QUEENSRŸCHE: 'Operation: Mindcrime II' Details Revealed

QUEENSRŸCHE returned to the studio this summer to record the long-anticipated sequel to 1988's acclaimed concept album "Operation: Mindcrime". Praised by critics and certified platinum, the original remained on Billboard's album chart for more than a year and its dynamic music and powerful message still resonate today. Rhino Records helps unravel the mysteries of the original with "Operation: Mindcrime II". The album is available March 14 at regular physical and digital retail outlets and at www.rhino.com for a suggested retail price of $18.98.

"Operation: Mindcrime II" contains a 15-song story and is performed by the Seattle-based quintet — singer and chief songwriter Geoff Tate; guitarists Michael Wilton and Mike Stone; bassist Eddie Jackson, and drummer Scott Rockenfield.

Tate says the current political and social climate inspired him to revisit the storyline. "I left the original open-ended with the intent to come back with a sequel to finish the story up," he says. "Considering where we are today and how little things have changed, it was too ironic not to continue the story."

"Operation: Mindcrime"'s intriguing and complex plot revolves around Dr. X, a political puppet master who brainwashes Nikki, the story's main character, to assassinate corrupt public figures. The story also includes Nikki's lover, Sister Mary. A former teenage prostitute who becomes a nun, Sister Mary is murdered mysteriously, leaving the cliffhanger "Who Killed Sister Mary?"

Set 20 years after the original, "Operation: Mindcrime II" explores Nikki's fate after being released from prison and reveals the identity of Mary's killer. "I tried to put myself in Nikki's shoes and imagine what it would be like for him to come back to society after spending 20 years in jail stewing about what happened to him," Tate says. "I became fascinated with the concept of revenge and what that would do to a person like Nikki. The story is ultimately about how Nikki wrestles with his conflicted emotions. On one side, his base instincts are pushing him to kill those who wronged him. On the other side, his conscience–represented by the spirit of Sister Mary — urges him to learn from his past mistakes and find salvation."

Earlier this year QUEENSRŸCHE launched a sold-out tour featuring the original "Operation: Mindcrime" performed in its entirety with actors on stage portraying the characters alongside the band. Tate says the band plans to launch a tour in 2006 that will feature a stage performance of both "Mindcrime"s in their entirety. "The actors on stage with us add a new dimension to the music," he says. "It's different than your typical rock show, but the audiences really got into the 'Mindcrime I' tour. It's exciting to have the opportunity to combine both albums into one show. It's going to be epic."

Since its formation in 1981 near Seattle, QUEENSRŸCHE has released nine studio albums. "Empire", the 1990 follow-up to "Operation: Mindcrime", sold more than two million copies thanks in part to the enormous success of the hit "Silent Lucidity". Released in 1994, "Promised Land" was certified platinum and featured the hits "I Am I" and "Bridge".

"Operation: Mindcrime II" track listing:

01. I'm American
02. One Foot In Hell
03. Hostage
04. The Hands
05. Speed Of Light
06. Signs Say Go (Will I Surrender?)
07. Re-Arrange You
08. The Chase
09. A Murderer
10. Circles
11. If I Could Change It All
12. An Intentional Confrontation
13. A Junkie's Blues (Everything Will Be Alright)
14. Fear City Slide
15. All The Promises

(Thanks: www.metalsetlists.com)