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Tyger's Den of Iniquity QUEENSRYCHE Concert Review Jan. 29, 2005 – House of Blues, Chicago Queensryche – Operation Mindcrime revisited An unbelievably awesome show! Unfortunate for me, I was recovering from a back injury, and thus not able to really “get into” the show as much as I would have liked. But despite the crowds, everyone was very nice, save for one, when I needed to take a periodic breather in the back hall. And, thanks to my injury, we set up the dinner plan with HOB so we would have somewhere to sit. Let me tell you, it is way too cool to be able to go up to the security guys and have them give you special passage because you are “on the list”! The seats were so close; I was wishing I had a camera phone…I would have gotten terrific shots. (Especially when Whip looked my way a couple of times! *swoon*) First Set Highlights:  They started off with a “greatest hits” set, leading into the show with “The Whisper”. Oh, it still brings me tingles…Whip cutting into the guitar and Geoff striding out on stage…”cries from the aisles, tolling of the judgment bell…” His voice was absolutely on.  I can’t decide if I loved that more or the opening to Art of Live tour with “Walk in the Shadows”.  Anyway, the set was short, but they crammed quite a few good ones in there, including “Last Time in Paris” and “Take Hold of the Flame”. (They can play anything off of The Warning or Rage For Order and I’ll be happy.) It also happened to be Eddie’s birthday and the audience sang for him while a cake was brought out from backstage. Eddie cordially gave everyone a double-bird for reminding him how old he was and said his wish was for “everyone to blow him”. Geoff announced that he just might get that wish, and Eddie went body surfing on the crowd, while the rest of the band just laughed. Eddie’s hat did get returned after a little taunting and on the show went. OMC Set Highlights:  What can I say about the Mindcrime set? I never got to see OMC in its heyday and hadn’t even watched the video, so it was all fresh to me. The new actors played right in time with Geoff and Pamela (Sister Mary). I got so into the show, I was emotionally moved (teary-eyed and all) in a few parts: Geoff and Pamela’s duets, “The Mission” and “Suite Sister Mary”, the emotional pleading “don’t leave me” after Mary is discovered dead, the despondent “My Empty Room”, and Geoff’s straightjacket finale “Eyes of a Stranger”. (And when he had trouble getting his jacket off his muscular arms—oh yes, he has been working out—just a tidbit for you ladies! Mmm!) I can hardly describe the show due to being so mesmerized with it. If I was feeling better and had the money, heck, I would’ve gone to all three shows! If you’ve never seen OMC, you may have missed your chance, but there’s still the DVD. Highly recommended watching, though I’m sure it doesn’t compare with live. And finally, at the close of the show, they played (over the speakers, not live) previews to the new stuff on OMC II !! I am eagerly awaiting the release!!!! Back to QR Main   page created with Webpage Designer (NS)