•
Rating:
Bringing out one of the best parts of oneself during an unexciting moment in one's career always raises a legitimate suspicion of nostalgic and mercantile speculation.
Honestly, ever since I learned of Queensryche's intent to revive one of their greatest works, I couldn't help but compare their idea to the aspirations of Helloween... trying to dress an album that’s more than decent with the garb of excellence, simply imposing on the listener's mind a dialogue with the band's true masterpiece (Keeper Of The 7 Keys Part 1 and 2). Because the epoch represented by the 2 Keepers in the power/speed metal world, was more or less the same as the one Operation Mindcrime, in the blessed year of 1988, represented in the neo-progressive metal hemisphere: a concept album, where the saga of Nikki, Dr. X, and Sister Mary captured time thanks to a whole series of factors, in my opinion, unrepeatable.
Musical arrangements, to say the least magnificent, and orchestral adaptations intertwined like a maze of rubies in a broader musical context born from a band in a state of grace, especially thanks to De Garmo's pen and Tate's infinite voice, created a true masterpiece, barely touched in quality by its two successors (the more commercial 'Empire' and the eclectic, but in my view equally magnificent, 'Promise Land'). Because "Operation Mindcrime" was great for its coherence and realism, great for the outburst of a band frustrated by the American political and social situation (listen to the ferocity of the drum-driven lyrics of Spreading The Disease, against the hegemony of political power of a secularized church), great because after almost 2 decades and the succession of 3 U.S. presidents, the political and polemical message of that record is still damn relevant, great for the damn perfect songwriting, so damn well-calibrated, with words and story following the music like a shadow, great especially because each song manages to be both unique and simultaneously a part of the mosaic. In short, 5 highly inspired musicians who reached the empyrean of inspiration and execution.
Today, those 5, (actually 4 plus one.., because the resumption of the concept doesn't belong to Chris..), with a few more wrinkles, have attempted to challenge the past, knowing full well that history never flows back and especially being aware of having spent the last decade through a discographic trio, all in all more than disappointing: a mediocre album (Hear In The Now Frontier), a bland album (Q2K), and the last one, (Tribe), barely sufficient.
Desirous of redemption, the 5 from Seattle decided to move forward by looking back first, and so, in the same graphic guise as the first masterpiece, they imposed an ordeal on us: a judgment on a record that, to uplift the band's fortunes, in a sense challenged its predecessor to perhaps petrify again in another two decades. Mission accomplished? Hard to say. After all, it would really be stupid to emphatically answer YES or NO because, as in almost everything, the last word always hangs from the mouth of time. It is certain, however, that OM2 is an intrinsically different album from its progenitor... identical to the latter only in the ideal background.
Queensryche are no longer those of 20 years ago and (and I must confess) the very idea of dusting off a concept already "conceived" made me somewhat prejudiced against its judgment.. anyhow, and trying to be as objective as possible, let's say that the sound that pervades this platter is generally what the 5 have offered us in recent works, notably lifted, however, by a compelling narrative line, by superb vocal parts (only occasionally, to be honest) and by an orchestral support also in this case, tremendously impactful. And so, “Rock, Revenge & Redemption”.. the long-awaited Sequel begin…
It starts with a slyly schizoid overture where the very underrated Scott urges the orchestra with nerve-wracking offbeats, up to the arrival of a prison guard.. hardly time to release Nikki from the prison where he waited for 18 long years and, thanks to a turn of a key, after just 8 seconds here we are catapulted into the third track where the protagonist can finally shout.. "I’m American”.. the first “real" song of the album: a distant cousin of "Revolution Calling", it features the two guitarists as a vanguard of a notable rhythm section, culminating in a power-like solo. Even though it's short in duration (but in the 17 tracks of this CD, only one exceeds 5 minutes) the song convinces enough to raise my adrenaline quite a bit. The emotion rises even more with the intro of "One foot in hell"; a 4th episode with a bimorphic flavor, because, after a promising beginning it progressively dives into drowsy and decidedly bland sounds, just lifted by the excellent guitar episode of Michael and Mike. The fifth position (Hostage) belongs to a decidedly hard rock song; at first glance, it strikes immediately for the immediacy of its melodic lines, yet I'm not sure why, but at times it sounds more like something penned by the latest Deris or Joey Tempest than by Queensryche: Sunday morning rock that a forty-year-old metalhead dad is forced to indulge in, chained by wives and children threatening to sabotage his stereo if he dares to rile up the condo with heavier stuff. Anyway, and despite this limitation (if it can be called that..) it's a decidedly good and gutsy piece.
