Trying to do a concept record with both musical appeal and lyrical substance is a daunting feat. Writing a sequel to an album considered by many to be the greatest concept record of all time is an even more trying task. The members of Queensryche faced these trying tasks, as well as having to shake off their last decade of music, which hasn't live up to the quality of their greatest works, including 1994's Promised Land. In many ways, revisiting the brilliance of Operation Mindcrime could stand as the ballsiest move in this band’s career, or, if the sequel was pathetic, it could mark career suicide. Thankfully, it doesn’t disappoint.
In reality, Operation Mindcrime II will be judged on two levels – story and music. Looking at the story, it’s the continuation of the story of Nikki. Now 20 years older and released from Prison, Mindcrime II takes you on yet another bizarre tale of deceit, murder, plotting and general evil. It weaves in and out of storylines flawlessly, calculating two moves ahead of one’s normal though process with each and every track. Without detailing the story (you’ll have to buy the record if you really want to know), it’s safe to say that Mindcrime II does a masterful job at revisiting the original epic.
Musically, those looking for a continuation of the original Mindcrime's musical landscape need to keep looking. The band has been successful in recreating much of the old-school sonic dirge, but musically this is a far different record than was expected. For the first time in memory, Queensryche has truly built a full landscape of sound instead of individual numbers. Many of the tracks, such “The Chase”, are peppered with ambient keyboard and string combinations. Further, there are peaks and valleys on this release: Many songs, including “If I Could Change It All” or “All The Promises,” are ballads. A large number of songs are mid-tempo rockers as well; it's almost as if their conception might have come during the TRIBE writing periods. Tracks such as “Speed Of Light” really emphasize this point. This is not saying that any of it is bad. More to the point, the sequel simply doesn't have the sonic force of the original.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Chris Beaumont
I was hoping this would be good. Now I am looking forward to it more. Although I miss not having Chris DeGarmo on it. I had some hopes after he was on a few tracks on the last album....
2 - Guppusmaximus
Nice Review... Some valid points.
"Whereas the original likely sprung from a magical, collective inspiration, the band's musical ideas are now conceived and planned."
Mindcrime I was the brilliant progression to a band that had such talent for writing"Thinking Man's Metal". I think you should've said it the other way around as I feel that they don't have the ability nowadays to pen such a masterpiece without a little luck...Especially without Mr. DeGarmo.
But, I will definately check it out as they left me quite pissed since "Promised Land" including some of "Empire".
3 - Paul Roy
This will be worth it just for the Tate/Dio duet. I too have been pretty disapointed with these guys since Empire - or especially since DeGarmo quite. A band can't just lose their primary songwriter, unless someone else really steps up to the plate. Unfortunately nobody else has. They are still a great band to see live at least.
4 - doctorx
Decent review, I’m really excited about this CD. Although I don’t see how anyone can’t enjoy Promised Land!
Oh, and can people stop mentioning Chris Degarmo all the time. Sure he made some great music with QR but he’s been gone for 8 years now. Has anyone ever thought that maybe the reason he left was because he couldn’t write music the way he used to. “Hear in the now Frontier” was his last gasp with QR. Then he tried his hand at Spys for Darwin. Is this the musical direction you would have liked to see QR go in? I didn’t think so.
Can’t wait for April 4th.
5 - Guppusmaximus
I finally got a listen to Operation Mindcrime II and it's definately a poor sequel... Let me explain: It just isn't metal! It's a hard rock album and the production is lacking any kind of drive. Sure it's dramatic and would probably make a good storyline for a movie but it doesn't have the emotion and power that the first one had..
"Queensryche has truly built a full landscape of sound instead of individual numbers...." I guess if you consider editing out the space between tracks an impeccable egineering acheivement of some kind.
I feel that if you can't produce the metal that you used to then why stamp your name on the finished product?
Maybe I am being a little too harsh but this album in no way reflects the talented powerhouse that Queensryche used to be and it isn't a suprise...
Doctorx: If you can't understand why people didn't like Promised Land than you probably haven't listened to much metal just like alot of other people on Blog Critics....
