Queensrÿche
Operation Mindcrime

After years and years of repeated listens, even today I cannot find a single flaw in this platter. The more you listen to it, the more you feel like you're facing a chapter of Metal history that's absolutely perfect and unfortunately unrepeatable. Sure, this band has produced other masterpieces of the genre (see Promised Land or Empire), but this Operation: Mindcrime is, in my very humble opinion, the perfect chapter. But let's take it step by step. This album was released in 1988 and is a concept album... one of the best of its kind. I won't dwell on the storyline and spoil your enjoyment of savoring it yourself by listening to the album, but I would like to talk to you about the extraordinary quality of the songs. With a fearsome rhythm section (Scott Rockenfield, a drummer as talented as he is underrated), a phenomenal guitarist like the legendary Chris DeGarmo, and a singer with a divine voice like Tate's, it was almost expected to anticipate a masterpiece, and our guys did not disappoint. After a nice instrumental intro like "Anarchy-X," we move on to "Revolution Calling," a massive track that leaves no escape thanks to its simple but memorable chorus. Then comes the turn of the splendid title track, one of the most beautiful Metal songs ever in the opinion of yours truly. "Speak" and "Spreading The Disease" are simply fantastic tracks. "The Mission" (another incredible piece) serves as a prelude to the most beautiful song of the platter, the incredible "Suite Sister Mary." No comments are needed here; just listen and immerse yourself in 10 minutes of pure bliss. After this masterpiece, tracks like "The Needle Lies" and "Breaking The Silence" flow like water, leading to the beautiful "I Don't Believe In Love," definitely inferior to the gems listened to so far, but still a nice catchy and enjoyable piece. And finally, we arrive at yet another masterpiece of the album, the concluding "Eyes Of a Stranger." Just like "Suite Sister Mary," just listen and enjoy like never before. Throughout the album, Geoff Tate's extraordinary vocal abilities and the incredible class of an underrated guitarist, in my opinion, like DeGarmo, stand out. Every solo, every vocal line, every rhythm section is flavored with an absolutely out-of-the-ordinary taste and class. An incredible album signed by one of the greatest bands the Metal scene has ever had.