Ex-Queensrÿche singer Geoff Tate will release the third chapter in the band’s classic Operation: Mindcrime album series, Operation: Mindcrime III, on May 3rd. The LP’s first single, Power, can now be heard below.
Power was written by Tate and his guitarist/producer Kieran Robertson. It features vocals by Tate, drums b yRich Baur, bass by Disturbed bassist and Operation: Mindcrime III co-producer John Moyer, guitar by Dario Parenteand Amaury Altmayer, and synths and strings by Tate and Robertson. It was mixed and mastered by Juan Urteaga at Trident Studios in Pacheco, California.
Released under Geoff Tate‘s own name and not under the Queensrÿche banner, Operation: Mindcrime III is once again a concept album with a storyline following Nikki, a drug addict-turned-assassin manipulated by a shadowy figure known as Dr. X. However, unlike the first two installments, Operation: Mindcrime III will tell the tale from the perspective of Dr. X, “how the story happened from his point of view,” according to Geoff. “Which is kind of interesting, I think, because we’ve only heard it from Nikki‘s point of view, and he’s been sort of this victim throughout the whole story,” Tate previously explained. “And Dr. X‘s perspective is completely different, ’cause he’s not the victim at all. So it’s very aggressive.”
Operation: Mindcrime III track listing:
1. The Scene Of The Crime
2. You Know My Fu@king Name
3. The Answer
4. Vulnerable
5. I’ll Eat Your Heart Out
6. Do You Still Believe?
7. The Devil’s Breath
8. Ascension
9. Set You Free
10. Descension
11. Power
12. You Can’t Walk Away Now
13. A Monster Like Me
Originally released in May 1988, Queensrÿche‘s third studio album, Operation: Mindcrime took the quintet to an entirely new level. The concept, revealed through the songs, revolves around the character of Nikki, a recovering drug addict disillusioned with a corrupt society. Drawn into a cult-like revolutionary group headed by Dr. X (voiced by the late and beloved British actor Anthony Valentine), Nikki is manipulated to assassinate political leaders until his friendship with nun Sister Mary finally opens his eyes to the truth. Regarded as one of the greatest concept metal albums of all time, Operation: Mindcrime was certified platinum in 1991 in the U.S. and was ranked in the “Top 100 Metal Albums Of All Time” by both Kerrang! and Billboard magazines. Rolling Stone included it on a similar list, noting that “nearly 30 years after its initial release, ‘Mindcrime’ feels eerily relevant.”
The original Operation: Mindcrime album weaved themes of religion, drug abuse and underground, radical politics. By contrast, 2006’s Operation: Mindcrime II was regarded as an unnecessary sequel that many felt cheapened the original album, despite being a decent record in its own right.