REVIEW: Queensryche – Operation: Mindcrime II (2006)

QUEENSRYCHE – Operation: Mindcrime II (2006 Rhino)

10 years ago, when this project finally saw the light of day, a lot of fans were expecting it to be 1988 all over again. However, there were many reasons why they shouldn’t have.

1. Longtime guitarist/songwriter Chris DeGarmo, such an integral part of the original Mindcrime, had been out of the band for quite some time.
2. Geoff Tate’s voice didn’t have that high-note power it once had.
3. The band never intended to pretend it was still 1988. This album is a continuation, 18 years later, and as such the music has changed somewhat as well.  The albums are meant to complement each other, not duplicate each other.

Scan_20160510 (2)The story picks up with Nikki, the anti-hero from the original Mindcrime, finally being released from prison, 18 years after the events of the first album. He begins to piece together his memories of what happened. He decides to pay Dr. X a visit (“X marks the spot”, goes the lyric), who is deliciously played by the late Ronnie James Dio.  For die-hard Dio followers, this was a real treat. Dio sings as if in a stage production, which I’ve never heard him do before. Pamela Moore reprises her role of Sister Mary, playing a larger role and appearing on more songs. She’s a great complement to Geoff Tate, who clearly revels in the chance to do something dramatic like this.

New second guitar player Mike Stone (ex-Criss) gels very nicely with Michael Wilton, playing dual guitar leads that Queensryche of old would have been proud of. At the same time, modern technology has creeped into the production in the form of sequencers and samples, to remind us that this was 2006.  Still, Eddie Jackson’s bass had never been recorded this well before; he should be very proud of his rumble. Scott Rockenfield’s back to playing some serious metallic drumming as well, leaving behind some of his tribal influences for the moment.

So, the actual sound of Mindcrime II is amazing. The songs however are not up to the very high standards that Mindcrime I set. There is no “I Don’t Believe In Love” or “Eyes Of A Stranger”, although some songs like “The Hands” come pretty close, with an amazing metallic riff and great chorus. (Did anyone else notice a few bars of music from “I Don’t Believe In Love” within “The Hands”? Listen again.) “I’m American” is lyrically fantastic, and angrier than anything Queensryche has done since Q2K. “Chase” is the one featuring Dio, and the one I keep coming back to.

The thing about Queensryche albums is, they do tend to get better with time.  Maybe they were always slightly ahead of the curve, or more likely they just take a few listens to absorb.  It’s been a decade now, and few of the Mindcrime II songs remain lodged in the my brain.  Meanwhile, I could hum any song from the first one.  In particular, the second side of Mindcrime II really takes a drop.  Tracks like “Fear City Slide” do not have the impact of “I Don’t Believe in Love”, and the closer “All the Promises” fails to deliver.  It’s a concept album after all, and the last song is like the last scene in a movie.  It should be memorable.

Will Mindcrime II ever become classic like the original? Doubtful. As soon as you name something with a “II” behind it, you’re painting yourself into a corner, but Queensryche have done about as good a job as the fans could have expected.  It seems many fans have warmed up to it over the years, though it certainly cannot be considered equal with the original.

3/5 stars

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17 comments

  2. Recall seeing adds about this album MIKEY but my RycheTime had passed as I kinda bailed after Hear In The Now( I think that’s what is was called..around 97 or so?)
    Good on them for taking a crack at it but it could have been for a resurgence as well in sales?

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    1. Yes sir your memory is good. That’s the album and that’s the year. Final DeGarmo album/tour.

      This may have been a resurgence in sales, I don’t recall man. It wasn’t enough to really keep me excited although the band kept busy at this time. They did this one, then the double live, the covers album, the double greatest hits album, and American Soldier all within a couple years.

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  3. Super write-up about a record I may never hear! Haha. Best part: DIO! Nice one.

    I got the first Mindcrime as a 2CD set for $3 through James (I think) and an HMV sale. I still haven’t even spent proper time with it yet.

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        5. I’ll ask him – maybe there were two Tates present.

          Don’t tell anyone but I only bought Mindcrime for the first time in 2014.

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    2. I’ve heard that story, but I don’t really buy it. This was one of my most-anticipated albums in my lifetime, having grown up with the original Mindcrime. I bought this one the day it came out, and I still love it. I like it almost as much as the original, by far Queensryche’s best album since Empire or Promised Land. There’s been so much s**t-slinging the in Queensryche camp the past five or so years with the split and everything that I take everything I read about this sort of thing, with a grain of salt, as should anyone.

      Either way, nice writeup.

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      1. Hey tan, thanks for this comment!!

        I truthfully don’t know what to believe about these Queensryche albums to tell the truth. I’ve always assumed the credits were correct but who knows.

        I always enjoy when I hear folks such as yourself who have grown to love this album. I often wonder what I might be missing! But music is such a personal experience.

        Cheers!

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