ONLINE STORE CHANGES, FEBRUARY 1ST

:: 10:46 ::

Starting February 1st, some changes will be made to the online store; a new shipping/handling pricing and policy structure, changes to fan club members and renewals, etc.  If you haven't yet purchased a fan club membership or need to renew anytime soon, we suggest you do so now.  Thanks!

To purchase or renew your membership, click here!

MICHAEL WILTON ESP SIGNATURE GUITAR

:: 14:43 ::

http://espguitars.com/news/news_wilton.htm

Michael Wilton, a founding member of the respected metal band Queensrÿche, has designed his first signature guitar for ESP. The guitar will be available this spring under both the ESP and LTD brands.

“We’re very proud that Michael Wilton turned to ESP for the creation of his signature models,” says Allen Steelgrave, ESP Director of Marketing and Artist Relations. “As a player and a member of Queensrÿche, Michael is known worldwide not only for his virtuosity, but his innovative performance and compositional style. He’s been an ESP player for many years, and it’s great that his fans will now be able to get the same guitar that he plays, down to the last detail.”

The ESP Wilton and LTD MW-600 are the new Michael Wilton Signature Series models from ESP Guitars. Both models use a familiar double-cutaway body shape, and employ an alder body with a unique black finish with a custom skull graphic that Michael defined for his original ESP Custom Shop version. The maple neck uses a bolt-on design at a 25.5” scale. Both the ESP Wilton and LTD MW-600 feature a maple fingerboad with 22 extra jumbo frets and diamond-shaped inlays. An original Floyd Rose tremolo, Sperzel locking tuners, Seymore Duncan JB/59 pickups, and chrome hardware complete the spec on this high-performance guitar.

Additionally, the ESP Wilton model will feature skull graphics that glow in the dark, a look familiar to Queensrÿche concert-goers since Wilton had the same treatment applied to his custom ESP.  Both the LTD MW-600 and the ESP Wilton will be available from authorized LTD and ESP dealers early in 2006.

MINDCRIME II BANNERS

:: 14:43 ::

Some Operation: Mindcrime II banners for you to use on your website!  Enjoy!

MINDCRIME II PROMO CD

:: 09:56 ::

Yes, I am a lucky man today!  But that's not why I'm posting this (honestly).  I'm here to show you that the ball has begun to roll... and oh how "heavy" this ball is!  Over the next several days I'll be posting my thoughts on the Message Board, sharing my thoughts on the songs, comparing it to the original, etc.  Sure, my opinions are going to be a bit biased I'll admit.  If you don't like spoilers (I won't give any of the story away) then stay away!  Otherwise, if you're into a little teasing, bragging and self promotion... come on by!

For my first impression (not listening to it yet) I must say that I'm a little frightened by the printing on the CD.  Take a closer look, you'll see what I mean.  Scare tactic?  Perhaps?  Legit?  Perhaps?   Still a bit intimidating. 

PHOTOS FROM GT'S EU PRESS TOUR

:: 09:31 ::

Double Short Americano Please! (England)	I've been waiting for you, come in... (Germany)	MIA: Blu-Blockers (Norway)

Geoff sent in some photos from his European press tour.  Enjoy!

 MINDCRIME II RELEASE IN GERMANY / NEW SINGLE

:: 14:20 ::

Look out Germany... Operation: Mindcrime II hits stores on March 31st, 2006.

And the first single has been changed to "I'm American".  Storyboards for the video were completed last week and will begin shooting late next week.  Look for the video and single to debut towards the end of February.  Once the date firms, we'll let you know.

MINDCRIME II JAPAN RELEASE DATE

:: 04:19 ::

Look out Japan... Operation: Mindcrime II hits stores on March 29th, 2006.

GEOFF TATE HEADS TO EU ON HIS BDAY

:: 15:24 ::

Look out Europe, Geoff Tate maybe invading your town!  On January 14th he leaves for Europe on a 2 week press tour to promote Operation: Mindcrime II.  His stops will include both radio and television, so keep an ear/eye out! 

DISTURBED PAYS TRIBUTE TO QUEENSRYCHE!

:: 13:10 ::

Fans of both Queensryche & Disturbed will be quite pleased!  Last night during soundcheck at Disturbed's show in Spokane, they warmed up by playing over half of Opeartion: Mindcrime!  How cool is that?  Oh, I also happened upon this photo from Sturgis 2005... if you look really hard, you might find a famous survivor in the back!  ;-)

NEW OM2 RELEASE DATE, TRACK LIST & SINGLE/VIDEO?

:: 15:29 ::

Operation: Mindcrime II has a new release date.  It's been moved out to April 4th, 2006.  That's the bad news...

The good news... the album mixing and mastering was completed earlier this week.  It's off to the presses now!

The track listing has been reworked a bit and 2 news tracks have been added.  "Freiheit Ouvertüre" is the infamous "intro" all you fans have been chattering about, with Convict being a new one just newly added:

1)   Freiheit Ouvertüre
2)   Convict.
3)   I¹m American. 
4)   One foot in Hell.
5)   Hostage.
6)   The Hands. 
7)   Speed of Light.
8)   Signs say Go.
9)   Re-arrange You.
10)  The Chase.
11)  Murderer?
12)  Circles. 
13)  If I could change it all.
14)  An intentional confrontation.
15)  A Junkie¹s Blues.
16)  Fear City Slide.
17)  All the Promises.

The first single has also been chosen, and it's "The Hands".  A video is also being shot and filmed starting next week.  A release date will be posted here shortly.

The band will also start their photo shoots early next week.