OPERATION : MINDCRIME II

It's OK...really nothing special, I can't see it getting any regular play in my CD player or MP3 unit, unlike the original O:M, which still gets listened to at least once a week (and that's been happening since I first got it on tape in 1991!)

They tried to emulate the guitar sound of the original, with mixed results.

There are a couple of decent dual-lead passages, but overall I think the album is a disappointment (and NO, I did not expect them to recreate O:M!)

My problem is mainly with the songs and the sound of the album. Geoff Tate is a good singer, but he can't hit the high notes like he used to. There are almost no memorable riffs on this CD either, except for one track which rips the opening chords from Eyes of A Stranger.

OM2 is by far their best album since Promised Land, but it pales in comparison to OM or anything before it. The production is kind of dry, there's little excitement to it.

The Dio track is enjoyable, but only for novelty's sake. I don't think it's that great.

Just my thoughts, as a long-time QR fan (I'm 31 years old, I know my metal!)