Queensrÿche - Operation: Mindcrime (Pianist continues his exploration of heavy metal)

[@cbn6635]

Love him or hate him, but Geoff Tate was arguably THE best vocalist in all of metal around this time period (mid to late 80's), and to me, this is one of the best concept albums ever made..

[@iancraig5415]

Iron Maiden and Priest would like a word (yes I’m aware of the collab all 3 did briefly)

[@tropiq]

this album is a masterpiece, however it suffers a bit when taken in pieces, it stands a lot better as a whole much like many other concept albums / rock operas like what ayreon is doing, its also why i think its sometimes a solid choice to just leave it all into a one giant song like echolyn - mei, or edge of sanity - crimson / crimson II, or even jethro tull - thick as a brick

[@kahwigulum]

^ this guy gets it

[@C64SX]

One does not simply listen to just one song from Operation Mindcrime. I wasn't particular fond of the band back then, just because of the vocals. But then I saw them live on the Empire tour, and it finally clicked for me. Love those classic albums.

[@Kickenwing13]

Not my era of music but my work colleague was and he swore these guys stood out and got me to listen to this album from front to back. I went from comparing them to poison to comparing them to iron maiden after listening to this album.

[@-LOST-eb5xz]

To this day…..all these years later, I still can’t believe this concept story hasn’t been made into a movie.

[@jeffmaltby6185]

Not per say , but if you don't already know , check out Geoff Tate interview for the inspiration of Mindcrime , pretty wild.

[@Nikita_Kash93]

@@jeffmaltby6185 oh, can you share the link pls?

[@jyjjy7]

Sin City has a LOT of elements similar to Operation: Mindcrime

[@Roddrummer]

Never, ever, ever equate the 'Ryche witht the band that gave us the 'Unskinny Bop'....

[@Greatmeasures]

Yeah I admit that was uncalled for

[@jasperdevries1726]

🎵Eeeeeevery Ryche has it's thorn 🎵

[@johnpelfrey2425]

Thank you

[@lungfulldrummer8921]

One of my all time favourite albums. One of the best concept albums period.

[@Easy_Skanking]

You sir, are a man of refined taste and are absolutely correct.

[@jamescostello2558]

A masterpiece of an Album

[@MrAaronChatfield]

One of a small handful of 10/10 metal albums ever made... perfect, start to finish.

[@ronaldschenderlein2135]

They sound like Poison? That is Blasphemy!!!!

[@spockhozzer7207]

Seriously. Poison is way better than this

[@Sadion666]

​@@spockhozzer7207 double blasphemy, you're going to special hell

[@timfetherling9750]

That’s the worst comparison, ever. I wonder what his go to music would be.

[@ndfnq7811]

It's more like a radio friendly version of Iron Maiden

[@stepitupandgo67]

I prefer this to Poison all day...I haven't listened to this forever...it's cool!! Very well crafted songs..the timbre of his voice is trippy sometimes...but it was the times!! 30 + years ago!! I saw them at the gorge in george in the 90s...it was a really great show...Poison, come on, man...

[@WhatDayIsItTrumpDay]

The thing or element I always gravitated to when listening to Queensrÿche was Eddy Jackson's bass lines. They were always cool.

[@Maz08]

Top 5 best Metal albums ever written! The hours me and friends have behind this album is mind boggling

[@Hyriudragon]

Man, Geoff in his prime was something else! WHAT A VOICE!!!

[@jayjohnson3732]

I think this is a fantastic album. It is SO much more than the sum of its parts. And it is absolutely NOT generic ‘80’s. Geoff Tate was one of the greatest vocalists to ever perform.

[@AnnArborIsAWhore]

Operation: Mindcrime is the best concept album ever made and one of the best albums of any sort. It'd be difficult to overstate just how good it is without venturing into that which would only sound hyperbolic. Suite Sister Mary was my first introduction to symphonic metal, even if I didn't know it at the time.

[@labrosliapis1048]

Geoff Tate has the most charismatic voice. Queensryche were way ahead of their time. ''Operation: Mindcrime'' is the holy bible of heavy metal and it should be teaching in schools.

[@dianaharris2389]

The good old days…laying on my bed as a teenager listening to tunes.