A not too dissimilar discourse for the next track "The hands", which attempts a very close initial approach to "The eyes of a stranger". In its development, however, the piece seems like a roller coaster; it first dips with the softened tones of muted choruses, then revives in the finale with sound textures urged on by Mike and Michael, and grows further with Mike's solo. The contribution of the two guitarists (and particularly Wilton) I believe is really one of the album's strengths. Patently ridiculous then, is the dissonance of a song titled "Speed of light", compared to its inherently soporific progress.. not only that, but this song starts by distinctly picking up the sounds of that major stylistic fall that was 'Hear in the now frontier', though in its most convincing piece "Sign of the time".. In any case, the end of the 6th song is entrusted to a dark weave of whispering voices that tuck Nikki in uttering... "Don’t worry I’ll kill the bastards".. and so, taking him at his word, finally a bastard sound erupts in the 8th track: "Signs say no" is, in fact, a rather violent, pleasant, and overall convincing episode. After a white risotto (Re-arrange you, timidly spiced as usual by the two guitarists) we arrive at the main dish of the album: "The chase", where the vocal partnership of Tate with his majesty R.J. Dio (in the role of Dr. X), brings to life a song that is nothing short of spectacular: although a duet between these two "deities" would turn even a Nila Pizzi song to gold, I must say that, taken in itself and for itself, such a heartfelt track represents perhaps the album's creative pinnacle.
In contrast, the subsequent "Murderer?" seems cacophonic, but it's only an appearance because listening to it closely, it turns out to be a piece with an unpredictable sound and overall a more than good song (despite the bass of the eclectic Ed enjoying echoing pseudo-dance sounds). After "Circles", where an intimate interlude by Geoff verbally (and magnificently) sketches the protagonist's mental interior, we thus reach the ballad "If I could change it all": a great performance by Tate, Pamela Moore's contribution, and the Gregorian-like choirs echo the grandeur of "Suite Sister Mary" and gift us a heartrending and evocative track. Barely time to breathe and an equally great "An intentional confrontation", once more features the vocal cords of Pamela Moore and Tate Miranda in a superlative interlude, closed by an even more masterful performance by Michael Wilton. The levels at this point are truly very high; additionally confirming them is a very great "A junkie's blues" which plays on an orchestral arrangement tailor-made for Tate's voice. Great, great, and most of all great is Rockenfield's closure. I'm not saying it plummets, but surely after so much brilliance, there's a step back with "Ferar City Slide"; a barely more than sufficient song only saved by Wilton's great guitar (in this case a "lifeline"). From this varied proscenium, the curtain falls with the hyper-romantic "All the promises".. an unexpected litany on love between the two protagonists (Nikki and Mary) who from the dreamiest of contexts bid us farewell with a vocal iconography of two voices holding hands.
In short, a varied and challenging album, this "Operation Mindcrime, act two"; although it contends with several just-sufficient songs, it indeed offers notable episodes and still at least 6 or 7 pieces of the best Queensryche tradition you wouldn't have ever believed to listen to again. Despite the idea of exploiting the "already thought", as I already said, being a bit limiting, I believe that after the distant 'Promise Land', this latest work by Queensryche is undoubtedly the best we could expect... (especially keeping in mind the 3 previous albums).
