QUEENSRŸCHE's new Operation: Mindcrime II album was the top seller by international acts across Japan on March 28th, landing the album at #1 on the International Daily Album Chart on it's shipping date in that country.

As previously reported, Queensrÿche frontman Geoff Tate will be speaking with KNAC.com tonight (March 30th) at 8:15pm (PST). Disc Jockey Mike Vogel will chat with Tate about all things Queensrÿche, including the process of bringing Operation: Mindcrime II to life, and his next solo album. Be sure to tune in early and log into the KNAC.com chatroom to issue any questions you'd like Mike Vogel to ask.

In conjunction with the April 4th release of Operation: Mindcrime II, the long awaited sequel to their 1988 magnum opus, Queensrÿche has planned a full summer/fall tour for 2006. The tour, presented by VH1 Classic, will feature a full stage show, including surround sound, new video imagery and actors playing out both parts of the Operation: Mindcrime saga. Tickets for all tour dates go on sale April 1st.

Operation:Mindcrime II contains a 15-song story and is performed by the Seattle-based quintet—singer and chief songwriter Geoff Tate; guitarists Michael Wilton and Mike Stone; bassist Eddie Jackson, and drummer Scott Rockenfield.

"Operation: Mindcrime II is about revenge and what it does to people -- their emotions and the situations they find themselves in," says Tate, who conceived the sequel's direction last year while working on a screenplay based on the original album.

"The character of Nikki has now been in prison for 18 years. I thought, 'What would I do?' I'd be analyzing every move I ever made, especially the wrong ones. I'd want to get the guy who put me there. Nikki's revenge is about getting out, getting him and getting even."

'I’m American', the first single from Operation: Mindcrime II, is exploding at radio and is available now at iTunes. The video for 'I’m American' debuted exclusively at Yahoo! Music on March 16th.

Also featured on the tour will be a unique charity auction. Erik Buell, of Buell Motorcycles, has offered to donate two custom Queensrÿche motorcycles for Geoff Tate and Mike Stone to ride throughout the tour. They will be inviting others to come out and ride with them and at the end of the tour, both motorcycles will be auctioned off for VH1’s Save The Music Foundation.

For all the latest news, including updates on Queensrÿche's summer/fall headlining tour, visit: www.queensryche.com and www.rhino.com

Current summer/fall Queensrÿche tour dates include:

August

25 - Lake Buena Vista, FL at House of Blues
26 - Lake Buena Vista, FL at House of Blues
27 - Fort Myers, Florida at Barbara B Mann
29 - Atlanta, GA at Tabernacle
30 - Mobile, AL at Saenger Theater
31 - Clearwater, FL at Ruth Eckerd Hall

September

1 - Pompano Beach, FL at Pompano Amphitheater
2 - Jacksonville, FL at Florida Theater
3 - Myrtle Beach, SC at House Of Blues
6 - Kansas City, MO at Uptown Theater
7 - St. Louis, MO at Pageant
8 - Madison, WI at Orpheum Theater
9 - Minneapolis, MN at Myth
11 - Milwaukee, WI at Potawatomi Casino
12 - Milwaukee, WI at Potawatomi Casino
14 - Chicago, IL at House Of Blues
15 - Chicago, IL at House of Blues
16 - Chicago, IL at House of Blues
17 - Mt. Clemens, MI at Emerald Theater
19 - Verona, NY at Turning Stone Casino
21 - New York, NY at Nokia Live
22 - New York, NY at Nokia Live
23 - Atlantic City, NJ at House Of Blues
25 - San Antonio, TX at Majestic Theater
26 - Houston, TX at Verizon Theater
27 - Dallas, TX at Nokia Live
29 - Denver, CO at Fillmore Auditorium
30 - Salt Lake City, UT at The Depot

October

1 - Albuquerque, NM at Kiva Auditoruim
3 - Phoenix, AZ at Dodge Theatre
4 - San Diego, CA at Humphrey's
5 - Los Angeles, CA at Gibson Amthitheatre
6 - Las Vegas, NV at House Of Blues
7 - Temecula, CA at Pechanga Resort
8 - Kelseyville, CA at Konocti
10 - Anaheim, CA at House Of Blues
11 - San Francisco, CA at Warfield
12 - Portland, OR at Roseland
13 - Seattle, WA at Moore Theater
14 - Seattle, WA at Moore Theater
17 - Reno, NV at Reno Hilton Theater
18 - Boise, ID at The Big Easy
19 - Spokane, WA at Big Easy Concert House
20 - Missoula, MT at TBA
21 - Billings, MT at TBA

Rhino Records (www.rhino.com) are streaming Operation: Mindcrime II in it's entirety in Real Player, QuickTime and Windows Media formats at this location.

Operation: Mindcrime II will be released on April 4th by Rhino. The final track listing is as follows: 'Freiheit Ouvertüre' (the infamous intro fans have been chattering about) and 'Convict'. The tracklist is now as follows: 'Freiheit Ouvertüre', 'Convict', 'I'm American', 'One Foot In Hell', 'Hostage', 'The Hands', 'Speed Of Light', 'Signs Say Go (Will I Surrender?)', 'Re-Arrange You', 'The Chase', 'Murderer?', 'Circles', 'If I Could Change It All', 'An Intentional Confrontation', 'A Junkie's Blues (Everything Will Be Alright)', 'Fear City Slide', 'All The Promises'.

In related news, it has been revealed that the vinyl version of Operation: Mindcrime II will be available on April 11th (details to follow).

Also, two release parties have been scheduled in celebration of the new album for April 3rd.

One will take place at Neo Nightclub in Chicago, IL (10 PM - 4 AM - Rock/Metal night hosted by DJ Dann - Pre-release, will play record in its entirety - No cover charge - In cooperation with Tower Records & Rhino Records for midnight sales - Giveaways: Posters and stickers all night and three signed booklets).

The other is will take place at Maple Grove Tavern in Cleveland, OH (7 PM - Presented by Rhino Records, 92.3 K-ROCK's The Metal Show,WJCU, WRUW, WCSB, Free Times Magazine and The Exchange - Music by NE Ohio's premier Queensrÿche tribute band - DR.X and FROM THE ASHES - Queensrÿche karaoke contest with Chryse Emig from Kick Ass Karaoke. Cool prizes. Special Release Party Exclusive: Free Queensrÿche Operation: Mindcrime tour t-shirt with purchase from The Exchange of the new Operation: Mindcrime II CD at the party. CD available at midnight).