Rating 14%

reviewed by Charlie O'

18 years ago, the original Operation:Mindcrime defined a genre. Blending hard metal riffs, with prog sensibilities, layered over with a dense coating of the dramatic, it was one of the albums of the 80's. I still play it now and again, and it still sounds fresh, and the message still rings true.

So for 18 years fans have been baying for a follow up album, while putting up with crap like Silent Lucidity and its ilk.

And here it is. This'll shut the fans up for sure.

The original album had hooks a-plenty, musical twists and turns, intelligent lyrics, great vocals, and a masterpiece in Suite Sister Mary. This has jack! Not one of the tunes is in any way memorable, or even intelligent. Ronnie James Dio replaces the original Dr X actor even though he's still alive. The magnificent Pamela Moore replays her Sister Mary role, even though the character died, yet still can't salvage this.

Goes to show that you can't polish a turd.

And I don't reckon fans will spend even 18 seconds demanding Operation:Mindcrime III.