Queensrÿche - Operation: Mindcrime (1988)

"I used to trust the media
To tell me the truth, tell us the truth
But now I've seen the payoffs
Everywhere I look
Who do you trust when everyone's a crook?"

I got the inspiration for this review after seeing discussion on this album on a forum and having listened to it just a couple of days ago. Operation: Mindcrime is progressive metal pioneer Queensrÿche's third full-length studio album and one of the most iconic rock operas of all time.

Without giving too much of the plot away I can give a brief summary: the story revolves around a junkie called Nikki, who gets brainwashed by a revolutionary organization led by Dr. X and becomes an assassin who murders political figures. However, things get more complicated after he falls in love with a hooker-turned-nun named Mary, and he starts to question his mission.

In addition to the story running throughout the album, all the songs on Mindcrime are linked together by segues, and there are a few interlude tracks filling in the gaps. Although the album is considered a progressive metal classic, the songs on it may not fit everyone's definition of the genre nowadays, as they're musically closer to traditional heavy metal and fairly straightforward compared to the music of, say, Dream Theater. However, the 10-minute-long "Suite Sister Mary" is an anomaly: this duet between Geoff Tate and Pamela Moore (playing the role of Mary) is a very dramatic and theatrical song. For that reason it's not a favorite of mine, but you can't deny the passion in the singers' performances.

The highlight of the album for me is "The Mission" with its eerie acoustic guitars and haunting orchestrations. Guitarist Chris DeGarmo had a great ear for melodies and brought in strong Pink Floyd and Rush influences, as evidenced by this song, as well as "Breaking the Silence" and album closer "Eyes of a Stranger", which includes impressive vocals by Tate. DeGarmo forms a great guitar tandem with Michael Wilton, who contributed some heavier anthemic songs, such as "Revolution Calling" and "Speak". Eddie Jackson's rumbling bass sound and playing are a crucial part of the title-track and "I Don't Believe in Love", while drummer Scott Rockenfield shows his chops on "Spreading the Disease" and the furious "The Needle Lies".

While Operation: Mindcrime is a great album, it isn't my favorite Queensrÿche record - that honor goes to its precedessor Rage for Order (1986). The only weaknesses that keep Mindcrime from the throne are its cold production and that some of the tracks just don't work outside of the album on their own. However, the concept of Mindcrime isn't dated even after 27 years, and the impact of the album remains strong despite the watered-down sequel released in 2006 and all the lawsuit drama that has surrounded Queensrÿche in recent years.

 Rating: 4.5/5