[@metalcryptspt]

So great! Love Queensryche

[@Capitaomac1]

This album is a must! It is meant to be listened to back to back for the real magic to happen. A hell of an experience.

[@borisrobokov7002]

I think I Don't Believe In Love or Eyes Of A Stranger would be a better pick from this album

[@cameronsmith8328]

I’ve always considered the title song the weakest on this album.

[@jeffmaltby6185]

Yeah but Judson doesn't care for the vocals , so it will not matter. Musicianship wise though it is all 🔥

[@Nikita_Kash93]

I think Suite Sister Mary would be better

[@MattKrogmeier]

I think any single track on this album is hard to listen to out of context…this is one of those that needs the full album, because it’s all tied together. I get why Judson feels that way after hearing this track…it needs fleshed out with the rest of the story!

[@Nikita_Kash93]

totaly agree

[@Naamturd101]

Daaamn Richard hitting em' with the clasic.

[@sekcaJ]

One of the greatest concept albums! For some reason this felt like a hotter take than the conspiracy rant of last video

[@stevenewcomer8837]

I can’t believe that you haven’t reacted to “Take Hold of the Flame” live in Tokyo 1984. It’s one of the most reacted to songs on KZbin. It’s probably one of the top 5 live performances of all time. “Take Hold of the Flame” live 1984 Tokyo kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpybZZeMpptnas0si=FT2JnALxzDr315-h

[@jebrengl]

it is true that the album has either aged very well. a song that sounds great these days is "bridge"

[@WhatDayIsItTrumpDay]

My favorite track from the album was Suite Sister Mary. As it had a female singing back-up vocals in certain parts. The Operation Livecrime video they put out of the entire album had a really great portion doing that song.

[@burningbeard72]

Classic album from my youth! Was lucky enough to see Geoff Tate play it in its entirety with his solo band in a small venue in my home town last year. Dude still has pipes!

[@vonclod123]

This is going to be fun, in my top 10 album list, probably the best concept album ever, I think this is an album you need to listen to the entirety

[@Nikita_Kash93]

Have it on vinyl, such a great album. Masterpiece

[@brettschacht4183]

Before watching video: Could this be a contender for first full album reaction on the channel? After watching video : Welp, I guess not😂😂 In my top ten albums of all time. But it's fine. Really...FINE!! 😢 Still love you guys.

[@robertalp3878]

I think this is definitely an album to listen to in its entirety that than just chose a single track.

[@Akindmind-oe7ol]

Another banger! Good times

[@paidguitar]

I actually saw them open for Metallica, the And Justice For All tour in Qc Canada. I had no idea who they were and couldn’t understand why so many people knew who they were. Many years later, Operation Mindcrime, the album, is a classic masterpiece.

[@sk8taway]

“Hair” metal heads, we loved Queensryche. Operation: Mindcrime still slaps heavily and Geoff Tate’s voicals is godtier

[@TheDondoran]

I got big into prog metal in the late '90s/early 2000s with Dream Theater, Symphony X, and Fates Warning, but I slept on Queensryche entirely because of "Silent Lucidity," and because there was already so much other stuff to listen to. I listened to this album for the first time about six years ago, and it did kind of blow me away. I think it's amazing, but I also don't expect anyone to love it. I think there's a good chance that, if I listened to it back in 2003, I wouldn't have appreciated it. Music is just weird that way. But, man, "Revolution Calling" riles me up in the same way that "Killing in the Name" does. With a little less adrenaline, maybe.

[@TheCyberMantis]

You still need to give Judson: LOVEBITES "Swan Song" ( with Chopin piano intro )

[@danielhathaway184]

You need to go through the whole album and explain the story and I think as a whole he'd really like it!!

[@Ilikeryche]

I think Geoff's voice is responsible in part for both making them as popular as they ever became and also for preventing them from becoming more popular.

[@harolddeschenes4640]

This is the second-best concept album in my opinion, and Scenes From a Memory by Dream Theater is number one!

[@surg20]

Judson, please listen to the entire Operation Mindcrime I album. It is the greatest musical storyline of all time and read the lyrics as you listen. They have performed the entire album live quite a few times. There were several videos for this album released on MTV. Afterwards you will understand why singer Geoff Tate is regarded as one of the greatest rock singers ever. Queensryche is regarded as one of pioneers and leaders of progressive metal/hard rock together with Dream Theater and Fates Warning.

