Operation: Mindcrime (band)

Operation: Mindcrime
Operation: Mindcrime in 2016.
Background information
Genres	Progressive metal alternative metal
Years active	2014–present
Associated acts	Queensrÿche
Website	operationmindcrime.com
Members	Geoff Tate Kelly Gray John Moyer Simon Wright Randy Gane Brian Tichy Tim Fernley Scott Moughton

Operation: Mindcrime is a progressive metal band that is fronted by the former lead singer of Queensrÿche, Geoff Tate. Various musicians have contributed to the band, both live and in studio and it features members such as John Moyer (also known for being in Disturbed) and Simon Wright (also known for his work with AC/DC and Ronnie James Dio). The group signed a worldwide deal in December 2014 with Frontiers Music Srl for its coming releases. Their debut album, The Key, which is part one of a trilogy, was released on September 18, 2015. The second, Resurrection was released on September 23, 2016.

Tate was fired from Queensrÿche in 2012, as his relationship with the rest of the band had deteriorated. The acrimonious split caused a considerable amount of discord among fans and major lawsuits began. Tate filed suit for wrongful termination while the band counter-sued citing what it alleged as violent behavior by Tate. With an ongoing court case over the rights to use the name 'Queensrÿche' going on, Tate announced his own line-up under the name, leading to two bands using the name while actively touring at the same time. Tate's group released the album Frequency Unknown, produced and mixed by Jason Slater, on April 23, 2013 in the U.S. Although selling well, the release picked up mixed reviews from music critics and somewhat of a fan backlash.

Following a settlement, Tate was granted the exclusive performance rights to the band's concept albums Operation: Mindcrime (1988), and Operation: Mindcrime II (2006). Those two releases garnered both critical praise and widespread commercial success for the group, with Tate then serving as its frontman. In return, musicians Michael Wilton, Scott Rockenfield, Todd La Torre, and Eddie Jackson retained all rights to the 'Queensrÿche' brand.