I remember now, I remember how it started. . . The year was 1983 and a new, powerful presence was about to emerge on a still youthful Metal scene as an answer of sorts to the mammoth European uprising that had begun only a few years before. QUEENSRYCHE embodied the strongest points of the Priests and Maidens of the time, the two ranking officials in the Heavy Metal crusade, and took it to new levels of progression.

Times change, and so too did the once mighty QUEENSRYCHE. Today bands like fellow Seattle area favorites "Nevermore" pick up where they left off - loved by many, respected by the best, and for all intents and purposes models for the latest generation of Heavy music listeners. Meanwhile, for QR, well, the journey's become stalled for much of the past decade. The band, with their best work well behind them, still exist and still serve a purpose. But, expectations were dulled by lackluster performances and apparent lost desire. Their hunger for power appeared deadened by the latest resources and resurgence in new talent and have led many to ponder "What if?" and "Why?" for a band that's lost the ability to make an impact.

Thus, an album like "Operation Mindcrime," from which this latest re-issue is obviously derived, in a Live version of the complete "Mindcrime" record from '88. That masterpiece, arguably their best record, and perhaps among the top three or four of all time, now has a moment in time today, giving fans have something to get excited about again. Originally released back in '91, "Live Crime" the tour was a sight and sound to behold as a visually stunning, conceptual performance that followed the dark shadow of political cover ups, greed, scandal and mental anguish. The tour was a superb and chilling follow up that ranked among the elite of an art many have tried with few successes.

As a one time collector's item, the re-issue of this decade old treasure finds the band in peak form, performing all of these instant classics: "Revolution Calling," "Speak," "The Needle Lies," "Eyes Of A Stranger," plus several others, with all of the expected breaks and narrative effects to complete the story you couldn't help but feel involved in somehow.

There's an added bonus as well in two startling discoveries. The first is alive versions of "The Lady Wore Black," the beloved and bleak ballad that goes all the way back to their original EP, and "Roads To Madness," the long forgotten epic closer to '84s "The Warning," their first full length album. Both songs were recorded live around the time of the original release of "Live Crime" and complete the set. Each sounds incredible, and, in most cases, haven't been heard in years. They probably aren't likely to be drawn from again anytime soon either.

As I listen, I find it hard to believe this is one and the same band that simply didn't have it during the lackluster mid-to-late nineties phase leading up to their year 2000 "Greatest Hits." While a solid new offering is sorely needed, the "Greatest Hits" and this new re-issue both capitalize on the strong points and will reintroduce fans to the historical significance of the once great QUEENSRYCHE. Whether they can recapture that magic in the years to come remains to be seen, but for now, live the "Mindcrime" over again with this incredible live set and the DVD accompaniment to follow soon.