I deduct half a point for the abuse of a pre-existing idea and (perhaps trivially) conclude by thinking of Operation Mindcrime II, “only” as the "masterpiece" of Queensryche without DeGarmo...
To posthumous ears, then, the most true indisputable judgment...
RATING 7 ½ .
Tracklist and Lyrics
03 I'm American (02:53)
I gotta have it, gotta drink the high life.
I'll buy a new suit, black skinny necktie.
I'll mingle with elite and imitate
And they'll never even get it 'til I hit 'em.
I've got no fear 'cause I've weathered the breakdown,
San Quentin to the edge of the Big Town.
I'm a man of the people,
In the home of the brave, and I'm no man's slave.
Because I'm free,
I deserve everything I can get.
I'm American.
I'm American.
If you voted for the man you're wasting time.
He's got his fingers dipped in everyone's pie.
The news can't wait to promote
All the bullshit this government is selling.
I've got this plan in motion, countdown.
Assassinate, terminate, smack down.
There's a war in my head and it needs to be said.
If they think they can take me they're dead.
Because I'm free,
I deserve everything I can get.
And I'll get everything I can get.
I'm American.
I'm American.
What do you believe in?
What are you living for?
Do you want what they're selling you,
Another television war?
I can't stop! I feel I gotta have more!
That's right, more!
I want more!
More!
Because I'm free,
I deserve everything I can get.
I'm American.
I'm American.
Because I'm free,
And I'll get everything I can get.
I'm American.
I'm American.
Are you free?
You deserve everything you can get.
I'm American.
I'm American.
Yeah I'm free,
I deserve everything I can get.
I'm American.
I'm American.
05 Hostage (04:29)
Culture hostage.
I'm writhing in the cold grasp of justice,
As she turns away.
Blind is she supposed to be but,
Someone took a razor to her mask.
Rusted now the scales you hold,
The balance tipped by the weight of gold.
When will it end?
When will it ever end?
The judgment man holds my fate,
As I beg forgiveness with the
Plastic smile of a candidate.
They take for granted that I'm out of my mind and they're wasting their time to care.
So all my reasons are damned before they're heard.
I'm held hostage by their words.
What will lead us to tolerance
If we don't question our prejudice?
Courage is such a lonely word,
Patience, in time these truths will be known.
Please, don't keep looking away.
You see fortunes are on line, reputations at risk, and there's fear in the hearts of all of you that believe that you're right,
And that's your right.
But are you... right?
The judgment man holds my fate,
As I gaze around the room,
Their eyes are like knives, could decapitate.
They take for granted that I'm out of my mind and I'm wasting their time, don't show, don't show me my fate.
Reasons are damned, can't understand.
If I fall to pieces they'll know...
He's out of his mind and he's wasting our time, we know. As I sense my fate...
His reasons be damned, can't understand him.
...and now all my reasons are damned before they're heard. I'm held hostage by their words.
I'm a hostage.
07 Speed of Light (03:12)
Wonder where'd the time go?
There it was, gone in the blink of an eye.
See how much life is left
Staring back in my face?
But I know it now as clear as,
Clear as a window.
(Never thought this day would come)
I never thought I'd see...
(Half my life is gone)
Thought I'd never live to see...
(Never thought this day would come)
I never thought I'd see
(half my life is gone)
Thought I'd never live to be... much of anything.
Everything moves faster now.
We're living at the speed of light.
I stand here fascinated,
Watching as it all goes by.
Maybe I should live what's left... like it was my last.
(Never thought this day would come)
I never thought I'd see...
(Half my life is gone)
Thought I'd never live to see...
(Never thought this day would come)
I never thought I'd see
(half my life is gone)
Thought I'd never live to be... much of anything.
Everything moves faster now.
Where are you now?
Feeling small.
Can't live without it?
You call this your best?
I made my life a mess.
And everyone but you sees it.
What a fool.
What are you gonna do,
Make more excuses?
"Don't worry,
I'll kill the bastard!"
09 Re-Arrange You (03:11)
Last time, missed my chance but never again.
