Photos by Andy Argyrakis

Between Geoff Tate and and the band who bears the name, there are two ways to encounter Queensrÿche at the moment, yet there’s arguably no better way to experience everyone’s heavy metal meets progressive innovations than by the man who originally sung and co-wrote the songs throughout a more than 20 million album-selling streak.

Though the Grammy-nominee is known for mounting a variety of specifically-themed tours around the globe ever since going solo, he’s in the process of making history with the closing chapter of the increasingly iconic rock opera “Operation: Mindcrime.”

Despite initially being released in 1988, there was nothing remotely dated about the conceptual story or aggressive sounds, which as promised, were performed in their entirely for the last time before a standing room only and stunningly restored Des Plaines Theatre.

According to the artist’s website, “its story follows Nikki, a drug addict who becomes disillusioned with the corrupt society of his time and reluctantly becomes involved with a revolutionary group as an assassin of political leaders.”

In other words, the premise was just as ambitious as the soundtrack, and for an hour or so, fans from the area and several surrounding regions could find out for themselves thanks to theatrical versions of “Revolution Calling,” “Spreading The Disease,” “The Needle Lies” and “Breaking The Silence.”

On the off chance anyone was unaware of the project as a whole, singles such as “I Don’t Believe In Love” and “Eyes Of A Stranger” were at least likely to be familiar, especially considering they more or less put Queensrÿche on the mainstream map.

In fact, a second set touched on the rest of the radio regulars, including the patriotic “I’m American,” the towering “Jet City Woman,” the thought-provoking “Empire” and the sublime “Silent Lucidity.”

Tate even dipped back before “Operation: Mindcrime” to tear into “Take Hold Of The Flame” and “Queen Of The Reich,” maintaining the practically perfect pitch of four decades ago and hinting that following this season of finality, he’ll still be able to manage a lengthy shelf-life of shows.

For additional information on Geoff Tate, visit GeoffTate.com.

Upcoming shows at the Des Plaines Theatre include Johnny Rogers (Sept. 7); Hinder (Sept. 11); Big Suit: All-Star Tribute To Talking Heads (Sept. 12); Head East and Terry Luttrell’s REO Classics Band (Sept. 13); Blues Beatles (Sept. 14); Deacon Blues (Sept. 19); Loverboy (Sept. 20); Michael Schenker (Sept. 25-26); The Orchestra (Sept. 27); Bridget & Julia (Sept. 30); Cascada (Oct. 2); Sheena Easton and Tiffany (Oct. 3); Fleatwood Mac and Meet Loaf (Oct. 4); The Lennon Project (Oct. 9); Finger Eleven (Oct. 10); Nick Carter (Oct. 11); Chazz Palminteri (Oct. 12); Mike Marino (Oct. 16); The Wanted 2.0 (Oct. 17); The Vampire Circus (Oct. 18); The Glenn Miller Orchestra (Oct. 19); The Allman Betts Band (Oct. 19); “Stars For Sara” (Oct. 21); Leon Etienne (Oct. 24); One Dark Night… (Oct. 25); Pasquale Esposito (Oct. 26); Thunderstruck (Oct. 29); “A Dance With Death” (Oct. 30) and Yes (Oct. 31). For additional details, visit DesPlainesTheatre.com.

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