Share

 
You haven’t heard it until you’ve heard it live. I have a whole new perspective of Queensryche’s ‘Operation: Mindcrime II’ after seeing the band play live October 12, 2006 in Portland, Oregon.
 
It’s no surprise the sequel to Operation: Mindcrime hasn’t received praise like the original, but geez, the first album was one of the best in rock history – for any band. That’s a tough act to follow, but played live, and in context with the first album, this Queensryche concert put it all together and brings closure (R.I.P. Nikki).
 
Standing center-stage, about 10 feet back, I had a great view of the show as Queensryche opened with ‘I Remember Now/Anarchy X.’ This is such a killer opening and with Scott Rockenfield’s drumming felt through my entire self, I was ready to rock with bassist Eddie Jackson and guitarists Michael Wilton and Mike Stone. Then Geoff Tate hit the stage and the band was off with the blistering ‘Revolution Calling’ complete with Geoff holding a handwritten sign that read ‘U.S. Out of Iraq.’ He brought another handwritten sign out later in the show that read ‘Will Someone Please Give George Bush A Blowjob So We Can Impeach Him’ – damn funny, unless you support W.
 
With actors playing the parts of Nikki, Sister Mary and Dr. X from Operation: Mindcrime, it really brought the album to life. However, with the stage in the middle and your attention drawn there, it became clear to me that the band was literally, brushed to the side of the stage. I’m not sure if they cared, but they did appear a little more excited during the encore – more on that coming up. With ‘Eyes of A Stranger,’ Queensryche ended their first set… highlighted by an electric performance of ‘Spreading the Disease,’ where Pamela Moore as Sister Mary was introduced.
 
After a 20 minute intermission, the band returned with ‘Operation: Mindcrime II.’ You’ve heard some of these songs on METAL SHOP – ‘I’m American,’ ‘The Hands,’ ‘Hostage’ and ‘The Chase’ with Ronnie James Dio as Dr. X. These are great songs, but they sound so much better live. ‘The Chase’ highlighted this set and it would have been amazing to witness a Dio cameo like they did in L.A. this past weekend, but the band played live with a pre-recorded Dio on video and it still kicked ass.
 
Like the album, the show really slowed down after that, but at least we got to see some closure… Nikki offed himself and joined Sister Mary in the afterlife and that’s the end of the Mindcrime story. When the ‘Mindcrime II’ set ended, the fans in Portland were not going to go home quietly, and Queensryche returned for an encore.
 
With the acting scenes behind them, they got to be just a band again and we were blown away by ‘Walk In The Shadows’ and ‘Jet City Woman.’ On Jet City, the crowd say the chorus with such passion, I think Geoff was taken back a little… that song did really well here back in 1990 and he may have been reminded he was only 170 miles from home – Queensryche played Seattle the very next night.
 
The tour continues through the end of November with stops in Canadian cities, East Coast USA, Texas, Arizona and Vegas. If you haven’t seen ‘Mindcrime’ live, you should go – they may never do it like this again.
 
Special thanks to Queensryche publicist Jeff Albright at The Albright Entertainment Group for making this happen. Here are some pictures of the show, enjoy -Rich Rock (Review) -Ralph Cartel (Photos).
 
[print_gllr id=1820]

80s Metal Trending

Legendary hard rock bassist Rudy Sarzo says that it is an "honor" for him to be participating in Ozzy Osbourne's farewell concert in Birmingham, United Kingdon. Taking place on July [...]

In a new interview with Thomas Moser of Germany's Rock Antenne, SAVATAGE guitarist Chris Caffery spoke about the reactivated band's upcoming shows in Europe and South America. Joining Chris in [...]

CINDERELLA frontman Tom Keifer will team up with L.A. GUNS for a U.S. tour this summer and fall. The trek is currently scheduled to kick off on August 28 in [...]

Joint trek runs from late August through early October. Continue reading… [...]

On April 25, 2025, Raven Drum Foundation will bring together an all-star lineup at New York City's famed Cutting Room to support first responders and veterans for the second year [...]

Eighties metal stalwarts Armored Saint will support on select dates. Continue reading… [...]

Guitar legend Michael Schenker has announced the U.S. leg of his "My Years With UFO" tour. Schenker will be touring in support of his recently released "My Years With UFO" [...]

The . The post The Fifth’s new studio album ‘We Are One’ available on May 2nd first appeared on Sleaze Roxx. [...]

IRON MAIDEN bassist Steve Harris has paid tribute to the band's former singer Paul Di'Anno who died last October at the age of 66. Speaking to U.K.'s Classic Rock magazine, [...]

Upcoming album track features him on an original song for first time since his return to band in 2020. Continue reading… [...]

In a new interview with Radioactive MikeZ, host of the 96.7 KCAL-FM program "Wired In The Empire", Glenn Danzig was asked if he would ever consider playing one big final [...]

The performance will be available on Apple Vision Pro — which costs a pretty penny. Continue reading… [...]

Here's what you need to know about Metallica's immersive VR concert film coming March 14, 2025. Continue reading… [...]

Back To The Beginning won’t be the first time Black Sabbath’s founding lineup briefly got back together to raise money for charity… [...]

The Kiss star talks about his upcoming solo tour and his son's headline-grabbing new musical project. Continue reading… [...]

The world got its first look at Ghost’s ‘new’ frontman last week, but Papa V Perpetua was first named on February posters for Black Sabbath’s Back To The Beginning event [...]

KISS . The post KISS to release ‘Asylum’ era ‘Off The Soundboard: HemisFair Arena, San Antonio, Texas – 12-3-1985’ first appeared on Sleaze Roxx. [...]

You can watch "overwhelming" Metallica live performance –as long as you've got a set of $2500 Apple Vision Pros [...]

He pays tribute to the "original number one redhead." Continue reading… [...]

From their goth metal breakouts to Ozzfest and requiring FBI support against stalkers, Lacuna Coil put Italian metal on the map [...]

Metal Hammer has teamed up with the New Heavy Class Of 2025 - Jinjer, Electric Callboy, Slaughter To Prevail, Bambie Thug and Bloodywood - for these special bundles featuring exclusive [...]

When Von Hertzen Brothers’ Mikko Von Hertzen has control of the playlist, these are the songs you’re going to hear [...]

The Opeth frontman also reveals which of his songs he feels are overrated in a new interview with Metal Hammer [...]