QUEENSRŸCHE

Operation: Mindcrime/Empire Deluxe Reissues (UMC/VIRGIN EMI)

Seattle’s prog metal kings give the crown jewels a polish.

Three decades on from the original release of their two greatest albums, Queensrÿche are in a rude state of health. Following the acrimonious departure of frontman Geoff Tate, the Seattle prog metal legends have re-dedicated themselves to making the sort of thunderous but eloquent music that was so beautifully defined on both Operation: Mindcrime in 1988, and on the globe-conquering Empire two years later. As a result, the band’s star is in the ascendant once more and there genuinely might be new fans that are yet to become familiar with these classics. Wallet damage aside, these absurdly opulent new deluxe box set editions are clearly designed to be the definitive on the subject, and are stuffed with more than enough bonus content to justify such a costly revisit.

THEY REMAIN AS FLAWLESS AND THRILLING AS THEY EVER WERE.

One of the benchmark albums of the era, Operation: Mindcrime was prog metal before the term had really been set in semantic stone. The overarching concept and socially aware lyrics were all Tate’s, but it’s the unique and groundbreaking music conjured by his bandmates that clinched the deal. An intelligent and adventurous record that emerged as lobotomised hair metal reached its commercial peak, it did also keep the spandex wearers happy too, with ageless anthems like Revolution Calling, I Don’t Believe In Love and the still magnificent Eyes Of A Stranger sounding simultaneously radio-friendly and edgy as hell.

Of course, Queensrÿche belatedly learned that writing a bona fide sequel to their conceptual magnum opus was, inevitably, a bad idea – Operation: Mindcrime 2 limped out in 2006 and even a cameo from metal icon Ronnie James Dio couldn’t disperse the tumbleweed. They were much smarter back in 1990, when actual follow-up Empire ditched the narrative conceits and simply delivered a tour-de-force of bombastic but nuanced metal grandeur, replete with some of the biggest melodies of the 90s. Queensrÿche’s progressive intent always blended seamlessly with their more commercial sensibilities, and never better than on the likes of Jet City Woman, Another Rainy Night (Without You) and the ageless Silent Lucidity. In newly remastered form, and particularly on vinyl, Empire sounds colossal and packs an even greater emotional punch than its politically furious predecessor.

These lavish sets boast large quantities of bonus material, but it’s the DVDs stuffed with live performances, promo videos and TV trailers that will have Queensrÿche nerds salivating. For everyone else, these two albums remain as flawless and thrilling as they ever were.