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Queensryche: Operation Mindcrime II

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I've known this has been in the works for some time, but I finally saw the official press release. Heard a live version of one of the new tracks too on www.queensryche.com. For fans of the original, I think this disc is going to please.
REVENGE, ROCK, REDEMPTION -- QUEENSRYCHE’S OPERATION: MINDCRIME II

Long-Awaited Sequel to Platinum-Selling Concept Album Available From Rhino April 6

LOS ANGELES — Queensrÿche returned to the studio this summer to record the long-anticipated sequel to 1988’s acclaimed concept album Operation: Mindcrime. Praised by critics and certified platinum, the original remained on Billboard’s album chart for more than a year and its dynamic music and powerful message still resonate today. Rhino Records helps unravel the mysteries of the original with OPERATION: MINDCRIME II. The album is available April 6 at regular physical and digital retail outlets and at www.rhino.com for a suggested retail price of $18.98.

OPERATION: MINDCRIME II contains a 15-song story and is performed by the Seattle-based quintet – singer and chief songwriter Geoff Tate; guitarists Michael Wilton and Mike Stone; bassist Eddie Jackson, and drummer Scott Rockenfield.

Tate says the current political and social climate inspired him to revisit the storyline. “I left the original open-ended with the intent to come back with a sequel to finish the story up,” he says. “Considering where we are today and how little things have changed, it was too ironic not to continue the story.”

Operation: Mindcrime’s intriguing and complex plot revolves around Dr. X, a political puppet master who brainwashes Nikki, the story’s main character, to assassinate corrupt public figures. The story also includes Nikki’s lover, Sister Mary. A former teenage prostitute who becomes a nun, Sister Mary is murdered mysteriously, leaving the cliffhanger “Who Killed Sister Mary?”

Set 20 years after the original, OPERATION: MINDCRIME II explores Nikki’s fate after being released from prison and reveals the identity of Mary’s killer. “I tried to put myself in Nikki’s shoes and imagine what it would be like for him to come back to society after spending 20 years in jail stewing about what happened to him,” Tate says. “I became fascinated with the concept of revenge and what that would do to a person like Nikki. The story is ultimately about how Nikki wrestles with his conflicted emotions. On one side, his base instincts are pushing him to kill those who wronged him. On the other side, his conscience–represented by the spirit of Sister Mary – urges him to learn from his past mistakes and find salvation.”

Earlier this year Queensrÿche launched a sold-out tour featuring the original Operation: Mindcrime performed in its entirety with actors on stage portraying the characters alongside the band. Tate says the band plans to launch a tour in 2006 that will feature a stage performance of both Mindcrimes in their entirety. “The actors on stage with us add a new dimension to the music,” he says. “It’s different than your typical rock show, but the audiences really got into the Mindcrime I tour. It’s exciting to have the opportunity to combine both albums into one show. It’s going to be epic.”

Since its formation in 1981 near Seattle, Queensrÿche has released nine studio albums. Empire, the 1990 follow-up to Operation: Mindcrime, sold more than two million copies thanks in part to the enormous success of the hit, “Silent Lucidity.” Released in 1994, Promised Land was certified platinum and featured the hits “I Am I” and “Bridge.”

QUEENSRYCHE - OPERATION MINDCRIME II

1. “I'm American”
2. “One Foot In Hell”
3. “Hostage”
4. “The Hands”
5. “Speed Of Light”
6. “Signs Say Go (Will I Surrender?)”
7. “Re-Arrange You”
8. “The Chase”
9. “A Murderer”
10. “Circles”
11. “If I Could Change It All”
12. “An Intentional Confrontation”
13. “A Junkie's Blues (Everything Will Be Alright)”
14. “Fear City Slide”
15. “All The Promises”
I am fluent in over six million forms of procrastination.
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I'm both looking forward to and fearing this in the same way i was looking forward to and fearing ROTS. Queensryche have sucked for a long time now but this has the potential to be cool.

I hope it's not lame. And Operation: Livecrime was fantastic so there is hope yet.
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Hear in the Now Frontier was positively awful, but I really liked Q2K a lot. I recall enjoying listening to Tribe, though I can't say I've spun it more than twice.