6 - anybodylistening
I think Degarmo gets too much credit.If he was such a grea songwriter then where's all his brilliant songwriting now? Great songrwriters dont just stop writing songs or making music.As to the guy complaining about this record not being great metal,I think it's an uninformed and ridiculous statement.I have seen no promotions or interviews with the band claiming this is a metal record.The original Mindcrime wasnt metal,it was a good rock record,but it wasnt metal.I think it would be ridiculous for guys in thier late 40's to go out there and try to make real metal.QR would sound ridiclous making records that would be considered Metal in this day and age like Opeth,Avenged Sevenfold and on and on.QR was never a metal band in their hayday they were never in league with bands like Anthrax,Megadeth,Exodus and Metallica as far as metal went. QR was always a rock band, I cant think of one song that really approached metal.Having said all that, I think this record is the best they have made in over a decade.
7 - Ricardo Marambio
I'm listening to it right now, and though it was not easy to get used to a sequel of one of my favorite albums of all time, I'm starting to like it. It will definitely grow on you!! Obviously Chris De Garmo is massively missed in the songwriting departament and there is a "weird" feeling about some songs,but anyway, All of us Queensryche fans will end up buying this one.
One thing for sure, there are things I'd never heard on a Queensrÿche album before
8 - George
Courtesy of BitTorrent, I've D/Led it and listened to it three times.
It's OK...nothing special, I can't see it getting any regular play in my CD player or MP3 unit, unlike the original O:M, which still gets listened to at least once a week (and that's been happening since I first got it on tape in 1991!)
They tried to emulate the guitar sound of the original, with mixed results.
There are a couple of decent dual-lead passages, but overall I think the album is a disappointment (and NO, I did not expect them to recreate O:M!)
My problem is mainly with the songs and the sound of the album. Geoff Tate is a good singer, but he can't hit the high notes like he used to. There are almost no memorable riffs on this CD either, except for one track which rips the opening chords from Eyes of A Stranger.
OM2 is by far their best album since Promised Land, but it pales in comparison to OM or anything before it. The production is kind of dry, there's little excitement to it.
The Dio track is enjoyable, but only for novelty's sake. I don't think it's that great.
Just my thoughts, as a long-time QR fan (I'm 31 years old, I know my metal!)
9 - Cako
Well, i've listen this record 4 times at this point. I can say, that it doesn´t dissapointed me bacause i stand in this believe: "Queensryche never had been repeated they've never repeated an album"..so i did't expected a copy of original OM. Warning (more classic heavy british metal stuff) didn't sound like Rage For Order, and RFO (closer to overdubed pop metal like the song Walk in the Shadows) did'nt sound like OM1, and this patterns goes and goes in all next releases. QR is evolution, and i think that's why the've a solid and loyalty fan base. People evolves like music, and for good. QR is 'bout surprises, and that's why i like them...if I had known ahead of time that they would sound just the same as the first one...i think that had been a little dissapointing. However, speaking bout sequel, it's remarkable the fact that many song have the vibe and sonical structure that OM1 have. The Song " The hands" is a good example, taking the melodic line of "Breaking the silence", but in a slower tempo similar to OM1's "the mission". "The Chase" is a new classic, like "Suite sister mary"..that song has the operatic and dramatic crescendo of the OM1 mentioned song. Also, is a good point to include pamela moore in more tha one song, that gives to the record more storyline consistence and put the listener "awake" to story development.
However, there's many things both production and writing work, that create a good connection between two records.
The opening track may sound weak, as it lacks the power intro of the firs OM..I think some distorted guitar work had been good for complete the song. Said this, the bridge to I'm american is well done (convicted). I'm american has the structure of "Neddle lies"...similar rythm lines and breaks, and duel soloing.
"One foot in hell" has the same vibe of " revolution calling" with the intro guitar solo work. The duel soloing ala OM1 is remarkable on this song. The song " Hostage" is a strong point with a mixture of things; fretless power bass,drum intro beating similar to "Speak"...and a very good chorus with super fulfill voice.
"Speed of light" is a weak point,'cause it don't fit well with the record, to me it sound closer to HINF or tribe material.
"Sings say go" is a fast tempo song like "I'm american" and does it's work.
"Re-arrange you" begins with interesting string and synth work, to break up into a powerfull chorus with prog chords secuence and voices. OM1 guitar vibe again with duel solo.
"A murderer" also beggining has string and synth parts that fits very well and sounds modern and "fresh", then, it breaks into fast tempo like "re-arrange you" and has a back vocals in an operatic way. A chorus similar to "hostage" , very nice vocal parts.
