Operation:Mindcrime, the concept album created by Queensrÿche near the end of the eighties, settled the band as the undisputed leader of the progressive metal scene. The albums lyrics strongly criticized modern society's decadence by setting the storyline in a realistic world highly influenced by political and religious matters, making lies a corruption an aspect of everyday life. Not altogether a concept far away from the real world, and it made for a very deep story with a great plot, so that the album demands to be heard in a carefully attentive manner. Right after the album is put into the CD player, one is caught by the first track, immediately curious of what's coming next.

"I Remember Now" serves as an intro to the album's entire concept, with the track taking the listener to the storyline's ending and placing one inside the main character's head while he experiences a long flashback after receiving a shot from a British nurse. The story then takes off with the instrumental "Anarchy-X," in which an amazing drum beat and guitar intro reach out and captivate the listener's attention in order to set one in the scene of the social and political situation of Operation:Mindcrime with "Revolution Calling." The aforementioned track begins with an amazing guitar melody and, soon afterwards, Geoff Tate's vocals burst out with very well developed and utterly ironic lyrics that inflect a sense of reality into the storyline. The plot then continues with the title track, at which point the main character, Nikki, is invited to be part of the "team" and offer his skills to Dr.X. The music allows the track's vocal melody to really stand out, which centers the listener's attention on the lyrics as Nikki is tempted to become a part of the emerging revolution. Then it's time for "Speak," the final piece on the album's introduction to society's current status, the war against the system, and the new beginning, something effected through great guitarwork and paving the way for the rest of the album's story.

That's when one is introduced to Sister Mary through "Spreading the Disease," a song that portrays religious and political entities as decaying institutions and features a chorus in which Tate's vocal melodies really fill the song and lift it up to new heights. The middle section, meanwhile, slows down soon after and complements the lyrics' purpose of picturing society's wayward ways and unfair practices, while "The Mission" transmits Nikki's frustration with his attempts at forgetting the past and his involvement with Operation:Mindcrime. The song has a somber atmosphere that is beset by a tranquil progression while Nikki tries to find the way back through Mary's help; the way back to recover his life, that is. The manner in which the melody suits the song is just perfect, making it one of my favorite tracks on the entire album.

The following song, "Suite Sister Mary," begins with a great guitar arpeggio, which provides a soothing feeling to the intro until a guitar riff explodes and gives way to the vocals. During the song, Tate and Pamela Moore (impersonating Sister Mary) exchange vocal lines and join in a searing duet before being closed in upon by some atmospherically dark vocal choruses and before the band explodes into "The Needle Lies," a song with an amazing guitar riff that truly captivates the listener. The track is mostly ruled by the drums' beat, which maintains a very fast pace throughout the whole affair before slowing down on the pounding-drums and strange-but-great-guitar-solo ambience of "Electric Requiem." Then it's time for Nikki to try to put an end to the lies and deception that he's been a victim of during his mission, which is portrayed through "Breaking the Silence," a song characterized by excellent arrangements and a deeply emotional edge.

"I Don't Believe In Love," the next song, features the outstanding guitarwork that characterizes Queensrÿche hovering above a constant bass line that is later complemented by guitar chords and an impressive vocal line. After the song reaches its end, however, the atmosphere mellows down until it merges with "Waiting For 22," a track consisting mainly of some guitar solos. Then it's "My Empty Room," which sets the mood for the album's ending, in which Nikki is taken to a sanitarium. Meanwhile, the ending song, "Eyes Of a Stranger," shows a Nikki that's haunted by his memories and can never pay for what he did, a point driven home by way of admirable guitar solos and a captivating structure of utmost excellence.

It's obvious that Operation:Mindcrime is Queensrÿche's most amazing piece of work to date. The album is a very realistic and emotional epic that can make its listener feel as though one is part of the storyline, with lyrics, melodies, and solos that shine in such a way that they make the album a veritable masterpiece. It's a landmark in the entire progressive rock scene, and would be a shame to have missing in your collection.

by Javier Elizondo