#53: Queensrÿche – Operation: Mindcrime
We’re back with another concept album here, this time switching out the classic literature inspiration in favour of a nutty dystopian sci-fi political conspiracy heavy metal opera. File this one under “shouldn’t work but somehow really does”.
I’d seen the name Queensrÿche around before, but they’re in a tier of metal bands that never released anything that cracked the mainstream. I’d have pegged them as a hair act, and the implementation of the umlaut does bring to mind Spın̈al Tap (though the band’s first full length postdates Rob Reiner’s movie by six months). While this 1988 record is ridiculously maximalist and excessive, it also sounds just superb, unabashedly slick and polished to the major benefit of the songs and concept.
After a bold (arguably patience testing) double header of scene-setting skits/interludes, we’re onto the first track proper, “Revolution Calling”. Taking aside the songwriting for a moment, I think immense credit must be due to producer Peter Collins for how this record comes off. Collins is a former Pete Waterman cohort with a pop background, but can boast collaborative credits with Bon Jovi and Rush along with Queensrÿche, so the guy knows how to add a certain sheen to heavy music. This LP sounds like money; equally importantly, it sounds like the guy at the helm knew what he was doing. Everything’s perfectly balanced, the drums slam, the guitars tear, the details are carefully considered.
All of this wouldn’t amount to much without quality tunes, of course, and the band bring it on that front. The title track is a highlight, summoning a strutting tension that works perfectly for an outre high concept about bringing down a repressive government. It’s the perfect theme for a streetwalking, ass kicking anti-hero. The solo’s terrific, half choked out whammy pedal action, half swaggering sleaze. They also stud the track with a few killer bass runs, for fans of that kind of thing (me).
They’re not afraid to go properly bats, either. “Spreading The Disease” is a lyrically deranged effort, full of grimy throwaway lines about a sex worker turned nun and broadsides about organised religion. This character then returns in the 10 minute centrepiece, “Suite Sister Mary”. Despite the amusingly punny title, it’s not really a suite but rather a single sprawling track with a gothic choir, a multifaceted, characterful turn from vocalist Geoff Tate (who’s fantastic throughout - as a side note, he must have the least German name of any German in history), and some sound effects and dialogue to further the story.
About the story - I couldn’t honestly say it comes across abundantly coherently, but I tend to think that’s no bad thing for most concept albums. With a scant few exceptions (A Prince Among Thieves, A Grand Don’t Come For Free), trying to make your record entirely narratively focussed often ends up with neither one thing nor the other, neither a satisfying listening experience nor a great tale. Operation: Mindcrime runs on vibes, and you’ll get the picture. The world’s gone mad, the hero’s going to do some violence and sort it. It even all loops back around at the end. Silly, but fun!
I found myself completely charmed by this record, and I’m pleased to see it’s generally held in high regard. Queensrÿche certainly went out on a limb with this one, but for such a madcap, ambitious project, you never feel like they’re losing sight of what they’re setting out to achieve. That on its own merit - visualising something as wild and weird as this and pulling it off - is worth celebrating.