"Circles" is a sort of connection between songs like "Empty room".
Well, i don't want to take all emotion to the released, i give to you the review of the remaining tracks.
Cheers..
10 - Jet City Woman
Looks more like Operation: WriterCrime.
"which hasn't live up to the quality"
"one’s normal though process"
I can't wait until April. Will have to check out the torrents.
11 - Gert-Jan Segeren
It's epic!
Allready had my doubts 'bout Promissed Land, and disliked the next albums enough not to buy them... Maybe Queensryche should have stopped making music during the time Nikki was in prison ;-)
OM II is a must-have again!
Because it's called OM II doesn't mean it's a copy of OM, and I'm glad about that: never pay for anything twice. But if you write an album continuing a story you set out years ago, I couldn't think of a better title. They also could have changed the names of the characters, rewrite a few lines in the lyrics and give the album a complete new title. Then everybody out there would praise them to the skies for making another concept-album... "just like OM"...
The story and music continue with Operation: Mindcrime II! Queensryche put themselves back on the map with a great album.
BTW. Maybe they should have released Empire after OM II and named it OM III :-)
12 - Hostage
I've listened to this album several times now and all I have to say is they have done it again. All the people saying that it's not a metal album or it isn't a certain sound that they have tried to shoe horn QR into or any pre-concieved notions of what QR should sound like are dead wrong in this instance.
I am a long time QR fan and I can tell you, straight up, after the listens I've given this Album I can say, without a shadow of a doubt, this is the best album since Empire.
Thought provoking lyrics, great guitar duos and the production quality is just fine. QR have never been your average band. I've never tried to put them in any category as they've never fit into just any category. Prog rock/metal, Acid Rock, Hard Rock, whatever. The great thing about QR is that they aren't the average band.
They never ask anyone's leave when they present a finished product. It's what makes them great. They've had a 25 year career without being in the mainstream for most of it and that is something to be proud of.
They don't do the same thing over and over again. They push the boundaries and don't care what people think. Aerosmith has done the same thing over and over again for years. Boring. QR are expressing themselves in their own way and that is their freedom. Most metal heads have a pre-concieved notion of what should be metal and what shouldn't. Open your minds and listen to this album more than one time. It grabs you and whirls you around. Great song progression, great story.
I'll even concede the fact that from Promised Land on some of the albums were weaker than previous releases but they were all still good music. Thats not the case with this album.
I'm 38 years old and "I" know my metal and my music. This is a great Album.
13 - Hostage
I've listened to this album several times now and all I have to say is they have done it again. All the people saying that it's not a metal album or it isn't a certain sound that they have tried to shoe horn QR into or any pre-concieved notions of what QR should sound like are dead wrong in this instance.
I am a long time QR fan and I can tell you, straight up, after the listens I've given this Album I can say, without a shadow of a doubt, this is the best album since Empire.
Thought provoking lyrics, great guitar duos and the production quality is just fine. QR have never been your average band. I've never tried to put them in any category as they've never fit into just any category. Prog rock/metal, Acid Rock, Hard Rock, whatever. The great thing about QR is that they aren't the average band.
They never ask anyone's leave when they present a finished product. It's what makes them great. They've had a 25 year career without being in the mainstream for most of it and that is something to be proud of.
They don't do the same thing over and over again. They push the boundaries and don't care what people think. Aerosmith has done the same thing over and over again for years. Boring. QR are expressing themselves in their own way and that is their freedom. Most metal heads have a pre-concieved notion of what should be metal and what shouldn't. Open your minds and listen to this album more than one time. It grabs you and whirls you around. Great song progression, great story.
I'll even concede the fact that from Promised Land on some of the albums were weaker than previous releases but they were all still good music. OMII isn't weak at all. Very strong album from a great band
I'm 38 years old and "I" know my metal and my music. This is a great Album.
14 - Ryan
After 3 listens, I have several things to say about this album. First, I am impresed. Not because it comes even close to capturing the driving melodic brilliance of the original; it fails miserably in this respect.
Fortunately, that doesn't seem to be what the album was trying to accomplish. Instead of musically conveying the passion, energy, and frustration of a disillusioned youth, it instead assaults the senses with driving rhythms, innovative riffs, and tortured vocals that brilliantly capture the mindset of a man who has been consumed by the pain of his experiences and his hunger for revenge.