But "I'm American" from this new one positively rocks. I think it has the potential to become the most ironic song for flag wavers since Springsteen's "Born in the USA."
I am fluent in over six million forms of procrastination.
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I'm not quite sure what to think of this. As others have said, O:M was great as was Empire after it. But, for the most part, all their stuff since has sucked (with some exceptions). I'll give 'er a listen on iTunes I'm sure.
"You fell victim to one of the classic blunders, the most famous of which is 'Never get involved in a land war in Asia'."
--Vizzini (Wallace Shawn), The Princess Bride
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Kevin A
Webmaster/Primary Cynic
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kapgar.com
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You didn't like Promised Land? I personally think that one and Q2K run rings around Empire, but that's my opinion and it certainly isn't backed by sales.
I am fluent in over six million forms of procrastination.
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I got burnt out on "Empire." They seemed to have released almost every song on there and played the heck out of it on the radio. Never really listened to them since. The coolest thing about that album was the tour that followed. Livecrime was just unbelievable!!! I have my doubts about this one, though. "I'm American" does not impress me... "Hostage" seems a little closer to the Queensryche that I know and love.... knew and loved... They inspired me enough to spend more than a thousand bucks on an ESP... well, them and Lynch!

Galatians 2: 20: I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

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Originally posted by: ADigitalMan
You didn't like Promised Land? I personally think that one and Q2K run rings around Empire, but that's my opinion and it certainly isn't backed by sales.


Not really. I listened to it once or twice, but was too firmly entrenched in other music scenes by that time. In all honesty, even O:M and Empire aren't that much fun for me to listen to now. Funny how musical tastes evolve, isn't it?
"You fell victim to one of the classic blunders, the most famous of which is 'Never get involved in a land war in Asia'."
--Vizzini (Wallace Shawn), The Princess Bride
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Kevin A
Webmaster/Primary Cynic
kapgar.typepad.com
kapgar.com
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They remastered all their EMI releases recently and it got me back into their music. Promised Land was helped perhaps the least from the mastering because it was already engineered within an inch of its life. It's amazing how sonicly perfect that album is. Give it another spin if you have it laying around and listen to it on a really good system.

I bemoan the loss of well-engineered albums in this century. Several albums were gorgeously mixed in the 90s. Roger Waters' "Amused to Death," Sting's "Ten Summoner's Tales," Tori Amos' "Little Earthquakes," Soundgarden's "SuperUnknown," Clapton's "From The Cradle" and Rush's "Counterparts" are all starkly different albums that share one important quality: Perfect engineering. I put Promised Land in that upper echelon as well.

I'm VERY hopeful about this album in this very respect, because Queensryche were always sticklers for quality sound with good instrument separation.
I am fluent in over six million forms of procrastination.
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For anybody interested, the first single, "I'm American," is now available on iTunes. Sounds rather promising.
"You fell victim to one of the classic blunders, the most famous of which is 'Never get involved in a land war in Asia'."
--Vizzini (Wallace Shawn), The Princess Bride
-------------------------
Kevin A
Webmaster/Primary Cynic
kapgar.typepad.com
kapgar.com
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I've got the album on pre-order, along with Satch's new "Super Colossal." I'm American is the best QR track at least since "Damaged" from Promised Land. I wonder if Jimbo Barton is producing this album. He's made great stuff with Rush and Queensryche in the past.
I am fluent in over six million forms of procrastination.
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ADM, have you been subscribed to Satch's "Super Colossal" vodcast? He gives his insights into the making of the album one song at a time. Kinda interesting. Nothing spectacular, but you may enjoy it.
"You fell victim to one of the classic blunders, the most famous of which is 'Never get involved in a land war in Asia'."
--Vizzini (Wallace Shawn), The Princess Bride
-------------------------
Kevin A
Webmaster/Primary Cynic
kapgar.typepad.com
kapgar.com
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Haven't done that. I'll try to check it out.
I am fluent in over six million forms of procrastination.
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Slave to the System was one Rockline last nite and played a cut off of OM2. SotS has a couple members of Queensryche in it.
"KILLING IS MY BUSINESS, AND BUSINESS IS GOOD."
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I DL'd "I'm American" last night. Not bad. The 30 second sample on the site is the best part of the song; not that the rest is "bad," per se. But it holds promise for the rest of the album.
"You fell victim to one of the classic blunders, the most famous of which is 'Never get involved in a land war in Asia'."
--Vizzini (Wallace Shawn), The Princess Bride
-------------------------
Kevin A
Webmaster/Primary Cynic
kapgar.typepad.com
kapgar.com
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I think I read that Ronnie James Dio of Rainbow and Black Sabbath fame is going to play Dr. X. I've never heard the original, but I've really wanted to. I might just check out this new album because of Dio - he is one of my favourite vocalists.
"The things that stick in my mind and make me laugh were, like, memos worried about whether or not the Wookie should have pants. They're looking at this thing and saying, "Couldn't he have some lederhosen?" This is great. Of all the things to worry about, the Wookie has no pants." -Mark Hamill