March 28th, 2017 - Modus Hoperandi: Mindcrime

Good evening!  The Meista here tonight pairing Queensrÿche's "Operation: Mindcrime" with a Modus Hoperandi India Pale Ale from Ska Brewing Company!


Album Info:

• Artist: Queensrÿche
• Title: "Operation: Mindcrime"
• Recorded: 1987 through 1988 at Kajem/Victory Studios in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania and Le Studio in Morin Heights, Quebec, Canada
• Release date: May 3rd, 1988 (3rd studio album by Queensrÿche)
• Record company: EMI Manhattan Records
• Production: Peter Collins
• Album cover art: Robert Andrew
• Personnel: Chris DeGarmo (lead and rhythm guitar, six and twelve string acoustic guitars, lap steel guitar, and guitar synthesizer), Eddie Jackson (bass), Scott Rockenfield (drums, percussion, and keyboards on track 10), Geoff Tate (lead vocals, keyboards, whistles, and blurbs), and Michael Wilton (rhythm and lead guitar, and twelve-string acoustic guitar)
• Musical style: Progressive metal, heavy metal
• Sound: Musically ambitious, compelling, powerful, and focused, the sound on "Operation: Mindcrime" is definitive Queensrÿche!
• Major themes: "Operation: Mindcrime" is a rock opera concept album about a recovering drug addict who is disillusioned with the corruption of society and is duped by a revolutionary group to assassinate political leaders.  Themes on the album include isolation, disillusionment, corruption, manipulation, drug addiction, murder, love, loss, heartbreak, rebellion, revolution, etc.
• Tracks:   

1. "I Remember Now"
2. "Anarchy-X"
3. "Revolution Calling"
4. "Operation: Mindcrime"
5. "Speak"
6. "Spreading The Disease"
7. "The Mission"
8. "Suite Sister Mary"
9. "The Needle Lies"
10. "Electric Requiem"
11. "Breaking The Silence"
12. "I Don't Believe In Love"
13. "Waiting For 22"
14. "My Empty Room"
15. "Eyes Of A Stranger"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Ska Brewing Company (Durango, Colorado)
• Website: http://skabrewing.com/
• Brew: Modus Hoperandi
• Style: India Pale Ale (IPA)
• Serving: 12 ounce can
• ABV: 6.8%
• IBUs: 88
• Pour: It pours a hazy, deep orange-amber with frothy, white, 1-finger head with good retention and lots of intricate, layered lacing.
• Nose: The nose is a blend of strong citrus and pine aromas.  As their website states, it "will remind you of the time you went on a vision quest and woke up in a pine-grove full of grapefruit trees"!  There are notes of grapefruit rind, tangerine, lemon zest, pine resin, toasted biscuit, and light caramel.
• Taste: The taste is bitter and hoppy with lots of citrus pith and pine flavors.  There are notes of juicy pink grapefruit, tangerine, bitter herbs, black tea, toasty malt, and toffee.
• Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied and well carbonated, the mouthfeel is crisp, yet sticky and oily with a bitter, dry, and slightly boozy finish.

Overall pairing: The punchy and complex flavors and aromas of Ska's lovely Modus Hoperandi is perfect for the brilliant musical intensity of Queensrÿche's masterpiece, "Operation: Mindcrime"!  I highly recommend both!!

Cheers!!  Rock on!!