Operation: Mindcrime - The New Reality (2017)

So after only two short years, we have finally reached the end of Operation: Mindcrime's album trilogy, and the end of a story that centers around stock trading and virtual currencies. Man, when I first got into the story, I thought it was fairly decent and that it had an opportunity to evolve into something spectacular, but then I remembered, it is stock trading we are talking about. Kind of hard to make an exciting story out of that, don't you think? Anyway, good old Geoff has done his fair share to make it as good as possible, wish I could say the same about the music.

To my surprise though, "The New Reality" is a big step forward in the music department. Okay, it is not a revolution or anything close to that, but you can say good bye to the boring and uninspired bland rock that "highlighted" "Resurrection". The entirety of "The New Reality" just have a completely different aura to it, an amount of energy that I have not seen since the provoking "Frequency Unknown", but this energy is not directed to Queensrÿche, it is instead used for more sensible reasons. Huh, maybe Geoff has moved on after all.

The other members get more room to shine too, showing off some of their skills. The drums flows really nicely, while also having some nice technicality to them (although they are a tad bit loud in the mix). The guitars are actually memorable this time around, not being demoted to background noise to the vocals. And yes, the vocals are of course as well versed as you would expect from a Tate release, but they do not take too much space, they take just enough to run the show, but not overtake it. The balance between the band members is surprisingly even, something I certainly did not expect from this release.

But while "The New Reality" feels more balanced and more passionate, it still does not feel like the epic finish of a conceptual trilogy that one would expect. It is still a fairly slow effort that takes its time, never rushing anything, and it is both an advantage and disadvantage. Especially the ending of the record is very slow and dull, it never feels like the band is reaching the climax of the story, so you would think that they would gear up for a fourth release. That ain't happening though, in fact, this is the last release we will see from Operation: Mindcrime, period. Apparently, this was just a short lived project, and Geoff wants to move on to other things. Not a big loss, but a curious decision nonetheless.

The first half of the record is strong though, and it is certainly some of the best material we have seen from the band. I really love the energy in "Wake Me Up", and the instrumentation in "It Was Always You!" and "Under Control" are simply fantastic. And while the "wut wut wut wut wut wut wut wut" part in "The Fear" makes me laugh hysterically, it is quite a serious song, and a staple in the story, another good piece in the first half. Once again, not anything spectacular or anything, but still, pretty enjoyable.

So yeah, Operation: Mindcrime ends on a high note, even if that note is not too high. "The New Reality" is without a shadow of a doubt the best album of the trilogy, but it is not saying that much, because while this album is fairly good, it still has some blind spots that drags out for too long, and the music is not all too inventive. It is a fine record that does not stir up any rash emotions, but lots of kudos to the guys for finishing this massive project. Now we will wait and see where Geoff Tate will take his voice next.

Songs worthy of recognition: Wake Me Up, It Was Always You!, Under Control

Rating: 7/10 Tidal Changes

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More reviews of Operation: Mindcrime
The Key
Resurrection

Operation: Mindcrime - Resurrection (2016)

I feel like I am one of few people that have actually been (some what) positive over Geoff Tate and his Queensrÿche 2.0, praising them for creating interesting progressive rock that fits like a glove. And yes, he is not the most likeable person out there, but the music speaks for itself, and it does not suck. But what I (and possibly a lot of people) did not know, is that it was all a part of something much, much bigger.

The predecessor, known as "The Key", was the first part of a three part concept trilogy that Geoff and co. have cooked up for us. The first album was about four characters, who teamed up to develop new technology, who would allow humans to see alternate universes, but conflict arises, ending the collaboration and leading to one of the guys (only known as H), to almost loose his life. Enter the new album "Resurrection", where H has recovered the key to launch the massive project, and we will follow his way to make it all happen. I must give the band credit, it is an intriguing concept, just such a shame that it is told so subtly, simply going over the head of the listener.

As for the music... well... what can I say? Did you expect anything new from Geoff and co? Did not think so, but for those who do not know, this is basically just another Queensrÿche album, fairly slow progressive rock that is easy to enjoy, but hard to truly love. You sit there, nodding your head from time to time, liking what you hear, but as soon as the album is over, you are like "meh, it was okay". It just is not that interesting of an album, and it does not help that it has a length of just over an hour, making it really hard to get through it all in one sitting.

