In a recent interview with Metalhead Marv from This Day In Metal, former QUEENSRŸCHE singer Geoff Tate was asked about the chances of reuniting with his old band.
“I don’t think it’s likely, really, at this point,” he responded (as transcribed by Blabbermouth). “I mean, there’s been several offers on the table, getting the band back together. And nothing has inspired anybody to get in the same room or even pick up the phone and talk. So, I think it’s pretty unlikely. In fact, there’s not really a band anymore. [Laughs] With [drummer Scott] Rockenfield gone, it’s just Eddie [Jackson, bass] and Michael [Wilton, guitar] playing, using the name QUEENSRŸCHE, of course, which is very valuable. And it’s not really a ‘band band’ as we know it. So, yeah, I don’t really think it’s likely.”
“I would say that I’m very willing to talk about it,” he added. “That’s the first step. You’ve gotta actually pick up the phone [laughs] and answer the phone call. [Laughs]”
In a recent interview with Rock Of Nations With Dave Kinchen And Shane McEachern, Tate announced that he’s working on the third and final installment of the band’s iconic Operation: Mindcrime album series.
Released in 1988, QUEENSRŸCHE’s Operation: Mindcrime catapulted the band to new heights. This groundbreaking concept album follows the harrowing journey of Nikki, a drug addict ensnared by a sinister cult led by Dr. X. With its powerful narrative and groundbreaking music, Operation: Mindcrime is considered a masterpiece of progressive metal and remains relevant today.
In contrast, the 2006 follow-up, Operation: Mindcrime II, was met with mixed reviews. While it offered a decent musical experience, many fans and critics felt it was an unnecessary addition to the original masterpiece, detracting from its impact.
Discussing the musical direction of his upcoming solo work, Geoff said: “I would say it has more of an early QUEENSRŸCHE feel. [The new songs are] super heavy, and some of ’em are incredibly technical. They’re like algebra. [Laughs] You need a calculator when you’re listening to the song. [Laughs] And, of course, some of them are very emotional. It’s the last chapter in the Mindcrime series. So it’s following the exploits of Dr. X and Nikki and Sister Mary, and picks up at a particular point in their story and kind of does the microscope of what is happening at that particular time with them. And I am just in love with it. I am so happy with everything so far, and I can’t wait for people to hear it.”
When asked if Operation: Mindcrime III will once again feature “some of those political interplays” in its lyrical themes, Tate responded: “Oh, I think so. Yeah, I think that people will be able to detect little bits of what’s happening around them. And it’s an interesting time right now — very interesting. Especially next week [after the 2024 U.S. presidential election], it’s gonna be really interesting [laughs] what happens. So, we’ll see.”
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