[@_Helm_]

Gents first thing: I looked into Paul being dead and the 'clone' plays bass exactly the same way, with all the same mannerisms as Paul. You could say that they trained the man, but it's too farfetched, you play instruments and you know it'd be impossible to consistently mimic something so deeply ingrained as how one holds a pick and how one angles their arms to produce sound out of a stringed instrument. Sorry, Judson, case closed as far as I'm concerned lol On to q-ryche. This is what we called progressive metal before Dream Theater. Fates Warning and them define the style. You're correct to note the hair metal aspect of this. This is the more 'thinking man's' metal answer to the surface tension of the hair metal bands but a lot of the musicological elements are the same. I prefer the album before this 'Rage for Order' but Mindcrime is a pretty powerful album on the whole as well. Tate is one of the all time great metal vocalists along with Midnight, Bruce Bruce, Dio, Benito, Arch, Marcolin and a few others. This album in its totality is actually musical theatre in the style of Genesis - the Lamb Lies Down in Broadway if you think about it, but also yeah good pull on The Who or Pink Floyd, I am sure they were mimicking that kind of thing. If you're skipping past the likes of Geoff Tate, it doesn't bode well for appreciation of the most vital part of heavy metal (the prog/power side) and the era when it bloomed (85-95) but hey, you might find something that breaks through for your sensibilities.

[@JordanFromJersey]

Queensryche isn’t my normal bag by any means, but this album is absolutely fantastic. I also have the sequel and have listened to it maybe once. But this one? Top tier.

[@jeffmaltby6185]

Mindcrime II is great IMO . Just don't care much for first track , I don't know why. After that , rest is 🔥

[@ronaldschenderlein2135]

Hey guys, Great CD all the way through, only way to listen to this! Saw them open for Metallica back in the day...

[@BrianYates-ue8hf]

I saw QR in 1989 in Hartford Connecticut opening for Metallica on the Justice tour and I got 2 broken ribs in the pit haha The themes and lyrics are still relevant today This is one of the best concept albums of the past 40 yrs Imo 🤘🧐😎✌️

[@91GT347]

Also great live show. They opened on the Metallica "Damaged Justice" tour. 🤘

[@GrimSRT8]

Such a weird choice of song off this album to start with, I’d definitely have started with Eyes of a Stranger or I Don’t Believe in Love.

[@leszekmiler7474]

Obscure Sphinx - Nothing Left

[@stephenpetrovich2383]

for this album...you gotta listen to the whole thing.,...one song for this album just doesnt explain the whole story...

[@Wagoo]

Definitely works best as a part of the whole album

[@eliceus]

I just realized Trent Reznor appears in the album cover 😮😅

[@Kickenwing13]

My 80s metalhead colleague got me into this album. Told me it was a concept album and that I was missing the point on queensryche.. loved this album they are much more than that crappy silent lucidity song

[@rand0m.u5er]

Poison is good feeling and party hard rock, right? This song has a denser atmosphere - no trace of party, although the solo is fairly standard. The album is something to listen to all the way through.

[@Ninang363]

I loved this album!

[@stevenewcomer8837]

Geoff Tate’s voice got better and was in its prime when they got to Operation Mind Crime, 1988, and Empire, 1990. Most people think that Geoff’s voice on The Warning and the live in Tokyo 1984 song “Take Hold of the Flame”, is his greatest. I love that performance and would say that it is a top 5 live rock song performance. I do cringe at times listening because although he is hitting some unbelievable notes, his vocal cords are doing gymnastics and mic volume is cranked up to make them notes and they aren’t what I would call beautiful notes. I can turn a mic up really loud and sing or make some unbelievable notes/sounds, but they won’t sound normal. His highest range on The Warning and the Tokyo concert aren’t “normal” sounding notes.

[@arddeth553]

Show him some Nevermore dude

[@Metzok]

This Godless Endeavor!!

[@garthgavette7888]

🎉 Show Juds Nevermore - Enemies of Reality

[@johnpelfrey2425]

Not the point it's a classic

[@garthgavette7888]

@@johnpelfrey2425 seattle progressive metal, theatrical singer, great band, etc. Seems pretty on point to me.

[@SUBI-IERO]

​@johnpelfrey2425 yea sounds like youre missing the obvious point.

