OPERATION: LIVECRIME

Having spun the CD for three days in a row with a lot of excitement and energy, last night I took the DVD version of the seminal concept album by Queensryche "Operation: mindcrime" performed live and renamed as "Operation: LIVEcrime" - what a creative title! Yes, this DVD which I purchased sometime in 2003 blew my mind at first time when I watched it. And, last night was my 6th watching it in its entirety. As the studio album is truly a groundbreaking record and provides me with a joy when I listening to it, this DVD has created another excitement as I can see the live atmosphere which is very dynamic and lively. All members of the band perform their roles flawlessly.

The Performance

The show kicks off with large screen depicting a cartoon movie with a nurse having a one-way conversation with her patient - which I believe it's a young man named Nikki - who stayed hopelessly in bed. After the nurse left him he said "I remember now .." .. well, you know it, it's the first ambient start of opening track "I Remember Now" (1:17). And .. man .. when the music gets into its way through instrumental track "Anarchy-X" (1:27) I can see how rocking the performance is, especially when I see how Mr. Rockenfield plays his drum with his energetic body movement. So powerful! I think Rockenfield is one of the best rock drummers I have ever known thus far. The other three members of the band dress-up wonderfully as true rockers with all of them using microphone as they do backing vocal work. On guitars, Chris DeGarmo and Michael Wilton move around the stage (quite a big stage). Eddie Jackson on bass guitar even though less energetic compared to the other guitar mates but he casts himself as true rocker as well. I would say they dress like eighties rockers. Geoff Tate was not on stage yet when this track was performed.

The musical break brings the show to the first lyrical part where Geoff Tate (vocal) jumps into the stage and sings wonderfully in "Revolution Calling" (4:39). WOW man!!! This is what I call the greatest rock concert with great live vibes that I have ever seen. I cannot imagine how if I were there with the crowd. Definitely, I would go crazy: doing my headbanging and emulating how Geoff Tate is singing. Or, I would emulate how DeGarmo plays his guitar. Yeah, it's a true adrenalin exploder, really! "Revolution calling / Revolution calling / Revolution calling NOW!" uuughhh . I cannot bear it anymore - when I watched this DVD last night I shout the lyrics (lucky me, the DVD has an option to turn the lyrics on) outloud and I didn't really care how my neighbors would say about me. Philosophically, it's not my fault. It's their faults having a rocker neighbor like me! Phew! What a great enjoyment last night. It also happens with the following tracks "Operation: Mindcrime" (4:40), "Speak" (3:47) and "Spreading The Disease" (4:07). Guess what? When the DVD reaches "The Mission" (5:27) my best favorite track of this live set, my emotion was really at the peak man! The band delivers this wonderful track perfectly and lively. Geoff Tate sings powerfully. As usual, when it reaches the minute 2:48 (approx) I really enjoy the soft guitar riffs and orchestral arrangement. And, I keep repeating this track over and over because of this catchy segment. WONDERFUL! Another peak occurs when Pula Moore sings together with Geoff Tate through "Suite Sister Mary" (10:41). Speechless. It's a terrific show! After the completion of "Suite Sister Mary" the band provides a break where Tate having a conversation with the crowd. "More?" . "It's . The Needle Lies" - JRENG! And the music flows in uplifting mood with a what so called progressive metal style. Yeah, it's arguably that this album was the pioneer of progressive metal genre. I think so. And from this track onward, the music is much more lively and dynamic where the crowd are getting crazy with the show. FANTASTIC!

Summary

Overall, this DVD is a must for anyone who loves rock concert. Especially, this album is to me like a rock opera because there is a storyline of the whole concert. Each musician is a great contributor to the show. Geoff Tate is one of the best rock singers. Rockenfield is a great drummer. DeGarmo and Wilton guitar playing is stunning and rocking. Also, the DVD set has an extra the story behind mindcrime through interview with Geoff Tate. I like the way Tate mentioned about searching a character that suits Sister Mary. Great interview. Highly recommended! Keep on rocckin', keep on proggin' ..!

Progressively yours, GW

Just a thought ... I think, if you are amazed with a rock concert DVD and you still keep emulating part(s) of the show while silently sing the lyrics or melodies inside your mind, that's when you must give that live DVD a FIVE STARS rating. That's what I do here. Even after listening and watching the DVD last night, this morning I still sing ".. my mission changed the world" while emulating Geoff Tate style and DeGarmo guitar playing with catchy melody. It cheers up my day ... Music IS emotion!

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