Operation: Mindcrime II Review
BY Jere
Album Specs:
Track Listing:
1. Freiheit Ouvertüre
2. Convict
3. I'm 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. A Murderer?
12. Circles
13. If I Could Change It All
14. An Intentional Confrontation
15. A Junkie's Blues
16. Fear City Slide
17. All The Promises
Album produced by: Queensryche & Jason Slater.
Queensryche is: Geoff Tate - Vocals. Mike Stone and Michael Wilton - Guitars.
Eddie Jackson - Bass. Scott Rockenfield - Drums.
Additional musicians: Pamela Moore as Sister Mary. Ronnie James Dio as Dr. X.
Track by Track Breakdown:
1 & 2 - Freiheit Ouvertüre & Convict - Revisiting the story of Mindcrime it
picks back up with the introduction/lead in tracks where Feriheit Ouvertüre
gives listeners the build up of 18 years of anticipation with a dark
orchestrations the bass and drums dominate as a backing strings section put more
emotional force into the buildup which then segues into Convict that features
some quick dialogue as Nikki finally re-enters society after being sent away for
his atrocious crimes.
3. I'm American - The opening riff feels like the Queensryche of old but things
take a different turn as soon as Geoff voraciously sings the opening lyric the
band quickly matches up to the intensity and at times it does sound like the
Ryche is trying to add a bit of nu-metal influence to their sound. It takes time
to get adjusted to the feel as this is not the Queensryche we heard in 1988,
however once you listen to the track a couple times and listen to the lyrics and
see how Geoff and crew have written them to fit in today's ideals with the views
being very powerful and true to what is happening in the world currently. Plus
with Nikki coming back into the world and seeing how things have changed it
offers a new outlook on what has happened since the 18 years he has been
incarcerated from society.
4. One Foot In Hell - Features once again those all to familiar heavy guitars
and while this song has modern overtones the main riff reminds me a lot of the
one from Jet City Woman so the guys haven't forgot their roots altogether in
fact this is probably one of the best tracks from Queensryche in quite some time
with all the classic elements out in full force - strong lyrics, Geoff Tate's
characteristic voice, and in the case of Mindcrime moving the story forward and
reflecting on the tortured soul of Nikki, the hell he had to live with, and now
how he sets the path of his revenge and seeking self-redemption.
5. Hostage - Were only a couple tracks in and once again Queensryche unload all
their songwriting might into another epic piece with the riff-laden build up
leads into a mid-tempo rocker featuring dominant acoustic undertones brought
into to offer not only diversity but more substance to the overall product.
There is no denying that Queensryche have returned... Hostage is the song that
many fans have been waiting for as the band have rekindled that spark that made
them one of the most prolific artists in metal. Lyrically this is some of the
group's best work since Empire so if anyone had their doubts if Operation
Mindcrime II was going to achieve the impossible, now is a good time to start
believing again.
6. The Hands - For those fans who wanted the Ryche to return to 1988 well here
you go the intro to The Hands sounds like it could fit on the original Mindcrime
and if that's not enough Geoff Tate does his part and then some using his
influential voice speaking some eerily delivered dialogue before the song really
kicks in The chorus oozes all the heavy elements that Queensryche established on
their rise to fame while getting back down to basics featuring a very raw feel
and delivery and in essence another track masterfully crafted and will go down
as one of the best songs, if not the best, on the entire disc.
7. Speed Of Light - Now the album takes another turn as the band start to really
get into the deeper parts of the story Tate delivers a stellar vocal performance
reaching back with all his will and once again showing everyone that he still
has that awe-inspiring voice. The guitars interchange from being soft and mellow
at some parts and then in other parts driving the song to the point where they
offer the drive and at parts it sounds like Queensryche is dipping into old
influences like Zeppelin's Kashmir yet drawing from modern vibes such as Rage
Against The Machine... I know that statement will make some readers go -
What?!?! but don't worry its still very much Queensryche.
8. Signs Say Go - Undeniably one of the most hard edged rockers throughout the
entire release, the modern influences are out in full force and while some might
wonder why a band like Queensryche continues to explore the modern tones in all
honesty I think this only helps guide not only Mindcrime II but the band as they
combine the heavy progressiveness of their sound with the effective writing
technique that they have developed in the 20 + years of their career.