[@markwillingham5343]

The vocals are cheese?.Have you heard Dream Theatre? The vocals are pretty solid for prog metal

[@johnpelfrey2425]

Idiot

[@PaulieJ2112]

For rock operas/concept albums you should check out Savatage "Streets", Dead Winter Dead" or "Wake of Magellan" or Helloween's "Keep of the Seven Keys" parts 1 and 2.

[@Spaderseven]

Give him come to the sabbath with murceiful fate!!¡!!!😮😮

[@Thedesertguy75]

Wtf, this record is genius

[@kahwigulum]

the phone off the hook sound at the end was really funny i see what you did there

[@aloysius6937]

Got to listen completely 👌 😊

[@kdove5056]

Time for Judson to fall back in love with Floor Jansen in the official video Lanternlight from Nightwish's new album Yesterwynde.

[@albertlemont5471]

Glam!? WTF? I have to question your musical knowledge of the 80s.

[@johnpelfrey2425]

Idiot

[@Olivia_Neumann]

What does “queensrÿche” mean, you ask. Think “queen’s reich” but with a random umlaut y to avoid nazi associations. Queen’s empire. I believe they have a song named something to that effect which inspired the band name.

[@Kickenwing13]

Here is what I have for these guys not that my opinion matters. vocally hard to get into. I had the same issues with them that I had with Megadeth. Dave's vocals were easier to get past because the other parts of the songs were so good. Same as iron maiden in the beginning for me with Bruce's voice but again you get past it and it turns into a positive thing. It just took me much longer to appreciate these guys because I grouped them in with shity bands like poison when they were actually putting some real thought into some of their stuff

[@ChickenLittle0419]

Should do The Dreaded Mystic Abyss by Shadow of Intent. It’s a masterpiece!

[@jamescostello2558]

Speak the woooorrrd !!!

[@KC_rocka]

you gotta do Take hold of the flame next 🔥

[@TheBimmelbingo]

Entertaining as always. Do some RUSH please.

[@julianortiz4151]

I’m a huge proponent for not reacting to individual songs outside of the context of this album. I think Judson’s perspective might change a bit if he heard this song within the album as a whole. Nothing about this is reminiscent of Poison so that threw me off, but OK. 🥴

[@irishinnish1]

Operation: Mindcrime in general is the wrong album to introduce to a QR newbie, but this song is probably the closest thing to a filler this album has. Now, although it's never gonna be his favorite, listening to this song in context with the rest of the album will make him appreciate it significantly more. If you must start with this album as a QR introduction, you could've gone with Eyes of a Stranger, Revolution Calling, or The Mission...but honestly, I think the two he would've had the most positive reaction to would've been either Speak or, to completely blow his mind, Suite Sister Mary (I TRIPLE-DOG DARE you to bring up "hairbands" after THAT one).

[@SUBI-IERO]

The 10-Greatest Songs No One Is Covering... Imperial Triumphant - Eye of Mars Nile - Sarcophagus Nightmarer - Obliterated Shrine Sleepytime Gorilla Museum - Helpless Corpses Enactment Nevermore - The Seven Tongues of God Opeth - White Cluster Emperor - The Eruption The Berzerker - The Principles and Practices of Embalming Dimmu Borgir - Kings of the Carnival Creation Aseitas - City of Stone

[@garthgavette7888]

All bangers. Especially Nevermore - Seven Tongues of God

[@TheSason666]

DIMMU BORGIR !!!

[@lawrencefine5020]

Greatest concept album ever made. All great songs, not one clunker in the bunch. YOU MUST DO THE ENTIRE ALBUM. Please? Yeah I'm a Boomer. Great selection.

[@tylerspunucious7420]

Maybe you should have your friend react to/watch Wagakki Band's Homura/Akatsuki no Ito live. Pretty sure it'd blow his mind.

[@Defaultis_hit]

I think that Speak would have been a little easier as a first listen, a little bit more direct and straight to the point

[@VultureLivesAgain]

I know it's considered their masterpiece, but I've never been able to get into Operation: Mindcrime. I prefer the self-titled EP & "The Warning." I don't know. Maybe I'll keep trying with Mindcrime.

[@Prime_Mover2112]

I think Suite Sister Mary would have been the pick for someone of Judson’s musical caliber. Just my opinion, I think Operation:Mindcrime is the weakest track on the album.

