Queensryche - this band are the ghosts. Considered by many fans the first albums praised to the skies, as the euphoria can usually after by the latest "Promised Land" (1994). What is, however, no real dispute metal fan, is the class of the 1988 milestone "Operation Mindcrime". What the boys from Seattle have created with this album, is just divine and one of the best Metal records ever and in my opinion the best and most coherent concept album that you can imagine. The story revolves around the disillusioned Nikki, who falls into the clutches of unscrupulous Dr. X, which Nikki using brainwashing and manipulation in the name of his underground organization to bring to kill leading politicians UDN clergy. Nikki, which is powered by X with drugs, finds refuge in the former prostitute Mary (also under the influence of Dr. X), which brought by a priest from the street, but is raped by him. Nikki to kill Mary, and she is also killed - but by whom is unclear. Nikki wants to kill Dr. X instead. Later, Nikki realizes that he has fallen in love with Mary and runs helpless and full of pain through the streets. He is picked up by the police, reflects on himself and his deeds / his life will finally unconscious and hospitalized, and here we come full circle - he again sees Dr. X ... This story, which is full of manipulation and dark atmosphere just as is, chronologically implemented by the music / songs - and how !!! Even the brilliant opener "Revolution Calling" is an absolute blast, in which Geoff Tate shows what he has vocally it. The singing (on throughout the album) is unbelievable! The songs - the title track on the intricate "Speak" and the 10-minute "Suite Sister Mary" with famoser guest singer and oppressive atmosphere through to the very speedy Rocker "The Needle Lies" and the catchy "Breaking The Silence" and "I Don 't Belive In Love "to the final and just incredible, caring for goosebumps" Eyes Of A Stranger "- are beyond reproach. Mid-tempo and fast pieces alternate, there are short intermediate pieces, fantastic melodies and tempo changes - in short, the songwriting and instrumental Quaitäten the guys from Seattle are just terrific! Along with the great and dark story give these songs, which constitute in itself little masterpieces, an (almost) perfect concept album (only the live implementation, "Operation Live Crime", is in some places a bit crisper), that has no equal. Absolute and unconditional recommendation to buy for anyone who only partially understand something of Metal also !!!
