like Im American and Murderer?. As for the band, they have really put it together this time out. Guitarists Mike Stone and Michael Wilton have a thick wall of guitar throughout which brings the power to many of the songs. They riff it up hard on tracks like Signs Say Go, driving it hard against the killer underbelly created by bassist Eddie Jackson and drummer Scott Rockenfield. One of the most interesting songs on the CD is The Chase, which combines the vocals of Ronnie James Dio (as the bragging Dr. X) with Tate. Its a unique combination of two of the greatest vocalists of all time, yet neither truly dominate the song. As a band, they are as solid as theyve been in years. As a record, OPERATION MINDCRIME II is a success.
PITRIFF RATING 8/10 Its a relative impossibility that Queensryche could ever surpass the brilliance they created the first time around. Theres just too much time that has passed, and its conceived now; where in the beginning it probably was more of a magical inspiration they collectively had. Still, there is no denying that the latest release from the band is the best work theyve done in over a decade. An appropriate sequel to their best ever work, OPERATION MINDCRIME II delivers as most had hoped it would.
Added: Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Reviewer: Chris Akin
