Queensrÿche: Mindcrime at the Moore Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.5

Queensrÿche: Mindcrime at the Moore Blu-ray Movie Review

If you followed closely the rock scene during the 80s then you probably remember very well that at the time there were no other bands doing what Seattle-based Queensrÿche were doing. This is not to say that there were no other progressive rock bands making great music – Rush were rocking hard, Marillion were in top form, and Asia put out some excellent albums – but none of them sounded as heavy as Queensrÿche. These guys were very much in a territory reserved for pure heavy metal bands.

Together with Fates Warning and Dream Theater, Queensrÿche essentially legitimized progressive metal. After Kerrang! Magazine published their review for Operation: Mindcrime, the rock scene simply changed - literally overnight the radio stations started playing a lot more experimental albums (this is how I first heard about Fates Warning) and the big music companies started paying attention. By the early 90s there were a lot of very exciting bands producing some incredibly original albums. In Europe, for example, where a ton of subgenres had blossomed (death metal, black metal, power metal), Dark Wave and gothic metal emerged from what I believe was started by Queensrÿche (check out Tiamat’s Wildhoney, Moonspell’s Irreligious, Therion’s Vovin, Paradise Lost’s Draconian Times, My Dying Bride’s The Angel and the Dark River, etc).

Mindcrime at the Moore is a fascinating concept show that was filmed over three nights (October 13, 14, & 15) in Queensrÿche’s hometown of Seattle in 2006. It recreates the story of Nikki, a political revolutionary, a junkie whose life is slowly spinning out of control, and an angry assassin with a broken heart. Nikki is searching for his true identity while trying to avenge the death of the former prostitute turned nun Sister Mary (Pamela Moore) and confronting the mysterious Dr. X (the late Ronnie James Dio).

The show is outstanding. In addition to the fantastic 80s music, there are some surprisingly bold statements about the war in Iraq, the government, and life in America. This isn’t to say that Mindcrime at the Moore is a political show, but at the end of Nikki’s story you will know exactly how Queensrÿche feel about the world we live in.

The band sounds phenomenal. Geoff Tate’s singing is remarkably intense and precise ("I Don’t Believe in Love" for instance sounds shockingly good) while Mike Stone (who became a permanent member of the the band in 2005) and Michael Wilton’s solos are first-class. Bassist Eddie Jackson and drummer Scott Rockenfield also provide excellent support throughout the entire show.

Mindcrime at the Moore is expertly staged, filmed and produced. The music and visuals are flawlessly integrated into what is easily one of the most original rock shows ever done. More importantly, however, Queensrÿche sound just as good as they did back in the 80s.

Note: Mindcrime at the Moore was directed by Bruce Green, produced by Ethan Mesmer, and executive produced by Kenny Nemes and Karen Ahmed. The music was mixed by Jason Slater.

Speak!

Queensrÿche: Mindcrime at the Moore Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080i "live" transfer, Queensrÿche: Mindcrime at the Moore arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Eagle Rock Entertainment.

This is an expertly produced show that looks great in high-definition. Our screencaptures, however, are somewhat misleading because portions of the filmed footage that is projected on the large screen behind the band often overlap with the footage from the actual show, which is why it looks like there are some shadow and contrast issues. But there are none, and detail and clarity are indeed excellent throughout the entire show. Furthermore, during normal playback I was never able to spot any motion-judder (which occasionally pops up on some of these music releases). Colors also look rich, well saturated and natural. Finally, I did not see any compression issues or other purely transfer-related anomalies to report in this review. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray disc. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your PS3 or SA regardless of your geographical location).

Queensrÿche: Mindcrime at the Moore Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are three audio tracks on this Blu-ray disc: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, LPCM 2.0. and Dolby Digital 5.1. For the record, I opted for the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track and later on did a few random comparisons with the other two tracks for the purpose of this review.

I have never been to the Moore Theatre in Seattle, but from what I could tell, it looks like a great venue. It is the right size to stage a concept rock show and it has great acoustics. In other words, I am not surprised that Queensrÿche chose to play there.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is excellent. Geoff Tate's singing is always crisp and clear while the guitar solos are never overwhelming. The duets are also handled very well - balance is excellent and again the guitars and drums never stick out. The acoustic solos also sound rich and well rounded (listen to the opening of "The Mission"). The crowd is often heard cheering but it is never distracting. Lastly, there are absolutely no echo effects whatsoever.

The LPCM 2.0 track has a decent dynamic amplitude, but some of the sound effects are not as impressive on it. They sound flat and actually rather distant (listen to the helicopter in the beginning of "Breaking the Silence"). The Dolby Digital 5.1 track is very weak.

Queensrÿche: Mindcrime at the Moore Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Tour Documentary - footage from before and after the show with comments from plenty of excited fans of Queensryche, the practice sessions, and additional footage with Ronnie James Dio, bassist Rudi Sarzo, the Seahawks Drum Line, and even adult start Julia Ann. In English, with optional English, Spanish, and French subtitles. (24 min, 480/60i).

• "The Chase" - performed with the late Ronnie James Dio. (4 min, 480/60i).

• Rock & Ride Charity Motorcycle Ride - raw footage from the event (New York City, September 20, 2006). In English, not subtitled. (3 min, 480/60i).

Queensrÿche: Mindcrime at the Moore Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Eagle Rock Entertainment have become for music aficionados what Criterion is for classic film aficionados - a company you could always trust to deliver top-quality product. The latest addition to the their impressive catalog is a terrific concept show staged by arguably one of the best progressive metal bands ever - Queensrÿche. This is one of the year's best music releases, folks. Don't miss it. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.