Operation: Mindcrime II

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Operation: Mindcrime II
Operation: Mindcrime II cover
Studio album by Queensrÿche
Released 2006 March 31
Recorded 2004–2005
Genre Heavy Metal
Progressive metal
Length 59:43
Label Rhino Entertainment
Producer Queensrÿche &
Jason Slater
Professional reviews
Queensrÿche chronology
The Art of Live
(2004)		 Operation: Mindcrime II
(2006)		 Mindcrime at the Moore
(2007)

Operation: Mindcrime II is an album by American progressive metal band Queensrÿche. It is the sequel to the group's 1988 release, Operation: Mindcrime. The album was released on April 4, 2006 in North America, (March 29, 2006 release in Japan, March 31 in Germany, April 3 rest of world) on the Rhino Entertainment label (which ironically is co-owned with one of Queensrÿche's past labels, Atlantic Records). The lead single, "I'm American," was performed by Queensrÿche during their 2005 tour in support of Judas Priest.

The album resumes the story of Nikki, a drug-addicted political revolutionary who was arrested for the murder of Sister Mary at the end of Operation: Mindcrime. As Operation: Mindcrime II begins, 18 years later, Nikki is released from prison and begins to plot his revenge against Dr. X, the villain of the first album.

Vocalist Pamela Moore reprised her role as Sister Mary for the album, while the role of Dr. X (played by actor Anthony Valentine on the first album) was taken over by heavy metal vocalist Ronnie James Dio.

The album debuted on the Billboard 200 album chart at #14, the highest chart position for a Queensrÿche album since Promised Land peaked at #3 in 1994. Thus far, the album tracks "I'm American" and "The Hands" have been released as singles with accompanying videos.

Contents

[edit] Track listing

  1. "Freiheit Overture" (Eddie Jackson, Jason Slater, Mike Stone) – 1:35
  2. "Convict" (Geoff Tate) – 0:08
  3. "I'm American" (Slater, Stone, Tate) – 2:53 (Official pre-release bootleg MP3)
  4. "One Foot In Hell" (Slater, Stone, Tate) – 4:12
  5. "Hostage" (Jackson, Tate, Michael Wilton) – 4:29 (Official pre-release bootleg MP3)
  6. "The Hands" (Slater, Tate, Wilton) – 4:36
  7. "Speed of Light" (Slater, Stone, Tate) – 3:12
  8. "Signs Say Go" (Slater, Stone, Tate) – 3:16
  9. "Re-Arrange You" (Slater, Stone, Tate) – 3:11
  10. "The Chase" (Slater, Stone, Tate) – 3:09
  11. "Murderer?" (Slater, Tate, Wilton) – 4:33
  12. "Circles" (Jackson, Slater, Tate) – 2:58
  13. "If I Could Change It All" (Slater, Stone, Tate) – 4:27
  14. "An Intentional Confrontation" (Slater, Stone, Tate) – 2:32
  15. "A Junkie's Blues" (Slater, Stone, Tate) – 3:41
  16. "Fear City Slide" (Slater, Stone, Tate) – 4:58
  17. "All the Promises" (Slater, Stone, Tate) – 5:10

[edit] Singles

[edit] Story

The story picks up 18 years after the events of Operation: Mindcrime, on the day that Nikki is released from prison. During his incarceration, Nikki has been unable to let go of his hatred for Dr. X, who has since become rich and powerful, and is preoccupied with thoughts of revenge. He still harbors resentment against what he views as a totally corrupt government. The training (or brainwashing) he received from Dr. X still has a strong hold over Nikki, but he is still conflicted. While he still feels the need to carry out his revolutionary mission, his thoughts drift to Mary.

Nikki wastes no time in landing in trouble with the law once again, and at his trial his pleas for mercy and leniency are lost on a judge and jury still remembering his past crimes. This only deepens his disdain for the government, the legal system and Dr. X, whom he blames for all of his problems. After Nikki escapes and finds himself yet again on the run from the law, his own need for revenge coupled by a vision of the ghost of Mary turns his thoughts toward killing Dr. X.

As the final confrontation with Dr. X gets closer, Nikki starts to have doubts. He questions himself and wonders if it isn’t really his own fault that his life is as bad as it is. Nikki does finally track down Dr. X, crashing his motorcycle into X's limo and dragging a disoriented Dr. X to the church where Mary died, where Nikki finally shoots and kills him. (The lyrics suggest that Nikki kills Dr. X, but do not explicitly state it; the live performance is unambiguous.) He gets no satisfaction from killing Dr. X, but rather feels just as empty as ever. The ghost of Mary appears, and appears to take pity on Nikki over the fact that revenge has not brought him any peace.

The ghost of Mary appears again and angrily exhorts Nikki to kill himself. It is unclear, however, if it is actually her or just Nikki imagining her. He starts to think that he is insane and contemplates suicide. Rustling through his belongings, he first picks up a gun, then a noose, before finding the very thing that drove him to Dr. X in the first place: heroin. Nikki prepares and injects a lethal dose and dies. As the album ends, Nikki's spirit is reunited with Mary's, and together they reflect that the only times they were happy was in the moments that they were together.

Note: The story of Operation: Mindcrime II is expanded on with video and actors during Queensrÿche's live performance of the album, which helps to clarify some sections of the plot.

[edit] Personnel

[edit] Band

with

  • Miranda Tate - backing vocals on "The Hands"

[edit] Cast

[edit] Production

  • Jason Slater - production, recording and mixing
  • Ashif Hakik - orchestral arrangements
  • John Greenham - mastering

[edit] Charts

Album - Billboard (North America)

Year Chart Position
2006 The Billboard 200 14
2006 Top Internet Albums 14

[edit] External links

v • d • e
Queensrÿche
Geoff Tate • Michael Wilton • Mike Stone • Eddie Jackson • Scott Rockenfield
Chris DeGarmo • Kelly Gray
Studio albums
Live albums
Compilations
Extended plays
Cover albums
Singles
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