OPERATION: MINDCRIME

I wasn't too sure about getting Queensryche Cds after hearing some songs that were well a little too hair metal for me. However though no matter how 80s sounding it was i decided to listen to some samples from Operation: Mindcrime and well i wasted no time i got this album as soon as possible as this album made me understand why Queensryche is another great band that started the revolution of prog metal. A definite masterpiece by these guys with an awesome story of the concept album it really surprised me how dark the lyrics were which made me think that Geoff Tate knew what he was doing when he made this album. Each song really has its own personality to it from adreline inspired riffs with REVOLUTION CALLING, OPERATION: MINDCRIME, SPEAK, SPREADING THE DISEASE to the more experimental background souds of THE MISSION, EYES OF A STRANGER, and SUITE SISTER MARY. I love how the choir is used on SSM it really gives off the mood of the song plus its 10 minutes long which makes it better. To the more melodic but heavy songs like BREAK THE SILENCE, THE NEEDLE LIES, and I DON'T BELIEVE IN LOVE. Plus the bandmates really do a fine job in making this record shine like Geoff Tate for example. With his brillant mind of create awesome lyrics, a phenominal storyline, and AWESOME metal like vocals in the vein of Geddy Lee, Dio, and a bit of Rob Halford (maybe), then the grand guitar duo of Chris DeGarmo and Micheal Wilton these guys are a grand combine that have amazing riffs and so many great solos that i can't even of any off the top of my head there are just so many. Kinda makes me sad that DeGarmo wouldn't be in the 2 mindcrime but i can live with that. Plus what really surprised me about this disc is the rhythm section i mean its not the best i've heard but both Eddie Jackson and Scott Rockenfield aren't that bad. Jackson really surprised me with that fat juicy bass line sound well he just strums that rhythm which is something i love about Bass players. Rockenfield isn't a bad drummer but he isn't one of my favorites but not a bad performance on this album. I will say thought he has some sicks stuff on I DON'T BELIEVE IN LOVE. So if you wanna get into Queensryche than get this album it is definitely one of their finest albums. A great disc for fans of all grand genres of metal such as heavy, progressive and some hair metal. 5 stars