ALL M@TM CD/DVDs MAILED OUT

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Queensryche - MINDCRIME AT THE MOORE (Rhino)

SOURCE:  http://pitriff.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Reviews&file=index&req=showcontent&id=840

Queensryche
MINDCRIME AT THE MOORE
Rhino Entertainment

Queensryche really took on a massive project last year when they decided after almost 20 years that it was time to revisit their best disc and update it with a fitting conclusion. While it certainly wasn’t received as well as it’s original, OPERATION MINDCRIME II put a clear exclamation point at the end of one of the best rock operas that recorded music has ever seen. Given that fact though, as well as given Queensryche’s longstanding ability to tell the first half of this tale from start to finish in concert, it left this Seattle band with an interesting dilemma. How in the world does a much older Queensryche go out, night after night for a year, and perform both halves of this massive undertaking without sacrificing the pageantry or the musical performance of such a detailed project? It was a legitimate question – one that even vocalist Geoff Tate acknowledged would be extremely difficult to do prior to the tour starting.

If fans learned anything from the last year, they learned that Queensryche was not only able to do it, but were able to fulfill the live, complete MINDCRIME experience far better than anyone could have ever envisioned going into the tour. Having seen the show live, I can honestly say that it was one of the most impressive three hour sets that I’ve ever experienced. With musical mastery as well as Broadway-like acting, Queensryche proved once again why they have stayed amongst the upper echelon of the “80s” bands while most of their contemporaries of the time have fallen to the level of half-filled small club act.

Now on CD and DVD, MINDCRIME AT THE MOORE chronicles this amazing undertaking in fine fashion. While it may not be the best live performance Queensryche has ever released, there’s no denying that it’s as must-have in a Queensryche collection as the original OPERATION MINDCRIME itself was. It sounds great, yet surprisingly does not come off as a mere repeat of the band’s OPERATION LIVECRIME release. Most notably different in the audio this time is the lack of over-production and touch ups that made the original LIVECRIME feel more like a studio release than an actual live recording. Sure, there are some parts of this that have been boosted to increase the sound, but the overall feel of this is very similar to what was experienced at the live show itself. Songs like “The Needle Lies” have a much more live feel to them, with some of Tate’s acting parts coming through. This doesn’t necessarily enhance the listening experience, but brings back the memory of experiencing the pain Tate was portraying as an actor on the stage the night I saw the show.

Most people will probably wonder how the second half of the MINDCRIME chronicle sounds. To be honest, it fits beautifully next to the 1988 classic original work. In this format, with guitarist Mike Stone playing all of the material live, the cohesiveness of the material is a bit more solid than if you listen to the two studio releases back to back. Stone’s flair on songs like “Signs Say Go” makes the second half of the album churn forward when compared to his work on the previously Chris Degarmo recorded material like “Electric Requiem” or “Waiting For 22”.

PITRIFF RATING – 8/10 - If you missed this tour and are a Queensryche fan, you really blew it. Thank the band the next time you see them for giving you this audio and the DVD. While it’s probably more of a release to complete a collection, it’s also a great chronicle of what may be, arguably, the band’s best tour in their history. This one is well done.


Added: Saturday, June 30, 2007
Reviewer: Chris Akin
Score: 4 stars

ALL M@TM CD/DVDs MAILED OUT

:: 04:16 ::

For those of you who pre-ordered either the CD, DVD or both... good news!  All orders (along with their autographed posters) have been mailed out.  If you should have any questions regarding your order, just let us know!

QR LINES UP IN STORE APPEARANCE

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Rhino Records and Samson Technologies will present an intimate acoustic performance and autograph signing with legendary rock band Queensrÿche on Saturday, July 21 at 3PM EDT at Looney Tunes in West Babylon, NY. The appearance coincides with the release of the band’s new live CD and DVD, Mindcrime At The Moore, available July 3 from Rhino. Access to the performance and signing will be extremely limited, reserved only to those who purchase the CD and DVD from the Looney Tunes store or website prior to the event.

Queensrÿche brought their highly acclaimed Operation: Mindcrime saga to the stage last year performing the original and its 2006 sequel in their entirety during the group’s successful North American tour. Mindcrime At The Moore, a double CD and DVD release, captures Queensrÿche’s epic performance in front of a hometown crowd at the Moore Theater in Seattle.

The CD includes singer and chief songwriter Geoff Tate along with guitarists Michael Wilton and Mike Stone, bassist Eddie Jackson, and drummer Scott Rockenfield performing all 32 Mindcrime tracks plus a two-song encore featuring their signature hits—“Jet City Woman” and “Walk In The Shadows.” In addition to the live performance, the DVD includes a tour documentary, a feature on the band’s “Rock & Ride Across America” charity motorcycle ride that raised over $80,000 for VH1’s Save The Music foundation, and a live performance of “The Chase” featuring Ronnie James Dio’s only public appearance as Dr. X.
“This concert is the realization of an idea that began nearly two decades ago,” says Tate. “The story and music of Operation: Mindcrime is very dear to the band. We are thrilled with this performance and proud to share it with our audience.”

