OPERATION: MINDCRIME

I was lucky enough to see Queensryche play Operation Mindcrime in it's entirety during the Empire tour. 1990 I believe, Really one of the best live shows i have seen, so good and precise , that we used to joke that they were lip sinking. i cant remember for sure , but the female singer in suite sister mary was their live , and not on a video screen. either way it was killer, I remember the the title track from empire being particularly spine tingling as well. This album is a masterpiece, the haunting mood that the keyboards and other effect provide is remarkable for such a metallic album, part 2 isn't bad either , if not quite to this level. the spirit is there. and that was what i was most concerned about. it amazes me how well this stands the test of time, Dream Theater wishes they could conjure something up this good. 23 years later it still sounds fresh and vital. Tate's voice is unsurpassed in my opinion. really i dont think a better prog metal album has ever been devised.