10 Greatest Ever Rock Concept Albums

Centred in the turbulent politics of the Reagan administration, Operation: Mindcrime tells the story of Nikki, a politically frustrated heroin addict. Recruited into a secret organisation by the sinister Dr. X, Nikki becomes a brainwashed assassin-for-hire, carrying out killings of various political figures in order to aid Dr. X in furthering his own political agenda. Once Nikki meets former-prostitute-turned-nun Sister Mary, he begins to question the morality of his actions, only serving to lead him further into his downward spiral.

The album opens with "I Remember Now", a dialogue/sound effect filled interlude that immerses the listener into the narrative before the first track begins. "Revolution Calling", the first proper song of the album, is instantly captivating with crowd chant choruses and exceptional guitar work. The tracks that follow, "Operation: Mindcrime", "Speak" and "Spreading the Disease", take the album further and further down a heavier route, both musically and story-wise, that reflects the tragic and sombre nature of the main narrative. Halfway through the album, the ten-minute "Suite Sister Mary" acts as an important turning point within Nikki's story, and reaches operatic levels of emotion and grandeur. Concluding the album is the power ballad "Eyes of a Stranger", a fan favourite that serves to conclude Operation: Mindcrime on a darker, bleak note, and to this day is still the band's most played song throughout their thirty years of touring.

From start to finish, the album loses none of the energetic momentum that Queensrÿche are known for. With practically no pauses between tracks, listeners are launched into a fast-paced metal album that never lets up with frantic energy. Guitarists Chris DeGarmo and Michael Wilton provide some stellar guitar melodies and solos, assisted by the creative bass work of Eddie Jackson and the tremendous drum playing of Scott Rockenfield. Geoff Tate's screeching vocals really sell the emotion of the lyrics, as the narrative is made all the more immersive by Tate and the snippets of dialogue scattered between tracks. Operation: Mindcrime is truly a must-listen for any fans of metal.