It's been a while since I've started a review with a rant about the venue, but I must mention the ridiculous bar policy at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall (bearing in mind that ultimately, we're talking about a heavy metal show here). The only time you could buy a drink was before the show, and during the intermission. The rest of the time, around 20 bar staff stood at the bar twiddling their thumbs. OK this was billed as a QUEENSRŸCHE theatrical extravaganza, but is hardly fucking Les Misérables.

Rant done and dusted…on to the show. As with the 'Mindcrime at the Moore' DVD, tonight was all about QUEENSRŸCHE performing both the 'Operation: Mindcrime' and 'Operation: Mindcrime II' albums in their entirety, with actors on stage to act out the story as a theatrical showpiece. If you enjoyed the DVD, then you would have enjoyed the show as the QUEENSRŸCHE performance was both musically good, and even the acting was worthy of a thumbs up, if not a Oscar!

Geoff Tate's awesome vocals are still holding up, and he managed to sing very well, despite having to also concentrate on his acting role. As usual, the twin guitar team of Michael Wilton and Mike Stone were terrific, and Eddie Jackson (bass) and Scott Rockenfield (drums) were rock solid on the rhythm section. However, as good as the performance was, the whole idea of a heavy metal threatrical production was a little too much for me. My main criticism would be that the show lacked any personality, and at times I was thinking you may as well save yourself some money and stay at home to watch the DVD. For me, the most enjoyable part of the night was when the band returned to the stage for a 3 song encore, and Geoff Tate finally spoke to the audience. This was more like a live rock concert is supposed to be!

If you've never seen QUEENSRŸCHE perform the magnificent 'Operation: Mindcrime' live, then this tour is one you simply must attend – and if you have seen it before, then you know how good it is. Credit to the band for putting this together, they did a hell of a great job, but I'll be hoping the next time I see QUEENSRŸCHE, we'll have Geoff Tate holding a microphone, and singing his balls off to a more varied setlist from their entire career.

Setlist: I Remember Now / Anarchy-X / Revolution Calling / Operation: Mindcrime / Speak / Spreading the Disease / The Mission / Suite Sister Mary / The Needle Lies /Electric Requiem / Breaking the Silence / I Don't Believe in Love / Waiting for 22 / My Empty Room / Eyes of a Stranger / (Intermission) Freiheit Overture / Convict / I'm American / One Foot In Hell / Hostage / The Hands / Speed of Light / Signs Say Go / Re-Arrange You / The Chase / Murderer? / Circles / If I Could Change It All / An Intentional Confrontation / A Junkie's Blues / Fear City Slide / All the Promises / (Encore) Jet City Woman / Empire / Silent Lucidity

Rating: 4.0/5.0

Review by James Allman

Photography by Alexander Shaw