ARTIST – GEOFF TATE

ALBUM – OPERATION MINDCRIME III

REVIEWER – GRAEME WRIGHT

I’ve had the same core friend group for over thirty years, and we have many varying and different tastes between us. We have spent many hours over the years discussing and arguing about the merits of hundreds of different bands and musical styles. There is one thing that we all agree on however, and it’s the fact that Operation Mindcrime by Queensryche is the greatest album of all time. Some of you may think that’s hyperbole, and alternative opinions are available. However they’d all be wrong. The follow up album was OK, but it didn’t really come close to the mind blowing experience of the original. So here we are thirty eight years later, and Geoff Tate has independently produced a part three to the story.

This time the story concentrates on the misdoings of the antagonist of the original records, Dr.X rather than our original focal point Nikki. Here’s all you need to know. Is it as good as the first one? Of course it’s not. Does Geoff hit the vocal highlights of the original? Well he has the occasional wobble, but he’s pretty impressive for the most part. The production here from Disturbed man John Moyer is a little bit too clinical for me compared to part one, but it’s fine for the most part. It took me a while to get on board with this record, a good half a dozen listens before some of the songs started to hit home. I’ve seen Geoff Tate perform Operation Mindcrime live and it’s clear that he’s still invested in this world, even though some of the songs here don’t really advance the story. When it works it really works well. Heartfelt and ominous vocals, some incredible guitar work and a mix that sounds somewhat like the original.

I’m not going to cover every song, some people may find a lack of energy in parts and a focus on story rather than music a bit disconcerting, but I found even the lesser tracks contained enough elements of the original themes to keep me interested. Highlights include first single ‘Power’ which is a quality piece of work, ‘The Devil’s Breath’ which is closest in quality to part one, and ‘Do You Still Believe?’ with its beautiful piano opening and angsty anxious vocal which I enjoyed a lot.

So, this obviously doesn’t hold a candle to the original. It’s better than part two however, and if you give it time to breathe it may well sink its claws into your psyche. Ultimately I liked it a lot – I’ve read wildly varying opinions of this one, so give it a few listens, you never know it may be the ultimate grower of an album.

ALBUM TRACK LIST

1. The Scene of the Crime
2. You Know My Fucking Name
3. The Answer
4. Vulnerable
5. I’ll Eat Your Heart Out
6. Do You Still Believe?
7. The Devil’s Breath
8. Ascension
9. Set You Free
10. Descension
11. Power
12. You Can’t Walk Away Now
13. A Monster Like Me