QUEENSRYCHE: THE DEFINITIVE OPERATION MINDCRIME ELECTRIC FACTORY - PHILADELPHIA, PA
By Steve Trager
Queensryche - a band that goes without saying that they have not only matured as a band, but have significantly crossed limitless boundaries spanning their musical career now heading into more then thirty years as a true pioneer rock band, who has given the fans some real great music since their debut EP intitled QUEEN OF THE RYCHE, which came out in 1983. over the years Queensryche has recorded some tasty classic hits which have become their unique signature rock sound all their own. though Queensryche has gone through a small lineup change, they have still gained a lot of respect from true rock fans even without long time axe man Chris DeGarmo, who shared guitar works throughout their career. The most musical success of Queensryche can be reflected to their Album EMPIRE, which has spawned a few memorable hits which can be heard still on radio today.
Recently, Queesryche has gone back in time to which they are performing one of their greatest achievements in the band's catalog OPERATION: MINDCRIME. It has been more then seventeen years since Queensryche has even blew the dust off this extraordinary relic of a recording that was originally recorded in 1988. This tour in itself is basically a Queensryche gem of a tour called OPERATION: MINDECRIME TOUR 2005, which is a few classic hits hand selected in their set which are: "Standing In The Shadows", "Empire", "Open Your Eyes", "Another Rainy Night", "Take Hold Of The Flame", "When The Rain Comes", "Jet City Woman", "Strange In Paris", and The classic Known as "Silent Lucidity" and the entire Classic performance of this record OPERATION: MINDECRIME has become one of the bands signature medley of a portray of a classic performance with key cast members that set the tone with the band throughout the entire recording live on stage.
Queensryche basically no stranger to the Philadelphia area, performing at different venues on different tours, this time out back to basics. A small intimate show at the electric factory where Crave Magazine had the pleasure to sit through their amazing set. Front man Geoff Tate has never lost his insight as a performer, his voice pristine much like he first belted out something from The Warning record back in 1985. Like any band, yeah they are getting older but still they can rock harder then ever before as Queensryche has boldly demonstrated very quickly on stage with their opening first set. Progressive Rock heaven as I would call it while watching the rest of the band jam out to the OPERATION: MINDCRIME second set at the electric factory. Still amazing as ever the guitar works of Michael Wilton, who has never lost his love for grinding guitar riffs along with the newest member Mike Stone who gives the band a fresh new polished sound. Anyone would agree this time out seeing Queensryche had to be more then just another memorable typical concert. Infact the harmonies alone with Eddie Jackson along with Mike Stone remind me of the old days with DeGarmo on hand to share that spot light at any given time on a certain key song or two, especially on "Revolution Calling", "Eyes of A Stranger", and "I Don' t Believe In Love."
A fan of this band I have always been from day one, this tour is no exception to any given rule to one who follows a band who has built their core fan base and significantly changed the rules in today's genre of rock, yet Queensryche has not only set the record straight with this unforgettable performance, they have earned more then any fans respect with performing one of rocks true achievements in their career.
