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QUEENSRYCHE Operation: Mindcrime I & II
Bristol, Colston Hall 24 June 2008


When Queensryche released their epic concept album Operation:Mindcrime in 1988 it quickly became one of the most significant records of it’s genre.

It tells the story of Nikki, who, whilst ill begins to recall memories of his past life as a drug addict, manipulated by the notorious Dr X into committing murder as an assassin. However through his burgeoning friendship with Sister Mary, a prostitute turned nun, he begins to question his life.

However still under the spell of Dr X he makes a further kill, that of the priest who introduced him to Mary and is ordered to kill Mary herself. This is something though he cannot do only to find Mary dead when he later returns.

Nikki is arrested for both murders and here is where we find him, in a state of near comatose and sectioned in a facility.

In 2006 Queensryche released a sequel; Operation: Mindcrime II picking up 18 years later with Nikki seeking his revenge on Dr X.

This tour sees Queensryche bowing to pressure from their loyal fans who have long wanted to see the full American stage shows for these concept records in Europe and as always Queensryche have listened and delivered.

The venue was perfect for this type of event which incorporates some dialogue with the heavy metal that underpins it all.

Vocalist Geoff Tate and guest vocalist from the original recording, Pamela Moore taking the roles of Nikki and Sister Mary respectively played their hearts out. This wasn’t presented in any half measures and the show fully lived up to hype that forever surrounds such an important musical accomplishment.

The sets were appropriately raw given the subject and lent themselves to the story. Guitarists Mike Stone and Michael Wilton played it perfectly and carried the tunes throughout this epic without fault. Bassist Eddie Jackson was as sterling as ever and I’ve got to say, this epic is an epic and not for the faint hearted. Along with Scott Rockenfield keeping beat the boys kept it up for nigh on 3 hours… now that’s heavy.

A guest spot on the video back drop from none other than Mr Ronnie James Dio who took over the role of Dr X for Mindcrime II so they can’t go wrong with him on board.

Post encore and the guys came back to perform a couple of little numbers, ‘Jet City Woman’ and ‘Empire’ both from the 1990 ‘Empire’ album.

The sets included the tracks from both albums in their entirety and if you’re looking for a good story aswell as some great music then check out these two albums for sure.

The show was a great hit with a varied audience and the acting was full on - which saw the West Country become the West End for one special night.

Set List

I

I Remember Now
Anarchy-X
Revolution Calling
Operation: Mindcrime
Speak
Spreading the Disease
The Mission
Suite Sister Mary
The Needle Lies
Electric Requiem
Breaking the Silence
I Don't Believe in Love
Waiting for 22
My Empty Room
Eyes of a Stranger


II

Freiheit Overture
Convict
I'm American
One Foot In Hell
Hostage
The Hands
Speed of Light
Signs Say Go
Re-Arrange You
The Chase
Murderer?
Circles
If I Could Change It All
An Intentional Confrontation
A Junkie's Blues
Fear City Slide
All the Promises

**Encore**

Jet City Woman
Empire


Review by Judith Reeves