Review by Shadowdoom9 (Andi) for Queensrÿche - Operation: Mindcrime (1988)
So this is my second attempt at writing a review for this Queensryche masterpiece. I've gotten rid of my first review for Operation: Mindcrime when I was distancing from heavy/power metal a few years ago. But now that I'm getting back into the Guardians zone, it's time for me to revisit this album that pretty much kickstarted the idea of concept albums in progressive metal. It's a one-hour journey not to be missed out on!
In case you don't know the story, it is centered around a drug addict (voiced by Geoff Tate) named Nicky (yeah I know the original spelling is Nikki, I just thought that was a bit girlish, no offense). He has spiralled down into disillusion, caused by the corruption of society.
The one-minute intro track, "I Remember Now" shows Nicky having been put to a drug-induced sleep and then waking up to remember all that has happened to him before. Next up is another one-minute interlude, the overture "Anarchy-X". It transports you to the beginning of the story. The nefarious Dr. X (Anthony Valentine) tells his henchmen his plan as solid guitar and drums fills the music void. On top of that, there's actual orchestration arranged by late film score composer Michael Kamen. And there would be more of that orchestration later on. "Revolution Calling" is the best way to introduce vocalist Geoff Tate, and learn more about Nicky and Dr. X. The title track does a great job letting you know what to expect in the whole f***ing story, as well as a full introduction to Dr. X. The strong "Speak" details Nicky submitting to the doctor's grand plan.
"Spreading the Disease" adds in another character to the story, Nicky's love interest Sister Mary (Pamela Moore), a prostitute-turned-nun. "The Mission" makes another definite highlight. Some of the best guitar, one of the best choruses! Nicky meets Mary, and it was love at first sight. "Suite Sister Mary" is the longest song in the album and possibly by the band, last over 10 and a half minute epics. It's a true f***ing progressive epic! Dr. X orders Nicky to kill Mary and the priest Father William. The best parts of that track are when Tate and Moore sing a duet, as well as the orchestra and choir. Man I feel tempted to call this album the first symphonic metal one ever! "The Needle Lies" is not the best song but I still love it. Nicky tells Dr. X, "I've had enough and I WANT OUT!" The doctor responds, "You can't walk away now." Apparently he can help Nicky out. "Electric Requiem" is another interlude. Nicky enters Mary's house and finds her dead. It was later revealed that she killed herself, but of course, Nicky didn't know that.
"Breaking the Silence" is another f***ing terrific track. The chorus and soloing are so awesome and emotional. Nicky wanders around town screaming out her name. Then in "I Don't Believe in Love", he gets caught and knocked out by the cops who suspect that he murdered Mary and all his other victims. The song itself is so catchy and has some wonderful soloing. "Waiting for 22" is another instrumental. All it has is clean guitar and some background soloing by guitarist Chris DeGarmo. It really gets you on the edge of the seat for how the story ends. "My Empty Room" follows as another interlude. Nicky wakes up in an empty room all alone and with no memory of all that happened up to that point. And now we get to the closing track, "Eyes of a Stranger". It still remains as my favorite song of the album and possibly by the band! Everything's amazing, from the buildup to the climax. Yes, the climax, in which the melody keeps repeating until it is cut off, and nothing happens until Nicky says one last time, "I remember now." One of the best ending tracks, and certainly the best one in 80s heavy/progressive metal!
It's hard to imagine that one of the greatest stories ever told is written by a metal band vocalist, but it's great that happened. This is Geoff Tate at his best in both writing and singing. You sometimes wonder whether you're listening to an album or a soundtrack-backed audiobook. And almost everything is connected together like a full-on suite! The story would continue 18 years later in Operation: Mindcrime II, which is quite underwhelming compared to the first album, but I'm satisfied with the story having a sequel. Operation: Mindcrime shall be heard by any music listener. A real gamechanger in both metal and music in general!
Favorites: "Revolution Calling", "Speak", "The Mission", "Suite Sister Mary", "Breaking the Silence", "I Don't Believe in Love", "Eyes of a Stranger"