OPERATION: LIVECRIME

I never had the luck to see Queensryche live, so I bought the DVD and the reissued CD version of "Operation: Livecrime" to make this arguably fact be broken. All what I can say about this live record is, that I put it on one stage with the greatest live records ever, like Lizzy's "Live and Dangerous" or Purple's "Made In Japan". The drum playing of Scott Rockenfield bring me down to the ground, it's unbelievable what he does behind the drum kit! It just kicks ass! The pounding bass of Eddie Jackson in the title track remind on the Yes-bass-god Chris Squire in his best days! The twin guitar melodies and riffs of Chris DeGarmo and Michael Wilton are not of this world on this live performance and Geoff Tate? This man is unbelievable! The scream in the end of "My Empty Room" drives crazy and his emotional interpretations of "Eyes Of A Stranger", "Breaking The Silence" or the great reissued bonus tracks "The Lady Whore Black" and the best metal epic of all time "Roads To Madness" make all worries seem like jokes: In my oppinion, he is the best live shouter of all time! I also think that the reissue of "Operation: Livecrime" is better than the studio record "Operation: Livecrime"! It sounds monster! The sound is far more powerful and the live versions are more dramatic and authentic! No wonder: "Operation: Livecrime" shows Queensryche on their highest creative and technical level. Intelligent, progressive/powermetal was and will be never better! Don't belive? Buy it, but make sure that it is the reissued version with the two strong bonus tracks and make your own decision. You won't be disappointed!

This is the full concert experience where Queensryche play every track from the masterpiece 'Operation Mindcrime'. The great thing about this is you can play it while watching the live DVD and it pretty much is in synch. The sound quality is excellent on every track. The crowd never drown out the band but its great to hear their exceitement which adds to the live experience.

As I stated in other reviews 'Operation Mindcrime' is a definite masterpiece so it would be difficult to go wrong with the live concert. I expected great things having grown to adore the studio album and I was not disappointed. Tate's vocals are as excellent, sometimes better, than the studio versions.

After the initial introduction, the crowd cheer because they immediately recognise they are about to hear 'Revolution Calling'. It gives you chills to hear how the tracks you have grown to love in a live concert. Tate just launches into one track after another with perfect timing. De Garmo's guitars are clean and sound excellent- the lead breaks are even better live.

I had chills when Pamela Moore sang with Geoff Tate the epic 'Suite Sister Mary'. She sounded as haunting as ever and her raspy vocals are as heartfelt as the album version.

The concert breaks for a half time and Tate actually tells the audience that some of them probably don't know what the heck is going on, but he states this is Operation Mindcrime, and of course the crowd go wild in appreciation. In the second part of the show they blast gems such as 'The Needle Lies', 'Breaking The Silence', 'I Don't Believe In Love' and 'Eyes Of A Stranger'.

It was pleasing to hear two other tracks not available on DVD including the wonderful 'Lady Wears Black' and a terrific version of 'Roads to Madness'.

Overall, it is definitley worth getting hold of this live version of the infamous 'Operation Mindcrime' - another 5 star QR gem.

As this is a seminal and best album by Queensryche, the band have proved themselves that they could do the legendary album "live" with close to perfection performance. The show kicks off with a situation where (like in the DVD version) 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. So powerful! I think Rockenfield is one of the best rock drummers I have ever known thus far.

The musical break brings the show to the first lyrical part where Geoff Tate (vocal) 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. It also happens with the following tracks "Operation: Mindcrime" (4:40), "Speak" (3:47) and "Spreading The Disease" (4:07). When the CD 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. 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!

Overall, this 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. Highly recommended! Keep on rockin', keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW