Queensryche’s mindcrime Saga Coming to DVD

Queensrÿche brought the group’s acclaimed Operation: mindcrime albums to the stage last year performing the original and its 2006 sequel in their entirety during the group’s successful North American tour. The marathon shows included a full theatrical production complete with surround sound, video imagery and actors portraying the concept albums’ characters onstage with the band. Rhino captures Queensrÿche’s epic performance in front of the quintet’s hometown crowd at the Moore Theater in Seattle with Mindcrime at the Moore. The double CD ($24.98) and double DVD ($29.99) versions will both be available June 26 at all physical retail outlets and rhino.com. The album will also be available at all digital retail outlets for a suggested retail price of $14.99. An iTunes exclusive version featuring a video of “The Chase,” with Ronnie James Dio, will be available for $15.99.

The CD includes singer and chief songwriter Geoff Tate along with guitarists Michael Wilton and Mike Stone, bassist Eddie Jackson and drummer Scott Rockenfield, performing all 32 mindcrime tracks plus a two-song encore featuring their signature hits—“Jet City Woman” and “Walk in the Shadows.” The DVD features the same performance expanded with bonus material, including a tour documentary, a featurette on the band’s “Rock & Ride Across America” charity motorcycle ride for the VH1 Save the Music Foundation, and a live performance of “The Chase” from the Gibson Amphitheatre in Los Angeles, featuring Ronnie James Dio’s only public appearance as Dr. X.

“This concert is the realization of an idea that began nearly two decades ago,” says Tate. “The story and music of Operation: mindcrime is very dear to the band. We are thrilled with this performance and proud to share it with our audience.”

Queensrÿche released Operation: mindcrime in 1988. Praised by critics and certified platinum, the album was an acclaimed success remaining on Billboard’s Top 200 for more than a year. In 2006 the band released a long-awaited sequel to their magnum opus to critical and commercial success. The album debuted at No. 14 on the Top 200, their highest debut in over a decade.

The concept albums follow an intriguing and complex plot that 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. The album centers on revenge and what it does to people, their emotions and the choices they make.

• Disc 1
• 1. “I Remember Now”
• 2. “Anarchy-X”
• 3. “Revolution Calling”
• 4. “Operation: Mindcrime”
• 5. “Speak”
• 6. “Spreading the Disease”
• 7. “The Mission”
• 8. “Suite Sister Mary”
• 9. “The Needle Lies”
• 10. “Electric Requiem”
• 11. “Breaking the Silence”
• 12. “I Don’t Believe In Love”
• 13. “Waiting For 22”
• 14. “My Empty Room”
• 15. “Eyes of a Stranger”

Disc 2
1. “Freiheit Ouvertüre”
2. “Convict”
3. “I’m American”
4. “One Foot in Hell”
5. “Hostage”
6. “The Hands”
7. “Speed of Light”
8. “Signs Say Go”
9. “Re-Arrange You”
10. “The Chase”
11. “Murderer?”
12. “Circles”
13. “If I Could Change It All”
14. “An Intentional Confrontation”
15. “A Junkie’s Blues”
16. “Fear City Slide”
17. “All the Promises”
Encore
18. “Walk in the Shadows”
19. “Jet City Woman”

Bonus DVD Content
• Tour Documentary
• “The Chase” performed live with Ronnie James Dio in Los Angeles
• Queensrÿche Rock & Ride featurette