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!

One of the few prog metal released that deserve a five stars rating in my opinion. But this album is probably the best live album I have heard(and seen on DvD). It was after the release of the Empire album, that Queensryche decided to promote the band's previous album and well appreciated masterpiece, Operation : Mindcrime with a sequence of live performances of the whole album on stage. In this album, Queensryche prove that actors or special setting are not required to set up a theatrical, dramatical background for the album's scenario. Just a not so used video-wall, and an amazing performance by the band's lead singer Geoff Tate. The songs are reproducted amazingly, as in most Queensryche concerts up to that date, and Tate's vocals are not only reaching up to the album levels, but also moving further, as his voice combined with his movement on stage and the general aspect of acting, promotes the results to the greatest. Starting of with a sample of I Remember Now, the band enter to the second track Anarchy X, and then Tate comes on stage for Revolution Calling. Notice the change of lyrics to be fitting to present circumstances, as critisism goes on. Operation Mindcrime, Speak and Spreading the Disease in a frenzy atmosphere with no mistakes at all, and then a rather theatrical version of the Mission with Tate singing on his knees. The highlight of the concert is definitely Suite Sister Mary, with Pamela Moore on stage. This one gave me the thrills, really, I almost cried with seeing this one. Then, the needle lies and the frenzy goes on. The album live reproduction proceeds until the end with breathtaking carry outs of I don't believe in love and Eyes of a Stranger. Then the album ends, leaves you there, wanting for more, and really not aware of what has happened. In the DvD version of the album, there are some information that explain part of Operation: Mindcrime's story, for those willing to find out more about the album.

First Queensryche album I bought, and this sure gave me the right impression of the band! This live is an excellent "remake" of the studio album, well interpreted. I was mostly impressed by the vocals, brilliant... Sound is fair, drums are well balanced and powerful, the exact live mesure needed here. But a four stars would be rather too much, knowing that not much has been added to the original tracks... I know that it's something that's hard to do with a prog piece (although QR are NOT prog in my opinion) , but it's been done before, and sometimes brilliantly. Plus, it's a live album, and it doesn't really "master the art of live". Well, 3 stars is still great!

What happens when you take one of the best concept albums ever recorded and put it on stage from start to finish? Well, you get one hell of a show, and Queenrÿche's stab at capturing the moment is as good as any other. Operation: LiveCrime captures the live rendition of Operation: MindCrime from three dates on the Building Empires tour.

The album was played in its entirety, supported by video behind the band and the excellent pipes of Pamela Moore, reprising her role as Sister Mary. What makes this live abum stand out more than most others is its near flawless execution. Each song is played almost exactly as it is on the original album. Really, that's what makes this live album a masterpiece in its own right. It is true that live albums can't really capture the atmosphere of being there in person, but this one comes closer than just about any other.

Add to that the video, capturing the same three nights, and you've got something that shows you a good portion of what MindCrime live was about. Either the CD/tape or the video/DVD alone would make an excellent additon to most anyone's music collection; together... definately reason to make room in your collection.

Even if you're not a fan of Queensrÿche, this album deserves at least a listen or two. This is what a live album really should be.

Deep Purple - Made In Japan, Pink Floyd - Live At Pompeii, Yes - Symphonic Live... Could Operation : Livecrime stand among these monumental live performances? The answer comes easily: YES...

Geoff Tate takes the lead from all other performers for one and only reason: when he's on stage, he literaly acts.. he is his characters... not to mention the brilliance of his voice...

totally professional stage show, great light show, passionate performance by all band and a 'Suite Sister Mary' that always sends shivers down my spine, watching Geoff and Pamela Moore spitting lines to one another...

IMHO, the best metal live DVD so far...

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

A hidden chronicle of a major album revisited for the pleasure of praising or destroying this cult band. chronicle of "operation mindcrime".

