Former Queensrÿche frontman Geoff Tate is gearing up to release the third and final installment of the iconic Operation: Mindcrime saga. Dropping strictly under his own solo moniker on May 3, the upcoming concept album, Operation: Mindcrime III, will offer a brand new perspective on the classic heavy metal storyline. However, fans shouldn’t expect a full reunion of the original team.
During a recent appearance on Canada’s “Border City Rock Talk” with host Ernest Skinner, the legendary vocalist was asked if he ever considered reaching out to original Queensrÿche guitarist Chris DeGarmo to contribute to the project.
“No. No, not really. I haven’t spoken with Chris in a decade, probably,” Geoff responded (as transcribed by Blabbermouth).
“When Queensrÿche was together, we had 30 really great years, which is a lifetime in the music business. And not too many bands or artists stick around that long. And we managed to do that and created some amazing, amazing music. And I’m very grateful for that. And Chris was definitely a part of all that for many years. And then he wasn’t. People go their separate ways, and they find different things to do in their life that they’re interested in. And he moved on, and the band moved on without him. And then I moved on from the band. Things just happen. It’s a journey.”
Shifting focus to the narrative of the new record, the singer detailed how Operation: Mindcrime III completely flips the script on the established lore. Instead of following the drug-addicted assassin Nikki, this new chapter plunges directly into the mind of the shadowy puppet master, Dr. X.
“It’s all about him. We don’t really know much about him in the first two albums. He’s sort of this mysterious character that is lurking in the shadows, and he has a sway over Nikki and Mary. And he’s really, really difficult to understand — how did he get to where he is, and what makes him powerful, what makes him the way he is? And this album, it’s all about him. And we find out who he is and how he controls Nikki and Mary and other people in his sphere of influence. And, yeah, it’s really the first two albums from Dr. X‘s perspective. The first two records were from Nikki‘s perspective. He was writing and he was talking and he was singing and he was complaining. And this one is all about Dr. X.”
To preview the release, the lead single “Power” is currently available to stream. The track was co-written by the frontman alongside guitarist and producer Kieran Robertson. The studio lineup features Geoff Tate on vocals, Rich Baur on drums, Disturbed bassist and co-producer John Moyer on bass, and Dario Parente and Amaury Altmayer on guitars. Synths and strings were handled by Geoff Tate and Kieran Robertson, while mixing and mastering duties were completed by Juan Urteaga at Trident Studios in Pacheco, California.
Operation: Mindcrime III Official Tracklist:
- “The Scene Of The Crime”
- “You Know My F**king Name”
- “The Answer”
- “Vulnerable”
- “I’ll Eat Your Heart Out”
- “Do You Still Believe?”
- “The Devil’s Breath”
- “Ascension”
- “Set You Free”
- “Descension”
- “Power”
- “You Can’t Walk Away Now”
- “A Monster Like Me”
