The End of an Era, the final peace of the Trilogy, Operation Mindcrime.
Absolutely brilliant, that is my take on the latest from Geoff Tate. I have always been a fan of the Geoff Tate Queensryche era, so it is no surprise that I had the album running at 12:01 am, ready to hear the final album in the trilogy. As a fan, I am also guarded by the reason this music means so much to me. While the listening experience is incredible, the real magic lies in the narrative shift. Unlike the original Operation: Mindcrime, which follows Nikki’s journey, Geoff Tate intentionally wrote this from Dr. X’s perspective.
It’s a clever, creative pivot that peels back the curtain on the doctor’s psyche, revealing the motivations behind his character. This performance is a masterclass in atmosphere. Geoff Tate’s vocals are, quite simply, incredible—he still commands the vocal stage with a power and precision that few can match.
However, the real surprise is Clodagh McCarthy as Mary’s voice. While she avoids the gritty, throaty delivery found in the original recordings, her interpretation offers something arguably more profound: a more mature Mary. Her performance is beautifully haunting, acting as a sonic bridge that pulls you back through time, stirring up memories you didn’t even realize you’d forgotten.
Once you listen again with this perspective or for the first time, tell me what you think????