The further away you slip, the more I'll dig in.
All things come around again
And this time I'll be ready and waiting.
You can't imagine dedication
That I now possess.
There's no one left to save you.
Where you run I will follow.
I'll step by step re-arrange you.
There's nowhere to hide.
You'll never see me coming but
You'll feel the fear from my shadow.
With intensity, yeah, you'll bleed.
Before it's over you'll age ten years older.
Time flows like a river... deep.
I'm going to take you down.
There's no one left to save you.
Where you run I will follow.
I'll step by step re-arrange you.
There's nowhere to hide.
They say let the world change you
And you can change the world.
They'll bit by bit re-arrange you.
I can't change the world.
It's taken me years to get to this place.
I found you hiding inside a persona
You built from my pain.
Fortune has finally come and
Vengeance is mine I've won.
I'll take the world now by storm.
Do I let the world change me?
Do I lead or follow?
They'll step by step re-arrange me.
Let them all try!
If I let the world change me,
Step by step re-arrange me.
If I focus on tomorrow,
Maybe I could change the world!
10 The Chase (03:09)
You think you're smart, inventive
Because you've figured out my game?
Pride is a handy substitute,
When you've got only yourself to blame.
All my dreams I've realized while you... were indisposed.
While you've spent eighteen years watching TV,
I've watched my fortune grow.
Here I am-I'm finally on the outside and
You're nowhere near where I've been!
I've got you where I want you... at last.
You've got no idea who I am!
We circle around each other waiting for reaction
We circle around each other waiting for reaction
Wanting satisfaction for the past.
I want nothing... from the past.
Always been so easy you're like a puppet on my string,
Throwing down hollow threats, unsure of what to think.
Why should I care?
You wouldn't dare!
You're nothing but worthless... I swear.
From where I stand I've got you where I want you.
You'll never take me! Never take me down!
I've seen all I need to put you in the ground
Revenge is normal, a typical reaction
I've seen your cynical reaction...
If you're standing outside of in.
Always on the outside of in.
Here we are at last facing oblivion...
And this is where finally it ends.
You don't belong here.
Holding fast to each of our sins.
With hope by my side, I'll survive to see the dawn.
Believe me or not... you owe me.
I owe you nothing!
I gave your life a purpose!
I owe you nothing but your death!
Without me you wouldn't have learned a thing!
12 Circles (02:58)
I walk around in circles, up all night.
I wish there was something in my life that turned out right.
I'm waiting here for reasons that used to be clear.
What I thought I needed so bad was always here...
13 If I Could Change It All (04:27)
She said, "Baby, where you been?
Why'd you have to leave me?
I'm on the other side... just looking in."
I've been so high; I climbed to the mountaintop,
Looked at myself and...cried
I'd tell you anything you want to hear.
And I'd desert you when I'm through.
I'd say anything because true love
Don't mean a thing to a man, who's not a man, but a fool.
Look at me!
You're a model of efficiency.
I'm always doing what he tells me.
How can you change it now?
I'm always looking for it down deep inside,
I thought that this would change my life.
Have you found out?
I remember more...
Can you change?
I can change.
For years he must have cried a river of tears.
In his dreams he saw himself... a dying man
Drawing figures, arrows in the sand.
Mmm, I don't think he understands.
Never thought that it would last forever.
One glance back... there's nothing much to say.
He watched as it all began spinning further and further from the truth.
And nothing really matters, when your heart doesn't lead the way.
14 An Intentional Confrontation (02:32)
Where are you now?
Feeling small.
Can't live without it?
You call this your best?
I made my life a mess.
And everyone but you sees it.
What a fool.
What are you gonna do,
Make more excuses?
Why don't you tie it off?
Hang myself?
End your pathetic little life!
What is your life worth now?
Is this what you pictured for yourself?
Do you understand anything?
You're not there yet.
You're not anywhere yet.
Am I closer?
Go back to your mountain.
Loading comments slowly
