Geoff Tate Is Working on Operation: Mindcrime III Because What Else Was He Going to Do?
Queensrÿche’s 1988 concept album Operation: Mindcrime, which follows a drug addict named Nikki who becomes disillusioned with society and eventually joins a group of political assassins, remains one of the most epic metal albums of all-time. The 2006 sequel, Operation: Mindcrime II, had a much more lukewarm reception, and nobody really seems to think of it as being as good as the first album. After vocalist Geoff Tate split with the band in 2012, a subsequent lawsuit gave Tate the sole rights to both Operation: Mindcrime albums while the rest of the band kept the Queensrÿche name. So, with Geoff Tate having nothing left to hang his hat on other than Mindcrime, he’s making a third installment that nobody asked for.
In a recent interview with Rock of Nations with Dave Kinchen and Shane McEachern (that was reported on by our friends at Metal Injection), Tate talked about his upcoming third installment of the concept album, saying that the tracks are “super heavy” and “incredibly technical” saying:
“They’re like algebra. You need a calculator when you’re listening to the song.”
He then elaborated on the lyrical themes of the album saying:
“It’s the last chapter in the Mindcrime series. So it follows the exploits of Dr. X and Nikki and Sister Mary, and picks up at a particular point in their story and kind of does the microscope of what is happening at that particular time with them. And I am just in love with it. I am so happy with everything so far, and I can’t wait for people to hear it.”
Then continued saying:
“I think that people will be able to detect little bits of what’s happening around them. And it’s an interesting time right now — very interesting. Especially after the 2024 U.S. presidential election, it’s gonna be really interesting [laughs] what happens. So, we’ll see.”
It’s certainly possible that Operation: Mindcrime III might actually turn out to be better than expected but, after the mediocre reception of the second installment, a third one seems ill-advised. But who knows, maybe I’ll be surprised.
In the meantime, Tate is touring next year and performing the first Operation: Mindcrime album in its entirely for what he claims will be the last time. Here’s the dates for that upcoming tour:
March 18 – Tucson, AZ – Rialto Theatre
March 20 – Albuquerque, NM – Sunshine Theater
March 21 – Englewood, CO – Gothic Theatre
March 22 – Wichita, KS – TempleLive Wichita
March 23 – Kansas City, MO – Knuckleheads
March 25 – Lincoln, NE – Bourbon Theatre
March 26 – Fort Smith, AR – TempleLive Fort Smith
March 27 – Dallas, TX – Echo Music Halt
March 28 – Houston, TX – House of Blues
March 29 – San Antonio, TX – Aztec Theater
March 30 – Austin, TX – Empire Garage
April 01 – New Orleans, LA – House of Blues
April 02 – Atlanta, GA – Center Stage
April 03 – Jacksonville, FL – Florida Theater
April 04 – Clearwater, FL – Ruth Eckerd Hall
April 05 – Orlando, FL – House of Blues
April 06 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – Parker Playhouse
April 08 – Louisville, KY – Mercury Ballroom
April 09 – Detroit, MI – St Andrews Hall
April 10 – Grand Rapids, MI – Elevation
April 11 – St Charles, IL – Arcada Theatre
April 12 – Cincinnati, OH – Taft Theatre
April 13 – Fort Wayne, IN – Clyde Theatre
April 15 – Cleveland, OH – TempleLive
April 16 – Columbus, OH – TempleLive
April 17 – Plainfield, IN – Hendrick’s Live
April 18 – St Louis, MO – Delmar Hall
April 19 – Milwaukee, WI – Pabst Theater
April 21 – Green Bay, WI – Epic Event Center
April 22 – Minneapolis, MN – Varsity Theater
April 23 – Fargo, ND – Sanctuary
April 25 – Boise, ID – Revolution Center
September 25 – Greenville, SC – Radio Room
September 26 – Myrtle Beach, SC – House of Blues
September 27 – Raleigh, NC – Lincoln Theatre
September 28 – Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore
October 01 – Hopewell, VA – Beacon Theatre
October 02 – Glenside, PA – Keswick Theatre
October 03 – Greensburg, PA – Palace Theatre
October 05 – Harrisburg, PA – XL Live
October 08 – Hartford, CT – Infinity Hall
October 09 – Newton, NJ – Newton Theatre
October 10 – Red Bank, NJ – Count Basie Theater
October 11 – Tarrytown, NY – Music Hall
October 12 – Fairfield, CT – Sacred Heart Theatre
October 16 – Patchogue, NY – Patchogue Theatre
October 17 – Homer, NY – Center for the Arts
October 18 – North Tonawanda, NY – Riviera Theatre
