«Operation: Mindcrime» is Queensrÿche’s third album and it was released on 3 May 1988 by EMI Manhattan. It was recorded in 1987 and 1988 in Pennsylvania and Quebec, with Peter Collins producing. The line-up is Geoff Tate on vocals, Michael Wilton and Chris DeGarmo on guitars, Eddie Jackson on bass and Scott Rockenfield on drums.
“`Country: USA
Style: Progressive metal
For fans of: Fates Warning, Pink Floyd, Iron Maiden
It is a concept album and a rock opera: the story follows Nikki, an addict who gets caught up with an organisation and becomes a killer, guided by a mysterious leader called Dr. X. The sound combines heavy metal with narration, orchestral passages and dynamic shifts. The album was recorded digitally, something rare for the time.
«Revolution Calling», «I Don’t Believe in Love» and «Eyes of a Stranger» stand out. «Suite Sister Mary» runs almost eleven minutes and is one of the band’s most ambitious pieces, with Pamela Moore in the role of Sister Mary. «Speak» and «The Mission» add more strong points to the story.
The idea came from Geoff Tate, after his move to Montreal and his conversations with people from the Quebec separatist movement. The album took almost two years to complete. Peter Collins’ production gave the band a clean, powerful sound.
The album reached number 50 on the Billboard 200 and went platinum, and it is regarded as one of the most important concept albums in metal. A sequel, «Operation: Mindcrime II», followed in 2006. In 2016 Classic Rock ranked it among the ten essential progressive metal albums. «I Don’t Believe in Love» was nominated for a Grammy in 1990.
See also
Geoff Tate again denies pulling a knife on Scott Rockenfield and Dream Theater – Parasomnia | Metal Territory.