The entire focus of the album is its lack of focus , illustrated by drastic, and sometimes very effective, stylistic shifts. One moment, a heavy, driving rhythms, the next a sparse keyboard-laden contemplative piece. All these aspects certainly take away from the coherence of the album. At the same time, though, they serve to make OM II unpredictable, daring, and fresh.
Although they are radically different albums, I can't resist closing with a comparison of OM II with its predecessor. In my view, OM I's brilliance lies in its incredible melodies, brillaint instrumentation, and remarkable consistency. OM II, on the other hand, focus is so successful in focusing on the unravelling of Nikki's mind that the music itself sounds chaotic and unravelled in places. This chaos seems to help the album almost as often as it hurts it, however, resulting in a very emotional and somewhat disturbing musical experience.
In short, OM II will never be the classic that OM I was, but its undeniable originality shows that this band still has still has a few pieces of musical brilliance to contribute to the sonic landscape.
15 - Wild Child
Dont get too excited over Operation Mindcrime 2 folks, believe me when I was 17 and Mindcrime 1 came out it was the most important thing in my life...the soundtrack to high school. Then Empire came out and we were treated to such assinine tracks as "Best I Can." After that Queensryche lost focus and Geoff Tate lost his voice. Promised Land was a half hearted attempt at grunge, Hear in the Now Frontier tried to be a radio band and the duo of Q2K and the horrendous Tribe tried to be....words cant explain Tribe. However thats what Mindcrime 2 is, Tribe with the lyrics of Operation Mindcrime. Nice try with the duo with Ronnie James Dio to cover up the horrendous music guys! Face it, Queensryche lost it after the first Mindcrime so they had 3 and a half great albums, the rest were ok to crap. After hearing Mindcrime 2 I thought it would wipe away the Tribe sound but it didnt so I simply took all my Queensryche CDs and sold them to FYE for store credit. The Ryche should take some lessons from Judas Priest and Iron Maiden about returning to their roots. Operation Mindcrime 2 is a dud folks.
16 - Guppusmaximus
AMEN... Wild Child!!
Too many people on this website mistaken slick production for a brilliant album!! Queensryche hasn't been metal since O/M:1... Sure, whatever...If you like the album,that's great but don't try to feed me this crap that they didn't try to capture the 1st one. They just couldn't!! DeGarmo was missing and "Metal" musicians in this country(US)don't have a F*cking clue anymore!! So, they will give praise to Queensryche's effort just because they are Queensryche. I've listened to the album 3x myself,I'm 31 and have been a fan since "Queen of the Reich"....
This Album Sux Ass!!
Ps-I can't say that Empire sucks because it didn't. Maybe because I was a Lizzy Borden fan as well,so I like the Drama...
17 - Wild Child
Queensryche cant make great albums because they arent a great band. They caught lightining in a bottle with OM1 and their "evolution" is an excuse at their failure to follow up with another album of OM1's quality. Lets have a look at the career of Queensryche shall we?
Queen of the Reich EP: Excellent flawless metal. Smooth and easy to listen to.
The Warning: Just like Queen of the Reich but with more diversified writing. Roads to Madness probably is their best song.
Rage For Order: In come the synthesizers and effects. As for their new "look" they look like a cross between Motley Crue and rejects from Star Wars. Musically though a good album.
Operation Mindcrime: Their shining hour. The greatest concept album in metal and their best work.
Empire: The holes begin to show. Good songs like Silent Lucidity are mixed with laughable songs like Best I Can. Commercially they are red hot but their skills are declining a bit.
Promised Land: Ambitious effort but they waited too long to release it and the metal crowd dissappoints with poor album sales. Tried somehow to fit in the grunge category but just couldnt refind their niche. The Mindcrime days are clearly over.
Hear In The Now Frontier: Tried even harder than Empire to be commercial. You is a good song but its clear theyre geared this disc for radioplay. You have to like this the same way KISS fans like Dynasty. Their best disc since Mindcrime but again in a catchy commercial way...very unlike Queensryche.
Q2K: The end is here. Bad songwriting is rewarded with poor crowd response while opening for Iron Maiden and poor sales. This is just a bad album folks and that cant be disputed.
Tribe: Queensryche is done once and for all. Horrendous writing mixed with Geoff Tates lost voice and an "easy rock" type feel to it. Has the feel of a Phil Collins album. Terrible.