What also kills the album is the variety, because there is none. It is the same exact tempo throughout the entire album, and it is slow as hell, almost killing me with boredom. I get that the band wants to create a epic scenery, bring out what the main character feels when going through these adversities, but it just does not work out, it all ends in a muddy mess that just makes me mad. Just the fact that they opened up the album with 4(!) intro songs to get the listener into the concept just makes me wanna punch something. Sure, they are not long, but it is still hugely unnecessary.

Fortunately, the overall song quality is actually decent, and would have been even better with some variety thrown into it. Naturally, it is the little things that makes some songs stand out, like the heavy attitude in "Taking On The World", the saxophone on "A Smear Campaign" and "Healing My Wounds", or the beautiful instrumental bits in "The Fight". That is really the only thing that keeps my interest on life support, finding all these itty, bitty, tiny details that makes the album (and the concept) what it is. It takes some concentration, for sure, but the challenge was kind of fun some times.

Still, "Resurrection" is a very dull album. It is consistent, but about as exciting as watching paint dry. I really hoped that Operation: Mindcrime could pull off a Halford here, simply releasing a kick ass album that is named "Resurrection". But nope, even with some interesting details and a fairly cool (but muddy) concept, it just falls flat. Is it a bad album? not really, it is just a big, slow shoulder shrug that will not leave any impression on you what so ever. There is still hope though, because trilogies have a tendency to release its worst outing in the second part (Lord of The Rings, The Matrix, etc.), so let us all hope that Operation: Mindcrime delivers a real knockout punch for its final part. The main character seems ready to deliver the blow, but can the band do the same?

Songs worthy of recognition: Taking On The World, Left For Dead, The Fight

Rating: 5/10 Smear Campaigns

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More reviews of Operation: Mindcrime
The Key
Frequency Unknown

Operation: Mindcrime - The Key (2015)

Geoff Tate, what a fucking hypocrite. After a juridical dispute with his former band Queensrÿche that seemed to never end, Geoff said that he was completely done with the band and was going to make music that had nothing to do with them. I call bullshit on that statement. First off, he re-names his new project Operation: Mindcrime, literally taking the name of the most famous Queensrÿche album ever made. Then, he releases a album just before his former band does, which is more or less a statement in itself. Oh, and let us not forget the fact that several members of this band is also former Queensrÿche members as well.

But the biggest reason to why Geoff has not let go of his past is in the music. It is exactly the kind of music he has been doing for his entire musical career! Nothing different from anything else he has done. Okay, it may have some more fire and passion behind it than what his last couple of Queensrÿche albums had, but it is still the same. I am absolutely not surprised over this, just disappointed that he did not come up with something more creative.

The only way he could really put his former band in place is if he wrote a killer album, a album that puts the foot down and screams "You will be sorry for kicking me out". Is "The Key" that album? Absolutely not. It does have some interesting intentions, but it is not a album that kills its opponents, mostly because it is so uneven. "Burn" is the definition of the word bland, while "Discussions In A Smoke Filled Room" is the most useless interlude ever (god damn I hate useless interludes). Also, "On Queue" is a fine song if you like slow jazz, something I do not. It just makes me sleepy, that's all.

The good stuff is there though, starting with the confusing title "Re-Inventing the Future". While Geoff has said that he would do no such thing, the song does live up to its name, being a good, modern Queensrÿche tune with solid riffing and smooth melodies. "Life or Death?" continues in the same direction, while the following song "The Stranger" takes a heavy turn, and it almost feels like Geoff is trying to get out his inner thug while still staying true to his sound. A surprisingly cool combination that may sound weird, but works out well.

The thing I enjoy the best in "The Key" is the excellent instrumentation in all of the songs. It is mostly subtle, but still well organized, creating the right mood for each of the songs. I especially like the riffing from Kelly Gray and Robert Sarzo, and also the nice saxophone in both "On Queue" and the epic finisher "The Fall". A nice little touch that gives the album a nice closure. And Geoff? How did he perform? I say ay okay.

In the end, Geoff Tate will always have that A-hole stamp on his giant, shiny head, but put it aside, and you will find a decently talented musician that can make a fairly decent album when he actually wants to. "The Key" may not make anybody fall backwards with excitement, but it does have that typical Queensrÿche groove to it, so some old fans should be satisfied in the long run. I was one of few that actually felt that the debut "Frequency Unknown" was a decent album (even if it was highly disrespectful to the original band), and I think "The Key" is another small step forward. Leaving Queensrÿche behind him? HA, good luck with that!

Songs worthy of recognition: Re-Inventing The Future, Life Or Death?, The Fall

Rating: 6,5/10 Strangers