Jimmy Kay and Alan Dixon from Canada’s The Metal Voice recently spoke to Geoff Tate (Ex Queensryche) who’s current musical project called Operation Mindcrime will be releasing a concept album called “The Key” on September 18, 2015 on Frontiers, the first of three album installments.
Tate spoke about, the concept behind “The Key”, as well as the recording highs and lows of Queensryche‘s critically acclaimed albums “The Warning” and “Operation Mindcrime” and the closing of the infamous Le Studio Morin Heights where “Operation Mindcrime” was inspired and recorded.
When asked about Operation Mindcrime’s new concept album The Key
“When you write a concept record it definitely gives you the opportunity to do some different things that you normal wouldn’t do with a record of standalone songs because you are telling a story. So stories aren’t static they are very dynamic, there is lots of different moods you can explore within any given story. I like variance and variety. I go into it with single purpose of writing an entertaining story that is interesting and the challenge of matching music to that story so the listeners are transported on a musical route.”
When asked about being learning experiences in the early days in Queensryche from other bands such as Twisted Sister and Ronnie James Dio
“I wasn’t really aware of Twisted Sister at the time, so it was kind of an eye opening experience sharing the stage with these very tall New York guys who wore really elaborate makeup and hair, costumes and it was kind of an eye opening experience. They had a really cool presentation and I learned a lot from them as far as stage craft and just the way they handled themselves.”
“And some people that you meet on the way are very open to sharing their philosophy and there mindset their way of doing things, Ronnie Dio for example is a guy that was very helpful in the beginning stages of the Queensryche career, giving us advice helping us out he was a very giving person.”
When asked the bands mindset during the recording of Queensrcyhe first Full length album The Warning
“It was a real disappointment to everybody in the band at the time, cause of course it was taken out of our hands and mixed by somebody who didn’t care about it and and didn’t want the input of the band and it was quite a shocking experience.”
When asked what Geoff Tate spoken word was in the middle of the song Roads to Madness off the Warning Album
“It’s kind of strange I wrote what I was saying on a scrap of paper in the studio and then walked away from the microphone and never picked up the paper again, so it’s lost.”
On how the city Montreal, Canada inspired the story and characters of Operation Mindcrime
“Montreal Canada is a wonderful city very inspirational a lot of the Mindcrime story was written in Montreal. The story line came from my time I spent in Montreal. I used to go to this little club on St-Denis called Le Saint-Sulpice. At the time it was a dark dingy little place, the clientele was a mix of all these different kinds of people and that’s where I met some of the people that became characters in my story. And that’s where I used to spend all my time. Dr X character came from a guy that I met at Le Saint-Sulpice. Sister Mary was a composite of couple of different characters I met one was in Montreal the other was in Amsterdam.”
When asked if the whole album The Key will be played during the tour
“I plan on playing the entire album and then probably book ending the new album with songs from my past.”
Geoff Tate‘s OPERATION: MINDCRIME to unlock part one Of epic musical trilogy with release of “The Key” On tuesday, September 18 on Frontiers Music srl.
“The Key”, a twelve-song disc featuring such songs as “Burn,” “Re-Inventing the Future,” “Life or Death?” and “The Fall”, to expand minds through music by pondering the discovery Of “The Key” that could change the way we perceive the world.
Perhaps one of Tate’s most ambitious recordings to date, The Key examines what one might do if they discovered “the key” to changing the way we view the world, the way we look at time, the way we travel, and could essentially change the human condition… for better or for worse.
Fresh from the creative mind of Geoff Tate, The Key features a dozen songs (see entire track listing below) and marks part one of an epic musical trilogy that initiates that very question within a web of international politics, the world economy and social ethos.
The Key is the debut album under Tate’s new Operation: Mindcrime banner, a creative platform that continues in the spirit of the historic album of the same name, spawning concepts as grand as the music, and intertwining the intensity of the former Queensryche vocalist’s iconic past with the provocative, progressive mindset that has made him one of music’s most resolute forces and frontmen.
Geoff Tate has sold more than 25 million records at the helm of Queensryche, the band he fronted for 30 years from their inception through 2012, earning three Grammy nominations, five MTV Music Video Award nomimations, and one MTV Music Video Award along the way.
The landmark concept album Operation: Mindcrime thrust Tate’s unique social consciousness, style and expertly crafted lyrics into the national spotlight in 1988, and was followed by Empire in 1990, the album that delivered Queensryche to arena-headlining status and sold more than three million albums on the back of hit singles and radio staples “Silent Lucidity” and “Jet City Woman.”
By the time the band released Promised Land in 1994, Geoff Tate was universally acknowledged as one of the greatest frontmen in rock and metal, and a driving force behind one of the most innovative bands in mainstream music.
From Mindcrime and Promised Land through 2009’s overlooked gem American Soldier – Tate’s ambitious concept album that explores the consequences of war as told through the voices of veterans – Tate’s 13-album tenure with Queensryche was marked by exploration, intrigue, bold risks and gratifying results.
The Key continues in that fine tradition.