Operation Mindcrime 2: Tribe + OM1 Lyrics = Operation Mindcrime 2.Its that simple.
So you see they have 3 great albums and bit and pieces in their other work. A great band? Nah, not even close. They didnt progress either guys, Rush and Iron Maiden progressed Queensryche just lost it and made a mess of their career. The loss of Chris Degarmo was clear. Should have broken up after he left and maybe they could still be looked upon with some dignity.
18 - I Am I
Isn't it nice to see once more how humans feeds on negativity, more than positivity.
Ofcourse negative opinions are facts, and positive opinions are subjective crap! I allways tend to forget that...
So to anyone who is willing to accept the fact that Queensryche's music could be great, even if it's not metal (reading all the forums I'm under the impression that it has to be metal, or otherwise they're not allowed to release it):
you just might not be disapointed by Operation Mindcrime II. I tried to put this in a negative way... maybe you'll believe me then...
But anyway, I am only I, so why even bother to go and buy it, listen to it and... maybe even love it...
19 - Wild Child
Perhaps Mindcrime 2 is getting such negative reviews is simply because the music is poorly written and unimaginative I Am I. People are indeed allowed to listen to it and love it but on the flip side people are allowed to listen to it and not like it. I think judging from this blog the reviews are 50/50 anyway with some metal fans liking it and some not. Personally I think it sucks and thats that. If you like Mindcrime 2 then more power to ya.
20 - Sidsel_Roine
I had a bad feeling as soon as I got in the store and saw the cover. Yikes.
It's 2006 and I'm not expecting them to try and copy the original Mindcrime musically. I'm twenty years older and ready for a new journey. Ryche is trying to relieve the glory days. Same art style, same lettering, same colors. Did the record company talk them into this project in an attempt to cash in on their most well-known work?
And musically...not only does it not hold up to the original album (what could?) but it doesn't even offer a bold new sound for 2006. It never feels like it gets out of middle gear. Where are the great choruses?
Tate's still-great voice will only take you so far. The music on here is muddled from a songwriting standpoint. Decent drumwork and bass, but the guitars and vocal melodies just aren't getting it done.
I would have enjoyed a new Ryche album more if it had been a fresh idea (like Tribe), even if the music was average. Putting the "Mindcrime" label on this mess is a...reach.
21 - Chimalpopoca
I remember back when OM1 was released, when I heard it for the first time I did not like all of the songs... I had to listen to it for several weeks... by then I thought it was a masterpiece.
The problem with OM2 is that we expected too much of it BUT there are 2 enormous factors. We are older.... These are other times... I have listened OM2 8 times now since yesterday and it is begining to settle in.. I agree with most of you folks that OM2 will never be quite as good as OM1 (what album is?) but, I personally think that OM2 is an excellent album better than Tribe, better than Q2K, better than HITNF, better than PL.... for me Empire is set aside (due to nostalgic reasons) but give OM2 a try and wait a couple of days or even weeks to make an objective review.
Songs I Really Like
- Im American (Spreading the disease-ish)
- Hostage
- The Hands (Intro reminded me of Breaking the silence)
- Re
- The Chase
- A Murderer (Great chorus)
- An International Confrontation
- A Junkie's Blues
- Fear City Slide
Heck, I can tell you I like all the songs.
I read other post that said it sounds old... (heard AC/DC Lately???). Don't be dissapointed so early.
Enter DeGarmo, probably you might thing he is the reason OM2 might not be an excellent album... but what about the past 4 albums he was involved in???? his inspiration days are gone.... something must have happened in his personal life to start lacking creativity. Said that, I think we have a good album on our hands, but it is another day and age to be compared to OM1.
Regards Folks!!!
22 - andy
Just listened to the CD and thought I'd post my opinion while it's fresh.
OM2 is a disappointment, simply because OM1 was so great.
It's still a fine album, but the lack of DeGarmo has really hurt the sound.
Geoff Tate still sounds amazing, and the storyline is still what makes it special - but it's a long way short of OM1.
Queensryche are still a great band, and OM2 is not a "bad" recording at all - it's just not as good as OM1.
