OPERATION: MINDCRIME – The Key

After a well-publicized battle with his former Queensrÿche-mates and sour grapes aplenty, Geoff Tate “moved on” to form Operation: Mindcrime with long-time chum Kelly Gray and several other rather well-known/respected musicians. The debut thematic album (1^st of 3) is entitled The Key, although you might be hard-pressed (without any hints) to truly figure out what the storyline really is.

The Key is pure 21^st Century Tate, which sadly no longer qualifies as Progressive Metal or even Hard Rock. Perhaps good for background music at a Long Island Iced Tea party, but The Key’s a disappointing “ho-hum” any other time.