Queensryche - Operation: Mindcrime II
- Released: 2006
- Label: Rhino
- Rating:
So, here I am, on my way to work and I’m completely drained. I needed to have a fix but not just any fix, I needed a metal fix to get my juices flowing; the long, 9 hour work day ahead. I honestly couldn’t wait for this album to come out, and now that it has, and I have listened to it (twice in a row in fact), I feel like a better man for it. This is a fantastic album.
Let’s get to the meat and potatoes of the review now, the actual music rather than just my babbling. Operation: Mindcrime, released in 1988, was a legendary metal album. It was about a lost, desperate teenager who falls into a life of crime after he is recruited by the head of a small, political revolution faction named Dr. X. The story’s protagonist, Nikki, does a lot of things that cause him to lose his humanity until he falls in love with a prostitute-turned-nun named Marie, and as they say, the rest is history. I won’t give away the story as it is heralded as one of the best concept albums of all time; some boldly say, including me, the best concept album of all time. The music was played with passion, the lyrics painted a vivid scenario in my mind, the story contained twists and freakishly chilling moments and Geoff Tate gave a hell of a performance. I felt every word and came to care about the characters in the story, just like a good book. The album had a small impact on those who listened to it because it was more than just an album, it was an experience better than most movies.
Since then the Queensryche boys have had it rough; they haven’t really released much worth listening to. In fact, I’d go as far to say that since then, it’s been all shit albums, with the exception of Empire. Finally, to gain some of their former ground and glory which they lost after Tribes, Queensryche decided in a last ditch effort to release a sequel to their monument. Many are skeptical about it, many feel they’re just gonna ruin the glory of part one. Some are hopeful and have faith the boys will release a worthy successor filled with the same magic that part one had. Skeptics vs. Hopefuls: whose beliefs reign supreme? The hopefuls, of course.
Operation: Mindcrime II is an awesome album and is one of the best CD’s I’ve heard in the past couple of months, without question. It’s still early in the year, but it’s definitely going to finish in my top metal albums of ‘06 list. Mindcrime II did exactly what the first one did for me and in actuality, gave me a bit more.
Upon opening we’re greeted to an unfamiliar intro; I was expecting something nostalgic or similar to #1 as an intro, but instead we’re greeted by soft, quiet noises and eventually, a guard opening a jail cell and saying “You’re free, convict.” And so the story begins. The energetic “I’m American” is like a blast back to the past and very similar to “Revolution Calling”. Right from there, my doubts that this album would rock flew out the window because it had the exact same mood and feeling as Mindcrime, which I’m sure is what Geoff was aiming for and I’m glad to say the mood lasts for most of the album.
The story is just as well-written and thought out as Mindcrime was, so no worries there. It takes place a few years after the original tale, and Nikki is set free from jail. He has gone slightly insane from the memories of his lost love Mary, who he still sees sometimes. After giving up trying to get his life back together, he vows to get revenge on the man who took everything away, Dr. X. The story remains interesting through and through and there wasn’t one moment where I wasn’t wondering what would happen next. From the release of Nikki’s jail cell, to the confrontation between him and Dr. X, to his flooding memories of Mary, to his contemplations of suicide. I was clinging on the whole time. In other words, the story is very, very interesting and on par with Mindcrime. I was expecting a shitty story in all honesty, but I was pleasantly surprised.
I also find it great that there seems to be three chapters in the story. One would be Nikki’s struggle with life, the next would be the Dr. X chapter and the third would be the Mary chapter. Different moods and different sounds accompany each chapter which I totally dug. The first is a rocker with no frills or surprises, but it still makes for good listening. The second is a fire-cracker and appropriately so. It’s very energetic, loud and angry which is appropriate for the climax. I love this section! The third is very emotional and powerful and the energy takes a backseat in favor of a softer, darker sound which works wonders.
