Geoff Tate, founding member, powerhouse vocalist and prolific songwriter of Queensrÿche (circa 1982-2012), brought cheering fans to their feet for an exceptional performance on a warm, humid Saturday, May 16 at Rose Music Center in Huber Heights, Ohio.
The singer-songwriter, along with his band—dubbed Operation: Mindcrime with its namesake from the 1988 Queensrÿche album—sounded phenomenal and the sextet were welcoming and engaging with a stage production that included superb lighting effects with fog, appropriately accompanying each song.
This well-received tour, which extensively began early last year, is a tribute to the monumental dystopian concept album Operation: Mindcrime—which tells the story of protagonist character Nikki, who becomes a political assassin, brainwashed by protagonist Dr. X with trigger word “mindcrime.” The rock opera goes deeper when Sister Mary is introduced, who enlightens Nikki.
In addition to performing the entire record, a couple new songs were snuck in—“The Answer,” “Do You Still Believe?”—from Tate’s continuation concept album Operation: Mindcrime III (which focuses on demagogue Dr. X), just released earlier this month.
Tate’s stamina and endurance seemed unscathed by relentless touring.
At the age of 67, Tate proved to maintain an impeccably polished live vocal range, remaining one of the best at what he does—flawlessly reaching sustained high-octave tenor and soprano metal wails, blended with low bass and baritone.
Throughout his recording career, Tate has released a few solo albums, an album trilogy under his band and 12 albums under Queensrÿche.
Fans were also treated to fantastic classic performances of Empire hits “Jet City Woman” and “Silent Lucidity” along with The Warning’s “Take Hold Of The Flame” and Queensrÿche historic 1981 debut EP song, “Queen Of The Reich.”
With the tour designated as “The Final Chapter,” it is a not-to-miss show; a final chance for fans to hear Operation: Mindcrime live.
Prior to Geoff Tate Operation: Mindcrime was Irish-Australian-American hard rock quartet OGMA, led by DJ O’Sullivan and featuring band members from Tate’s current (James Brown) and previous (Jimmy Wynen) backing band, along with Colin Freknall on drums.
The animated, energetic Airbourne-like gentlemen fired the crowd up with stylings of 80’s hard rock and hair metal, performing guitar-driven songs (with plenty of solos) from their debut EP and stellar renditions of Thin Lizzy’s “Jailbreak” and Free’s “All Right Now.”
The band closed the set with their pounding Irish rock chart-topping new single: “Enslaved.”
Irish singer-songwriter Tomás McCarthy kicked the night off with a lively set (and some somber tunes) that showcased his exceptional bluesy, gravelly vocals and his speedy acoustic guitar skills.
McCarthy was joined onstage with his talented wife Clódagh (vocalist, saxophonist)—who is also vocalist and keyboardist in Geoff Tate Operation: Mindcrime as Sister Mary—and fellow solid guitarist James Keegan, performing songs from McCarthy’s debut EP, Colours.
To close the set, the husband-wife duo, who takes pride in their Irish heritage, stood together to perform an energetic acoustic cover of Lead Belly’s “Out On The Western Plains,” later joined by Keegan, who jumped in with a tambourine.
Operation: Mindcrime The Final Chapter Tour continues all the way through year’s end, with many overseas and stateside dates.
Tour Dates
https://www.geofftate.com/full-tour-list/
GEOFF TATE OPERATION: MINDCRIME
OGMA (click to enlarge)
TOMAS MCCARTHY (click to enlarge)
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