“Musically, this album is quite adventurous,” says Tate of his first release in a new worldwide deal with Frontiers Music SRL. “Of course there are key elements in the music, melody and phrasings that are really identifiable, but throughout my career I’ve opened my eyes and ears to new standards and arrangements, and that’s what keeps things fresh and exciting as an artist – we’ve thrown out the rules for this record, and it’s been really liberating. I’m a fan of old prog, and that music didn’t stick to rules. It’s inspiring and enjoyable to be able to explore, and it’s great being in a position to write without constraints.”
The results are a series of albums that don’t languish in nostalgia, instead offering listeners an opportunity to delve into a world of ideas and inspiration that Tate has been nurturing for the better portion of the last decade. Instead of asking, “Who killed Mary?”, Operation: Mindcrime now asks, “What are the implications of changing the world?”
“Like every album I’ve ever done, people will hear and experience it differently, and that is something that I look forward to,” continues Tate. “Music is an intimate experience – your inspirations are unique to you, and will be heard differently through every set of ears and experiences – but isn’t that really what makes art exciting? It inspires us all in different ways and for different reasons, and this album is no different. There are quite a few sections of this album that help propel the story with segues and dialogue, but the lyrics don’t lay out a breadcrumb trail and tell the story in a linear fashion, there’s a puzzle. We have several characters, and three other people singing lead vocals on the first album. That made it even more fun for me and helps give the album its own special character.
“Musically, there’s quite a smorgasbord, we’ve played with sound and established a sound palate – heavy guitar, obviously, cool drumming… all the music is very sophisticated, and there are interesting time changes, the band is playing with different countings and we switch throughout each piece. We can perform the verse in one feel, the bridge in another, and transition to a new chorus, very challenging stuff and lots of different sounds that people probably haven’t heard on one of my albums before – new and different guitar sounds and vocal treatments, very dynamic stuff.”
Joining Tate on The Key are a hard-hitting cast of familiar faces and new collaborators: bass players Dave Ellefson (Metal Allegiance) and John Moyer (Disturbed, Adrenaline Mob), drummers Simon Wright (AC/DC), Scott Mercado (Candlebox) and Brian Tichy (Billy Idol, Ozzy Osbourne), guitarists Kelly Gray (Queensryche) and Scott Moughton (Geoff Tate), keyboardist Randy Gane (Myth) and vocalist Mark Daly (The Voodoos).
Tate makes one point exceptionally clear – Operation: Mindcrime isn’t a band, it is a musical project of like-minded people uniting to achieve a common goal. While the songwriting rests predominantly on the shoulders of Tate, Gray and Gane, it’s up to every contributor to add their influence and help color the landscape.
“The songs on these records tell a story, and each song is a scene or chapter – every scene is different. The words tell the story, the musical bed, the chord progressions and melodies, they set the pace. That’s how I envisioned this album in total, very theatrical and definitely cinematic.
“How do we describe passion?” Tate asks in conclusion, cautiously answering his own question: “Music is a personal journey, and all you can do is write what moves you. That’s what passion is – it’s so difficult, yet it’s such an important human emotion. There are moments on this record that really impact me, the questions raised and the music those questions are set to… I don’t know if it will have that same effect on everyone else, but that’s where my passion and their passion meet. I do this because I love doing it. I love touring and I love playing live, performing with like-minded people in front of like-minded audiences, and being there in the moment together when all of our passions collide.”
And if, in the process, Geoff Tate can tell a story that turns people on end and keeps them talking long after the music has stopped playing? That’s not just icing on the cake, that’s what it’s all about…
That is Operation: Mindcrime.
And come this September, fans will have The Key.
With music videos currently in production and a first single that’s expected to be released by the end of this month, further mind expansion is yet to come.
OPERATION: MINDCRIME’S THE KEY TRACKLISTING:
Choices
Burn
Re-Inventing The Future
Ready To Fly
Discussions In A Smoke Filled Room
Life or Death?
The Stranger
Hearing Voice
On Queue
An Ambush Of Sadness
Kicking In The Door
The Fall
SNIPPETS OF “BURN,” “RE-INVENTING THE FUTURE,” “LIFE OR DEATH?” AND “THE FALL” CAN BE HEARD AT: https://youtu.be/zOEL6lc1Xsl
PRE-ORDER LINKS (GLOBAL) FOR OPERATION: MINDCRIME’S DEBUT ALBUM, THE KEY, ON AMAZON:
Frontiers Music srl is extremely pleased to announce the upcoming release of OPERATION: MINDCRIME debut album “The Key” on September 18th. To hear a taste of four songs from the album, check out the trailer below. The first full song from the album will be released in the coming weeks!
Legendary heavy metal outfit Queensrÿche, featuring Eddie Jackson, Todd LaTorre, Parker Lundgren, Scott Rockenfield and Michael Wilton, have recently started writing new material for a new album. According to Century Media, the new album scheduled for release in early summer 2015.
