Here’s the first in the trilogy by ex-Queensryche man Geoff Tate’s new project. Operation Mindcrime: The Key. Now, we all know the history to the messy split, all the law suits, who got what regarding names and rights. So nothing to be said here about that.
And I suppose there will be many who buy or listen to this album who will have a prejudiced opinion before they’ve heard it based on that messy history and what they think/don’t think about the situation and Mr Tate. Nothing more to be said here about that either. This is a review based on the music alone. Do we have that straight? Good.
And I must say that Geoff has stepped it up here after the messy Frequency Unknown and uninspired Kings and Thieves. The Key is a fresh, modern sounding affair with a mixture of styles and a not unreasonable amount of harking back to the Empire/Promised Land days. I say fair play to Tate for trying something a little different and not falling back on the Queensryche glory days style attempting to make Empire 2.0.
Put your history and opinions to one side, approach listening to this with an open mind and be rewarded for your trouble. I’m looking forward to parts two and three of the trilogy very much. There is a concept here to enjoy too which will no doubt unravel with the remaining two parts with The Key being the scene-setter.
So what about the music. Eclectic, retro, modern, progressive, expansive, positive.
Choices is an understated start with a rhythmic tribal feel to it. Burn is old school Queensryche with the stuttering riff and quirky solo. Future takes us back in style to the Empire period also with a proper prog-metal feel and a guitar break that’s pure Chris De Garmo. A couple of very solid rockers. Nice.
Here’s the video for Burn as a taster.
Ready to Fly brings a change in style with a bit of a semi funk rap going on which always feels like it’s trying to break out in to a full-on rocker without managing it. Not sure about the synth work. Feels a bit disjointed. Life or Death takes us back in to prog metal territory with a nice heavy bass line. Manages to be both moody and catchy. A grower.
Stranger changes style again this time we’re in to a bit of a rap which is a little reminiscent of early Faith No More with the fuzzy beat. Not sure it knows what sort of song it wants to be. Then we’re back in to the familiar Queensryche style with Hearing Voices and a nice up tempo rocker.
On Queue is a slow burning affair with the saxophone adding some mood with the following Kicking in the Door a similar moody track adding a touch of dark atmosphere. The Fall is a bit of an epic closing track of a style not dissimilar to Promised Land and a nice way to set things up for Part II.
Overall, Tate’s hit the spot here. Stepped it up significantly from recent post-split efforts, found some new identity and consistency to experiment with some changes in style and tempo which I feel works very well. A positive album which does make the listener (well, me at least…..) have a whetted appetite for the remainder of the trilogy.
I do like The Key. As I said at the start of this post – do approach it with an open mind, ignore the Queenstryche/Tate split history and instead enjoy a fine progressive rock/metal album with some diversity to it. Recommended.
Other reviewers will have different opinions, you’ve read mine here. For other opinions, have a look at what Amazon buyers think.
>> OPERATION MINDCRIME THE KEY REVIEWS ON AMAZON <<
Please support us and buy us a coffee.