You’ll also be pleased that Dr. X and Marie each make a return vocally for this time around. I don’t know if this Marie is the same woman who played old Marie but they sound very similar. In fact, I’d go as far to say that new Marie’s vocals are better. She’s adds a hell of a lot more depth to the album. Her voice is very strong and she actually feels the part rather than just singing. Between Geoff’s tortured cries countered by Marie’s yearning screams and mocking taunts, I was bamboozled. If you’re like me, you hate female vocals in metal, let me tell you that this works. I usually find female vocals to be cliched and out of place but they work wonders on this album. The great thing is, her enchanting voice can be heard on many tracks rather than just the two on Mindcrime.
Dr. X is played by the legendary Ronnie James Dio. Dio, for those who don’t know, is known as one of the best vocalists in rock. I have never found his vocals that great. In fact, I find his voice annoying. I thought it was cool when I heard Dio would play Dr. X, but I didn’t think it would work. Well, it works! While Dio only does vocals on one track, and for a surprisingly short time it works like a charm. You simply must hear the confrontation of Nikki and Dr. X; Geoff’s voice yelling at Dio, while Dio yells at Geoff. It’s an awesome effect.
The real star vocalist though is, of course Geoff. I would say he gives his best performance ever on this album, and tops that of the one on Mindcrime. You would almost swear Geoff was the drugged up murderer. Geoff uses his voice not only to sing, but to convey the emotion of the situation. While his voice regularly remains in the same voice, he uses it to great extent. When his character’s mad, you feel it. When he’s desperate, you feel it. When he’s sad, you feel it. When he’s…well, you get the idea. It adds so much more to the story.
The musicianship is very basic. There’s no awesome riffs or solos. No incredible harmonies or what have you. The music takes a back seat to the vocal fireworks and the story. This may be a problem for some, but I find it works. The music is there to set a mood of the scenario. I listened to this album for the escape, not the killer riff. Don’t get me wrong though, the music is great. Apparently it’s just not what Queensryche wanted to focus on.
While I spent this time praising Mindcrime II, I do have some complaints. I was very disappointed that there wasn’t enough nostalgic moments from the first album. I dunno why, but I think it would have been cool if they had a couple updated old riffs from Mindcrime thrown in there as an easter egg, or maybe an old track re-done with different lyrics and a different sound or an old chorus featured. I only counted one familiar melody on the whole album, I was kinda upset and you might be too. Another thing is that sometimes the tracks are a bit too repetitive and sometimes they get stale. You just want Geoff to stop repeating the damn chorus and move on with the story.
The album is also not doing anything new. It’s very unoriginal and predictable. Then again, what is original these days? All songs follow the basic verse-chorus-verse-chorus-instrumental formula and none of the tracks particularly make you think, “didn’t see that coming.” In all it’s what you’re expecting, but that’s good, right?
That’s not to say that the tracks won’t stick in your head though. The songs are all very different from each other, musically and vocally, and a couple songs have neat little gimmicks in them to make you smile. Each track has something different to offer, whether it be the awesome energy and passion of one or the tormented feel of another or the vocal interplays of another. Sadly, there are some weaker songs on the album; ones that really did nothing for me.
My biggest complaint, however, is the ending. I have nothing against the way the story ends, it’s just the song. Such a fine ending to such a great story should have been handled better. It’s the song, it’s not…big enough. It just ends softly and doesn’t leave much of an impression. I feel the closing to an album is extremely important, especially to a story. I’m sorry to say Queensryche fumbled the ball on the ending. Not that it wasn’t chilling, it just ended. I remember thinking, “that’s it, that’s the final track? That sucked!” But that’s just me. I’m sure others will like the final track and the way they presented it, but I was expecting something more powerful.
In conclusion, while it’s not a perfect album, neither was Mindcrime. You may be asking yourself, “which one is better, Mindcrime or Mindcrime II?” Honestly, I feel they shouldn’t be compared and should just stand alone as albums…but I’m not gonna rip you off your answer. In my opinion, it’s a tough one, but I’d have to go with the original Operation: Mindcrime. It’s better written and had more energy. One thing’s for sure though, Queensryche have released a worthy successor to the original, so put your fears aside and pick this up! You won’t be disappointed. They truly do justice to a fine album.
Brent C. | 06/23/2006