OPERATION: MINDCRIME

There was always a dicussion whether 'Operation: Mindcrime' is the first prog metal album. Sure not! It is not possible to say that after recognizing the fact that 2 years ago *Fates Warning* issued 'Awaken The Guardian'. Anyway, OM is very influential album and I regret that I discovered this album only now, not back then. I simply had no time, I was too busy with other masterpieces.

Let me go a little bit away from the topic and describe you the atmosphere of the year 1988. Surely that year was extremely fruitful for Metal as a whole. The most important album was then IMHO *Helloween* 'Keeper of The 7 Keys. Part 2' (power) which was not only the best their album, but defined the development of power metal for years to come.

The same year *Metallica* and *Iron Maiden* came up with their masterpieces '. And Justice For All' and '7th Son of a 7th Son' accordingly. It was the year of *Blind Guardian*'s debut.

If we speak about Progressive true brilliants were *Fates Warning* 'No Exit', *Dead Can Dance* 'The Serpent's Egg' and *Crimson Glory* 'Transcendence', the latter is frankly speaking rather prog related.

In 1988 'Operation: Mindcrime' was present in the top of the most important metal charts. As I said I understand know it was very influential, even I would score this album less than those which I mentioned above. If I try to make parallels to other artists the first names coming into my mind are *Flotsam And Jetsam*, *Scanner* and *Crimson Glory*. All these 3 bands were classified that time like Speed Metal. Maybe you are surprised and never heard these names but I should tell that these artists have created their masterpieces around that time and were almost gone the same way like it almost happened with *Queensryche*.

At the same time I would never say that *Queensryche* influenced *Fates Warning* or *Dream Theater*. It is clear that these 2 always had their own routes in progressive and did not need anybody's help be that *Queensryche*, *Pink Floyd* (another myth) or anybody else.

So back to 'Operation: Mindcrime'. I was always thinking that good album has to have the energy to hypnotize and bring you in kind of trance. OM has it! In the same way like for example *Dream Theater* 'Awake' or *Bruce Dickinson* 'Chemical Wedding'. *Dead Can Dance* has perfect mesmerizing music as well.

Having said this it makes no sense to divide it into separate compositions and try to estimate them one by one - you will not be in trance if you try to do that!. Anyway, for me 'Speak', 'Spreading The Disease' are for the moment favorite, "Suit Sister Mary' is for sure very strong one. 'Revolution Calling' sounds good but a little bit too pathetic.

So my recommendation is: use your chance to discover this 1988 year album, it is full of power, it is prog related in the best meaning of the word.