1 I Remember Now intro cinematic to PLASMATICS with the attack of the worms, I remember now 2 Anarchy-X and the 2nd entry with the characteristic sound of QUEENSRYCHE, voice in portaphone, parlophone, short in megaphone, syncopated drums lit, a guitar solo in instrumental, everything is there for the show! The battery rings the bell, the death knell, it announces 3 Revolution Calling and its warming intro, which repeats the same tune, yes but here we are in the revolution Geoff with his typical voice, his inimitable phrasing begins to set fire; it hits the drums, it screams, ah the break ... metal-prog yes you got it, the one that makes you prick up your ears, that makes you fantasize in front of this sound from elsewhere, like what you shouldn't big thing 4 Operation: Mindcrime tumbles, what an intro that lasts, a riff that takes you to the guts, but what is this group, not normal especially Chris who uses his guitar to progress in a future fusion that will do good to prog dying, ah Dying that makes you thirsty too!! 5 Speak continues, the sound, the story of this drug addict who will serve for unacknowledged political ends, in short 6 Spreading The Disease now with an observation... it's almost the same... the titles at the rhythmic level but there is a little thing that changes; there is a, dare I... progressive evolution in the continuation of these titles; the guitar solo that unrolls, the tribal percussions that follow, the high notes in stereo and it starts again with a cry from geoff, what a beautiful voice he had, the guy... I translate for the girls: what was he well done in his pants moldburnes!!!! 7 The Mission cinematic intro back when we didn't know what it meant; a languorous voice that overwhelms, it goes up like a 'Kashmir', bam little explosion, a riff, synths that brighten up the ear, a similar title that changes, that makes the album evolve, almost an hour all the same it's ain't nothing! 8 Suite Sister Mary ... I remember... with Pamela Moore for the voice of the prostitute, yes a not funny diatribe on a title, the title which allowed metal to make a place for itself in the progressive world; the intro on an opera aria, the climb, it's all there... yes I'm going to make myself agonize again oh but he sees prog everywhere... but prog is the atmosphere not just the dinos otherwise where would we be now? Well I don't talk much about THIS title, 5mn and the scrolling solo, ah a break, a musical redemption to launch a missile at us, an OMNI excuse me also well calibrated; ah the opera choirs on a possible end of the world, in short, you're listening to it again, it's okay I did my job. 8 minutes and it's liberation, the air has bewitched you, you stamp your feet, the storm is coming, come back. 9 The Needle Lies always a quick voice-over intro, always a memory of 'The Maggots' by PLASMATICS that's how it is; faster, the riff more nervous too, hard 10 Electric Requiem by the way there is someone, yes we think of 'The Wall', super nice, the orchestral interlude that makes you swoon, yes I dreamed of it they did it, the slap, the atmosphere , you put it back in loop 4, 5 times before the following title so it's beautiful, the organ, the guitar, the drums, short but good, enjoyable! 11 Breaking The Silence for the consensual title, let me explain it's good but we're getting into the hard and the progs will say ah you see it's not prog, end of explanation; a catchy rhythm which squirts everywhere but that's already it. 12 I Don't Believe In Love continues... same dynamic, yes an OMNI also needs fuel and only has a nuclear battery that needs to be recharged from time to time, and considering the price it's not obvious, you're waiting for the right price and you don't go any further, in short the solo still has that little bit more heavy that makes you stagnate if you don't take off... it goes down slowly, introducing 13 Waiting For 22 for a dance step, uh an aerial solo, just like that so that 14 My Empty Room with its alarm clock puts you on the lookout again; fast, latent, wait-and-see, with a nirvanesque explosion oh damn they weren't there on the ground, in short too bad we throw ourselves on 15 Eyes Of A Stranger final wallien, yes the PINK FLOYD had to pass in their register; sinister, aerial, spatial, the final title which reconciles the hard with the prog spirit.... and don't tell me yet that the abandonment of the verse, chorus, verse is missing... I don't know but there there is still a break that I also feel with MANFRED MANN, in short, we are on melodic hard from progressive, from haunting, from hypnotizing, a proto metal prog that I am writing to you.... and this finale right after the end... I remember now, sang prog! (5 of course)