The lights went dark, the footsteps of the nurse and the words “Sweet dreams, you bastard” echoed through the arena and Queensryche fans were overcome with a feeling of euphoria.

Queensryche performed Operation: Mindcrime and Operation: Mindcrime II in their entirety on Oct. 5 at the Gibson Amphitheater at Universal City, just as they have been doing to standing room only crowds across the nation and the world.

History took place that night. The stage was as elaborate as any Broadway musical. The actors, costumes and props enhanced the show as the story unfolded. But more than that, the mix was simply perfect.

The guitars of Michael Wilton and Mike Stone were strong in synchronized harmony while the thundering foundation of bass and drums by Eddie “Edbass” Jackson and Scott Rockenfield pounded against your body as the performance played on. The strong operatic vocals of Geoff Tate soared through the music. Tate was joined by Pamela Moore, singing her leads and harmonies with Tate and at the same time having more wardrobe changes than Celine Dion from a nun, to a leather-clad high-heeled thigh-high-boot-wearin prostitute, to a angel donning a flowing white gown.

For those of you wondering whatever happened to Mary, her fate was explicitly revealed in the show as she takes a call from Dr. X, that was intended for Nikki. As Dr. X has complete control of her mind, he tells her to take the gun from the box next to the telephone, put the barrel of the gun into her mouth and pull the trigger. She then ascended to the top of the stairs, blew her brains out of her head and they were splattered all over the immense video screen behind her.

The highlight of the evening came during Operation: Mindrime II, when heavy metal legend Ronnie James Dio joined Queensryche on stage to personally sing his part of which he sang on the album as Dr. X. A once-in-a-lifetime moment for sure, for rumor has it, this was the only time on the entire tour Dio was available to sing the part with the ‘Ryche.

Tate gave an Oscar-caliber performance portraying the roles of Dr. X and Nikki among the actors and even members of the fan club participated in the performance as members of the jury condemning poor Nikki.

Just this past year, they concluded the epic story that began nearly 20 years ago with their album Operation: Mindcrime II, and to perform the two albums back to back in one night was the epitome of ‘Ryche for many die hard fans.

After the Mindcrime story was over, the ‘Ryche thanked the fans again for the tremendous support they’ve had over the years and came out on stage to perform Walk in the Shadows and Jet City Woman.

Bands like Queensryche who have been around for many years have defining albums, for Queensryche, Operation Mindcrime was their defining album. Although their follow-up album Empire was a lager success, Operation: Mindcrime put them on the map, defined their sound of soaring vocals and gut wrenching guitars, bass and drums. No matter how many times you listen to it or hear it performed live, it leaves an imprint on you mind that stays with you.

To this day, some still don’t understand the entire story of Nikki, Sister Mary and Dr. X, but no matter. The themes, harmonies and music sticks in the hearts of the ‘Ryche faithful and shall live forever.