9. Re-Arrange You - What I like about this track is that is pulls at you even
after you're done listening to the entire album it ends up leaving a profound
effect on you. I'm willing to bet that this will the stir the pot even further
in Ryche's modern sound at the same time I think it will become a fan favorite
with over the top orchestrations as the string section makes a full return. The
progressive side of Mindcrime II comes to the forefront again with the
production values on Re-Arrange You being real unified and leaning towards a
full-on rock opera feel, everything gels smoothly as Queensryche continue onward
defying the odds.
10. The Chase - Well here we go the moment everyone has been waiting 18 years
for... Nikki and Dr. X confront one another and let me tell you this is one jaw
dropping track as Geoff Tate and the metal god himself Ronnie James Dio spew
lyrics back and forth and listening to these two great singers deliver these
heart wrenching lyrics at one another you can feel the confrontation in their
voices, pure bliss for all metal fans that all I can say and with The Chase you
can really get a deeper look into how Dr. X manipulated Nikki to a point that he
was nothing more than a pawn in X's grand scheme.
11. A Murderer? - Progressive, melodic, heavy, and nearly crossing over to death
metal are the words that best summarize this track. The barrage of guitars
featured here are not only in your face but compliment Geoff's unsympathetic
vocals on this cut but once things slow down and build up for a haunting chorus
that is a infusion of high energy and emotion wrapped into one.
12. Circles - Next up is what is best described as a interlude between songs as
it starts out and progresses to where sings a verse for the first 50 seconds of
the track and then the rest is pretty much some powerful instrumentals as the
third and final act of Mindcrime II is about to begin...
13. If I Could Change It All - A dramatic turn comes as the album slows down and
the first ballad makes it presence felt. If I Could Change It brings out a
passionate duet between Nikki and Sister Mary with the conclusion of the song
features more of those powerful orchestrations with a choir providing an almost
heavenly but also very chilling aura for listeners.
14. An Intentional Confrontation - As the title suggests it's time for another
confrontation this time Nikki and Mary struggle with one another on Nikki's past
and now that he has control over his life what will he do? From the legacy that
is Mindrime this is the troubled soul trying to find redemption in himself and
with the inner turmoil eats away at Nikki must come to grips once again. While
this piece is heavy in demeanor its not as powerful as the confrontation between
Dr. X and Nikki however it moves the story along and serves its purpose.
15. A Junkie's Blues - As the conclusion draws near Queensryche haven't
disappointed in producing a hard rockin' predecessor to the original Mindcrime
and continue to build the material in an epic nature and once again the band
give fans all they could ask for with the beginning of this track being a minute
long guitar intro before things finally mellow down and Geoff uses that
superhuman voice of his to deliver more dialogue before launching into another
standout vocal performance. Again the strings are present and only help in
complimenting the rest of the band as the contemporary ambiance feels like Ryche
taking a page out of Evanescence's book while retaining a classic influence.
16. Fear City Slide - The final rocker on the disc meshes the grittiness of
Signs Say Go with several mid-tempo elements and the vigorous complexity of a
exciting main chorus. I'd have to say not as memorable as Hostage or The Hands
but what it lacks in hooks it makes up for in sheer power, in other words this
is probably my guilty pleasure of the album.
17. All The Promises - The final chapter, the conclusion, after Queensryche
spent two decades molding a genre and being an innovator delivering one of the
most potent and realistic stories in the history of rock everything ends with a
tender acoustic based ballad and here we have the two prominent characters of
Nikki and Sister Mary sharing the spotlight as they so rightfully deserve its
safe to say even though the CD concludes with a soft opus it certainly goes out
with a bang.
The Rundown:
For as long as there have been prolific artists in music there have been albums
that inspired legions and for Queensryche they are most prominently remembered
for a little masterpiece called Operation Mindcrime. It is simply amazing that
nearly 18 years after its initial release many still hold Mindcrime as the holy
grail of concept albums and without a shadow of a doubt is one of the most
definitive albums from the age when metal ruled the masses. I mean lets face it
at the time it was released there was nothing quite like it, Mindcrime was
revolutionary... Here was a band who put together a compelling/complex story to
music and did it with such persistence that it garnered the group the phrase
"The thinking man's metal band". This is a title that the group didn't earn
overnight and is one that I have seen very few bands live up to the complexity
that Queensryche has put into their material.
I think what people will have to realize with Operation Mindcrime II is this not
an album that was intended to be released to surpass the original, Geoff Tate
and the rest of the guys wanted to continue the story and many devoted followers
wanted answers to questions left at the end of the first Mindcrime while still
upholding certain values that Ryche instituted 18 years back. Expectations will
run high and reactions will vary nevertheless Queensryche have expanded the
story through provocative songwriting being the key redeeming factor to the
group's exploration of modern directions in the last nine years, in essence the
'thinking man's metal band' has made a return.