The Looney Tunes performance will be Queensrÿche’s only acoustic presentation in this format and will be equipped by Samson Technologies.

Access to Queensrÿche’s acoustic performance and signing on Saturday, July 21 at 3PM EDT at Looney Tunes is limited to those who purchase the CD and DVD of Mindcrime At The Moore from the Looney Tunes store, located at 31 Brookvale Ave, West Babylon, NY, 11704, or website, www.looneytunescds.com. Those who receive access to the event will be allowed to have only two items signed -- the cover of the CD along with one other item, at the band’s discretion. No cameras or video recording will be allowed at this event.

For more information on the performance and signing, please visit the Looney Tunes website at www.looneytunescds.com.

THE FIRST M@TM REVIEW IS IN

:: 17:26 ::

The saga that spanned nearly two decades is complete. Queensryche's landmark concept album 'Operation: mindcrime' and it's 2006 sequel told us one of the most revered and debated stories in music hstory. "Who killed Mary?" "Could this really happen?" "Should it really happen?" Two incredible albums of rock, revenge and redemption that capitavated millions both at home and during the bands tour last year where they performed the entire story from start to finish, complete with actors and set changes. Now, one of those performances, recorded at the Moore Theater in the bands hometown of Seattle, is being released as a double cd live album on July 3rd....

(read the entire review at http://www.anarchymusic.net/2007/06/mindcrimeatthemoore )

THE RETURN OF HEAVEN AND HELL

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Ronnie James Dio, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Vinny Appice Continue Their Heralded Reunion With Fall Tour Of The States

Alice Cooper and Queensrÿche Round Out The Legendary Bill Of Rock Royalty Set To Begin September 5

Tickets For First Dates Go On Sale The Weekend Of June 22 With More Dates To Be Announced Soon

LOS ANGELES — Following the group’s successful spring tour, Heaven And Hell will again wow American audiences with its bewitching stage set and truly timeless, classic metal as Ronnie James Dio, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Vinny Appice return for the second U.S.leg of the quartet’s continuing world tour. Set to launch on September 5, Heaven and Hell’s tour will stop in many cities not included on the previous leg and will feature opening sets from Alice Cooper and Queensrÿche. Tickets for the first 12 dates will go on sale the weekend of June 22 with more dates to be announced soon. There will also be a special fan presale for the first dates beginning Wednesday, June 20 at 12 Noon EDT at http://heavenandhell.frontgatetickets.com.

Last year, the iconic quartet reconvened to record a trio of songs for Black Sabbath: The Dio Years, a compilation that features essential songs by the short-lived, but beloved incarnation of Black Sabbath fronted by Dio. Dubbing the group Heaven And Hell after one of its signature hits, the band launched a much-anticipated world tour earlier this year. The group celebrated its first U.S. concert in 15 years with a sold-out performance at Radio City Music Hall. Recorded and filmed in its entirety, Rhino captured the historic concert for a CD and DVD release, Heaven and Hell Live From Radio City Music Hall, set for an August 28 release.

Alice Cooper and Queensrÿche will join Heaven And Hell on the road this fall creating one of the year’s hardest-hitting triple bills. In addition to his duties as a rock ’n’ roll icon, Cooper is the host of the syndicated Nights With Alice Cooper radio show. Cooper’s autobiography, Alice Cooper, Golf Monster, was released last month. Queensrÿche is riding high on the success of last year’s Operation: mindcrime II album and tour, which brought the group’s complete Mindcrime saga to the stage in its entirety. On July 3, Rhino will release CD and DVD versions of Mindcrime At The Moore, which feature Queensrÿche’s performance in front of its hometown crowd at Moore Theatre in Seattle. 

For more information about Heaven and Hell Live, please go to www.heavenandhelllive.com

For more information about the Heaven and Hell Live fan presale, please go to heavenandhell.frontgatetickets.com

The Heaven and Hell Fall U.S. Tour will include the following stops with more dates to be announced soon.

SEPTEMBER
5 Binghampton, NY Broom County Arena
7 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Arena
8 Long Island, NY Jones Beach Amphitheatre
9 Mansfield, MA Tweeter Center
14 Tampa, FL St. Petersburg Times Forum
15 Sunrise, FL Bank Atlantic Center
16 Orlando, FL Amway Arena
25 Denver, CO Coors Amphitheatre
28 Reno, NV Reno Events Center
29 Kelseyville, CA Konocti Harbor
30 Concord, CA Sleep Train Amphitheatre

OCTOBER
2 Fresno, CA Selland Arena

M@TM INTERNATIONAL RELEASE DATES

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Mindcrime at the Moore is schedule to be released on the following dates, in the following countries:

United Sates / Canada:  July 3rd, 2007
Japan:  July 11th, 2007
Everywhere Else:  August 13th, 2007