23 - Dean
I think it’s important to note that MANY critics didn’t get the 1st mindcrime album when it was originally released. Most GREAT albums are initially critically misunderstood. And now, nearly two decades after its release, it’s hailed as innovative, revolutionary, and of course classic. . .Now, given all the so-called “rock-labeled” crap that fans are basically forced to buy, (since record companies and radio stations alike are geared toward shoddy “garage-sounding” punk garbage, that IS ANYTHING BUT ROCK N‘ROLL, and lacking attitude and spirits thereof,) I think Mindcrime II is a breath of fresh air. Sure, Tate’s vocal ability has declined some. . .Many aging people themselves unable to capture, or do things they once accomplished easily. . .That doesn’t mean they should quit trying. That doesn’t mean they should throw in the towel. But, overall, I think the spirit is there; the vibe is there; the same kind of middle finger” kind of mentality is there. . Overall, I think Mindcrime II is a delightful and appropriate follow-up to its predecessor. . .You buy Slipknot. I’ll stick with Queensryche. You buy System Of A Down. I'll take Mindcrime II over such rock trickery any day of the week.
24 - Chimalpopoca
AMEN Dean!!!
25 - TheAnalogKid
LOVE to hear all these "Ryche" fans condemning the band! Thats pathetic. Especially the guy that sold his QR library to FYE...good move pal! Thats a "fan" right there. Ive bought every Ryche disc since Promised Land on the day they've come out. This band is still very good. You guys have to understand a few things. When a band reaches its Pinnacle, its very hard to match that with each effort following. Metallica - Black, Pearl Jam - 10, and so on. Granted, Ryche put out a goldmine with Mindcrime. However, I agree with whoever said it wasnt a Gem when it first hit. It took a while for people to get used to. To sit there and say QR has 3 and a half good albums is ridiculous. Rage for Order is arguably the bands best, most creative and diverse album. Chris DeGarmo has said that before so that statement is valid. Empire is bad???? Unreal. Where do you critics come from? A few of you even wrote "The Warning" was better than Empire/Promised Land? Thats comical! I would be willing to bet that all those who said that PUMP Empire in their bedrooms non-stop. That album is great. Great riffs, great lyrics, great energy. There is NOTHING wrong with that album. From 1988 to 1994 Queensryche put out albums that you could listen to from start to finish. Personally, Im also baffled by those who say Promised Land was terrible! That kills me. Promised Land is my favorite album of theirs. Its dark, enigmatic, different (for them at that time) Also, its a story. We've all agreed Geoff Tate/DeGarmo were at their best when writing "stories" instead of individual songs. I WILL agree that Queensryche has taken a step back over the years. HITNF was NOT a good album. Someone said thats their best effort since Empire/Mindcrime (cant remember)??? You people cannot be MUSIC fans, let alone Ryche fans. A few good songs on that disc, nothing more. Do I have it? Yes. Im a ryche fan, of course I do. Then we have the departure of DeGarmo with Q2K to follow. This album is also not that great, but has one of my favorite Ryche songs on it (Right Side...) They still have to innate ability to catch you like that. Thats why they are so good. Tribe features the return of DeGarmo (creatively) and includes another one of my fav's (Great Divide) Still, not a great album at all. So how do you folks back up the comments of "DeGarmo leaving the band hurt them"?? He's an awesome guitar player, that goes without saying. The lyrics and overall composing of songs from Tate/DeGarmo were steadily decreasing though. Mindcrime 2 is a nice comeback. The band wrote this album to finish a story. Do I feel they played off Mindcrime 1 to make an attempt to sell records? Yeah, a little. But who am I to say they cant? Load/Reload. Use Your Illusion 1, 2, Mezmorize/Hypnotize. Dont listen to this record in hopes of it meeting the criteria of 1. Listen to it with a clean slate. Where are the chorus' you ask? Mindcrime 1 is not filled with chorus' either. Very short and to the point with lots of music. This one goes in that same direction. Queensryche is at their best when writing in that fashion.This album is NOT Tribe + Mindcrime 1 lyrics. I think all you nay-sayers should go back and really listen to (Im American, Hostage, The Hands, All Signs Say Go, ReArrange You, Fear City Slide, etc) the album. These songs are excellent in comparison to the Ryche's overall efforts from 1997 onward. I cant wait to see the back 2 back screenplay of Mindcrime 1/2. Should be awesome, and will further stamp Geoff Tate's legendary ability on the stick. No rock singer ever can handle what this guy can.