+'s (Positives)
+ Heaviest Queensryche album in a long, long time - The last few Ryche studio
albums have taken the band in new directions but for many they wanted
Queensryche to return to their past and while Mindcrime II isn't a full return
we do get some heavy hard rockin' tracks that I believe will satisfy those who
have waited this long, there is something for every fan whether classic Ryche or
the directions the band took on in Hear In The Now Frontier and Q2K.
+ Songwriting methods of the past make their return - The Operation Mindcrime
legacy has featured some of the most prolific songwriting in music history.
Geoff Tate is the key mastermind in creating thought provoking lyrics and its
great to hear the continuation of the story as well as the conflict that Nikki
has been going through in the past 18 years and now that he is free the
struggles to change himself, confront Dr. X, and redeem himself. Whether or not
you will call Operation Mindcrime II a worthy sequel one thing that you won't be
able to deny is the songwriting is the drive, the story is taken in a new
direction and we finally get answers to questions for everyone who has held the
original Mindcrime in high regards.
-'s (Negatives)
- A return to classic elements but not to be taken as a full reincarnation of
Mindcrime I - If you are expecting the return of Queensryche of 1988 sorry to
disappoint but you won't find it here. The classic elements are there several
riffs on songs like One Foot In Hell, Hostage, and The Hands sound like 1988 all
over again yet the modern tones are always present. Your reaction to Mindcrime
II depends on if you'll be able to accept where Queensryche are currently at in
their career, the whole album still sounds very much like Queensryche so if
given time I think most will find this as a commendable follow-up to the
original.
Overall:
The question on everyone's mind when it comes to a release this significant in
Queensryche's career is will this release match up to the original Operation
Mindcrime? In my opinion this is the group's best release in the last ten years
and to a certain extent ranks in there with 1990's Empire. Now I wasn't at an
age to fully interpret and understand the influence and power of Operation
Mindcrime when it hit but looking at where it is today it not only stands up but
I think the rise of the album to this almost epic stature was all in near
perfect timing when labels let artists explore and release the albums that they
wanted. Looking back at the last 15 years there really hasn't been a concept
album to match up to the Mindcrime I. It is very innovative and fitting for
Queensryche to once again explore that realm and bring fans back into the thick
of the storyline that has captivated legions.
Geoff Tate has stated that Mindcrime II fits well with historic and political
events happening today and listening to a song like I'm American is a perfect
example of how a brilliant lyricist like Tate can observe what has happened in
recent history and has tied it all together like the original Mindcrime was a
shadow of the events of the late 80s. Where Mindcrime I talked about revolution
and Nikki being a brain-washed junky to do Dr. X's dirty work without any second
thought or remorse Mindcrime II explores his thirst for retribution while
exploring the character more in depth than someone who wants to bring closure
and be forgiven for his the carnage he caused. Sitting down and listening to
both albums in succession really fleshes out the story and I think will offer
more people not only a sense of completion but the story with the new elements
prove why Queensryche have remained one of the most prolific bands in metal.
What is going to throw some off is the band's continuation to embrace modern
elements. Whenever an artist tries to expand on their sound they won't keep
beating a dead horse over and over again so a progression to adapt to some of
today's sounds seems only natural. For Queensryche though the last 10 years have
treaded new ground and separated core fans to a point where many questioned if
the guys would be able to get back to supplying the thought-provoking lyrics of
Mindcrime. The fact of the matter is there will be people who won't be satisfied
with the extension of the story, some will consider it sacrilege, but there is
nothing that degrades Mindcrime II it accomplishes what Tate and company set out
to do and while its not up to par with the original its time to put trust in the
Ryche again, they guide us to the path its now up to you if you decide whether
or not to go down it.
Final Rating For "Queensryche - Operation Mindcrime II":
0.50 Points = Transitions / Order
0.50 Points = Fun Factor
1 Point = Instruments / Vocal Sound
1 Point = Writing / Lyrics
1 Point = Overall Design / Feel
Overall Total: 4/5
Favorite songs: The Hands, Hostage, Re-Arrange You, A Murderer?, The Chase, A
Junkie's Blues.
SOURCE:
http://www.shipwreckislandstudios.com/albumreviews/2006/mindcrimeii.htm