“The Queensrÿche internal dynamic has certainly changed in terms of musicianship. It’s more of a cohesive team and the chemistry we have now is making what we can do creatively limitless. For Queensrÿche, it was always about being able to write together as a band. We didn’t have that for a long time but now that it’s back, we feel extremely liberated,” states founding guitarist Michael Wilton. “We’ve already begun the writing process for the next album and have a few songs demoed that we feel really good about. We’re taking the songs in the classic Queensrÿche direction but maybe a little more progressive and heavier at times. The thing is, you never know what you really have until it’s complete. We can’t wait for the final outcome. Writing with such a dynamic group of individuals has been nothing short of amazing.” Queensrÿche recently reached a settlement in their dispute over the ownership of the Queensrÿche name and brand. Century Media is pleased to announce that Eddie Jackson, Scott Rockenfield and Michael Wilton have successfully agreed to purchase Geoff Tate’s portion of the Queensrÿche name. The band will buy out their former lead singer’s share of the Queensrÿche corporation while allowing him the ability to be the only one to perform Operation: Mindcrime and Operation: Mindcrime II in their entirety. He will no longer have use of the TriRyche logo or any other album images aside from the Mindcrime releases. He can only refer to himself as the “Original Lead Singer of Queensrÿche or “Formerly of Queensrÿche” for a period of two years and that text must be at least 50% smaller than his name in all materials. After this two year period passes, he can only refer to himself as Geoff Tate with no mention of Queensrÿche at all. Geoff Tate will be able to finish any confirmed dates billed for his Queensrÿche lineup scheduled to terminate on August 31st, 2014. As of September 1st, there will be only one Queensrÿche entity and that will consist of Eddie Jackson, Todd LaTorre, Parker Lundgren, Scott Rockenfield and Michael Wilton. This lineup will continue to perform selections from their entire musical catalog including songs from Operation: Mindcrime. The band will be able to use all TriRyche logos and previous album artwork for any purposes as needed by the corporation.
Back in May 2013, vocalist GEOFF TATE (QUEENSRŸCHE) spoke with William Clark at Metal Enthusiast Magazine for what turned out to be a rather evasive interview on Tate’s side (found here). In a review of Tate’s recent Queensrÿche show in Orlando, Clark gives the vocalist his due but claims that Tate attacked him intentionally from the stage.
An excerpt from the review is available below:
“Throughout the past year and a half, or perhaps even more recently due to the upcoming outcome of the Queensrÿche court trial, the members of this lineup have tightened up their act, stayed truer to the original recordings and measured up to the high expectations which come along with taking an iconic album to the stage in its entirety.
Even original lead vocalist Geoff Tate, who has similarly been faced with blinding heat for his live performances, made what appeared to be a conscious effort to match the same high notes he originally emitted back in 1988 with varying success. Occasionally there were some clear highlights from Tate vocally throughout the concert, including a ranging scream during ‘The Needle Lies’, which was met with a surprised reaction from the audience.
Whether this surge of newly found passion can be attributed to vocal lessons, the forthcoming court verdict or the fact that Tate was celebrating his 55th birthday that night, it made a difference from the perspective of an audience member.
The enhanced performances, as well as the gape-eyed stardom which comes along with witnessing a personal longtime favorite album performed live, all of these are qualities which would in most cases add up to an unforgettable Queensrÿche show. And these same features, at least in the eyes of this reviewer, were immediately diminished to lackluster status following an out lash from the band’s front man during ‘Speak’.
Geoff Tate made an intentional move to walk over to the same side of the stage where this photographer was standing during the third full length song of the set, bend down and shove his hand at my camera, with enough force to strike me in the head and knock me back two steps. This is an attack which feels retaliatory following my interview with Tate eight months ago, especially considering I was the only authorized photographer at the event.
Following the assault, it was everything I could do to show restraint and remain professional. However, it made listening to Tate’s speech on ‘refinding his religion’ towards the end of the concert sickening, especially from the standpoint of a dedicated fan. The fact that Geoff Tate would treat not only a fan but a member of the press in such a manner is disturbing.”
The dispute over ownership of theQUEENSRYCHE name could be over, former vocalist Geoff Tate has suggested.
Two versions of the band have been in existence since mid-2012 after an interim court decision gave Tate the right to lead his own line-up, while the bandmates who fired him had clearance to continue with new frontman Todd La Torre.
Since then both outfits have released an album and been on tour, with evidence that some fans have been confused over which band they were spending money on. Event promoters have used photos of the wrong band on advertising material on a number of occasions.
A final court hearing was due later this month, in which it would be decided which party could continue to use the name, and how much compensation they’d pay the other party.
Asked about whether the dispute will go back for court, Tate tells 98.7 The Gater: “I hope it doesn’t. We’re in settlement talks right now. I’m kind of hoping it will all be settled by the end of the month.”
He refuses to be drawn on how he thinks it will end but says: “Either way it’s in my favour. I’m just waiting for the paperwork to dry.”
Original line-up drummer Scott Rockenfield recently said: “Negotiations are ongoing – there’s still time for anything to happen. We feel good and look at it as light at the end of the tunnel. The right decision will be made in time.”