[@Werter666]

When will Tiamat finally come? Whatever That Hurts ofc...

[@ndfnq7811]

Not the song I would chose to introduce someone to Queensryche. Maybe Take Hold of the Flame or Walk In the Shadows.

[@AndrewAudman]

So many better songs to choose....I'm flabbergasted that he chose this one for someone's first listen

[@bumblefluff79]

I really wanted to like that, and it definitely has a touch of The Wall about it, but it overall left me cold. Ps. good to hear that Wolf Alice has made an impact!

[@eSIack]

This is a good song but Suite Sister Mary is my favorite on this album.

[@Ninang363]

Gream Theater "Metropolis" great rock opera

[@JamesHippe-wy9qh]

Not sure why this song reminded me of Metal Church - Badlands

[@paulpenix8198]

POISON!!!!! Are you kidding?

[@mickeswed3703]

Poison sound. the glam stuff. Queensryche was the another level. Chris degarmo was the G:O:A:T with rest of the band.

[@tasos0140]

I agree with Judson. Never really got into operation mindcrime hype. The writing and concept are great, but it always sounds 80s cheesy to me. I prefer much better their earlier stuff.

[@iamrickrock]

I see Operation: Mindcrime as more of a transitional type song rather than a hit song. They have much much better songs. Have him listen to Silent Lucidity.

[@thedevil1882]

Poison? Must be something wrong with the guys ear. Never saw that coming …

[@IronMetal]

That's absolutely true, Oswald didn't kill JFK, there are too many contradictions in the official veredict for that to be true

[@pietrolama2006]

Suite Sister mary pls

[@Ash_grooves]

check out shadow of intent - flying the black flag.... what aq groove...

[@djnapalm666]

Never understood the thing with Queensryche, I think vocals put me off instantly. Just my opinion of course

[@maskmedusa]

Poison?!? I’d love to have a laugh/cry emoticon here … Uh, you show your complete ignorance with this one. Sorry, you need to go back to school, dude. Vocal style = cheesy? You both need to go back to school. Last, you need to listen to the entire album, because it’s a concept album, and one of the best of whole time. You guys have totally missed the mark here. Thank you, drive through.

[@mickeswed3703]

Thanks for this comment. MaskMedusa I hear you. completely agree.

[@markgiordonello6710]

yeah uh they are not schooled in metal lmao! sounds like poison 😂

[@bogeywan]

Loving conspiracy week 😂

[@Eirath]

Always had a hard time getting into Queensrÿche because of the vocals. It really scars itself against the music, which is great. But just can't with the vocals. Bad fit.

[@AleXandrAO-rq8ki]

Fix your hearing

[@Eirath]

@@AleXandrAO-rq8ki If you fix your taste

[@AleXandrAO-rq8ki]

release something and I will try when you develop some talent I dare ya ​@@Eirath

[@Eirath]

@@AleXandrAO-rq8ki My talent has nothing to do with your poor taste or judgement. But no, before you get a better taste, try actually to get a nicer personality first. It might actually benefit you in the long run. Take a chance. You never know. Hate posting on the interwebz suits you ill.

[@AleXandrAO-rq8ki]

LOL relax bro ​@@Eirath

[@johnpelfrey2425]

Its not a poison sound judson lost a little respect for you

[@TheStacanova]

That’s probably the worst song to pick to introduce you to Queensryche, who. Picked that song? It’s a good song, but knowing what you like or don’t like, the most straightforward rock song on the album is not what you go with. “Suite Sister Mary” or “the mission” would be better tracks from that album. Or “Neue Regal” or Killing Words or even “Gonna get close to you” from their previous album Rage for Order.

[@AndrewAudman]

What a BIZARRE choice of a song to play someone as a first listen from that album. It's not a bad song, but it is arguably the weakest on the album...I have NEVER seen anyone recommend that as a first listen for Queensryche - so many other better songs to choose from that better represent the band - Eyes of a Stranger, I Don't Believe in Love, Speak, The Mission, Suite Sister Mary...I'm very confused why you would have chosen that one.

[@kennethcelorio4937]

I'm sorry my friend but they sound nothing like Poison. Queensryche is a progressive metal band. They are far above bands like Poison.