OPERATION : MINDCRIME II

First impressions about this long awaited release: Very nice balance between hard, uptempo numbers and slower, more atmospheric parts; Nice flow between songs as in the first part(1988); Geoff Tate in top notch form; More space for Pamela Moore than in part I; Outstanding interplay between Tate and Dio (Yes, quite a nice surprise) in The Chase; Tight playing as usual from the rhythm section and a new found partnership from Wilton and newcomer Mike Stone. In General, at first listen it is a worthy succesor to 1988's magnum opus. Only in a few songs De Garmo is missed from a compositional viewpoint, but others succeed without his participation. Definitely 4 stars, although i think it does not reach the five stars because it lacks in any aspect, but for the high standard that was set by the Initial Operation Mindcrime. Now, it is my first listen, but obviously this album is of those that grows on repeated listenings, and surely will be on every prog-metaler top five list for album of the year.