Recent Reviews

September 2023

August 2023

July 2023

June 2023

[ More Music Reviews ]


Operation Mindcrime: Resurrection
Operation Mindcrime Resurrection CD Album Review

Operation Mindcrime: Resurrection

Melodic/Progressive Rock/Metal
4.0/5.0

Website Facebook Twitter
Frontiers Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 14.09.2016

They say, ignorance is bliss. We all know about the scuffles and legal wrangling between Queensryche and their ex-vocalist Geoff Tate. And I did know he was out on his own with his own band, Operation Mindcrime (clever, no). What I did not know is that Tate and his fellows had cut an album, The Key, in 2015. Yeah, I hear you. What rock have you been hiding under? Well, if it's not pitched to me, consider it generally unknown as I don't spend every waking moment wondering what metal bands are doing. But moving on.

Operation Mindcrime Resurrection Band Photo

Operation Mindcrime

Tate and crew return with Resurrection, the second part of a trilogy and a conceptual series that has something do with "virtual currencies and internet banking and stock trading." That's what I found on Wikipedia as little can be found elsewhere. Lyrics weren't provided either, so I can't tell you how the story is developing. (It doesn't help not having the predecessor either.)

Musically, Resurrection sounds much like Queensryche prior to the commercially viable Empire, yet still tasting some of that album's viable accessibility. Thankfully, for the greater part, it doesn't sound like Dedicated To Chaos, which was pretty much dedicated to screwing with the fan's minds. All this is to say that Operation Mindcrime continues a tradition of melodic and progressive rock, touched with a metal edge. There's some obvious elements such as keyboard embellishments in a symphonic texture, also delicate piano and acoustic, always soaring guitar solos, and Tate's commitment to melodic vocals and vocal arrangements. And Tate sounds like Tate, maybe a little deeper with age, yet still in fine form. Although, early in the album, he seemed overcome by the music rather than rising above or leading it. But the firs part of the album is a bit screwing, made up of bits and segments that seem to have no purpose. It's not until Left For Dead does Operation Mindcrime expand and deepen their arrangements. In the end, I would summarize Resurrection as being subdued, even subtle, both purposely and playfully evasive melodic progressive rock that requires your listening attention. And when you pay attention you will enjoy it even more. Favorite cuts: Miles Away (listen below), The Fight, Invincible, Which Side Your On.

Operation: Mindcrime - Miles Away


Share This Review with Your Friends





CraigHartranft.net - New fiction, crime fiction by Craig Hartranft

The Bottom Line

I would summarize Resurrection as being subdued, even subtle, both purposely and playfully evasive melodic progressive rock that requires your listening attention. And when you pay attention you will enjoy it even more.

Find A Review

Alphabetical Index

a b c d e f g h i j
k l m n o p q r s t
u v w x y z #
Album of the Week
Read the Eclipse: Megalomanium Album Review

Formed in 1999 by singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Erik Martensson, Sweden's Eclipse is well into their third decade of making music. In the recent past, their recordings and reputation have ... [ Read More ]