Chris Degarmo and Michael Wilton are the best guitar duo ever!

0:26 Arrow of Time 2:24 Suite Sis. Mary 5:15 Guardian 5:33 Empire 6:20 Eyes of a Stranger 7:05 Silent Lucidity 10:04 Queen of the Reich 11:00 NM 156

Operation Mindcrime is simply the best concept album in the history of mankind.

Wilton/DeGarmo combo definatly one of the the best 2 guitarist lineups in rock history

He is such an underrated guitar player.

I think in a 100 years from now Mindcrime will be regarded as a masterpiece both musically and for its insight into the Deepstate

If I could get paid every time I turned off all the lights and listened to Mindcrime I would be very wealthy.Never met Mary but love her. Stranded on Island, one album. Queensryche.

Absolutely amazing. You and Chris together were brilliant!

My God, those Suite Sister Mary notes realy gives me the chills...

Man, I've enjoyed his playing for 33 years now. Thanks Michael.

The guitar playing in Queensryche is phenomenal. Specially during the Operation Mindcrime era. It's also very enjoyable to be able to play some of these tunes, they just sound amazing!

Thank you Michael Wilton. I think you are the glue that has held Queensryche together from the beginning. Great leads and great tone. Thank you for your gift of music.

I grew up listening and going to see Ryche live! My favorite was and will always be original band: Michael Wilton, Chris DeGarmo, Eddie Jackson, Scott Rockenfield and Geoff Tate in his prime. Warning, Warning, Warning!

I know it's probably played to death, but from 7:10 forward for nearly two mins...I can't help but to close my eyes, smile and let a tear or two fall. I swear I heard the entire band playing throughout that section - even the orchestra. Awesome what the brain can do... ain't it?

I’m so glad I discovered this band recently. Mindcrime is phenomenal! Am 18. Discovered this band from a video from John Petrucci, he was heavily influenced by this band. I can see why... they’re amazing.

Great band and musician. Love your playing Mike. I do miss you playing with Chris. You guys rule!!

I could've quite happily sat here and watched him play their entire catalogue. Been a massive fan of the band since '84, and was lucky enough to meet them in '90. Nice guys, and an incredible band... \m/ (:o)

Thinking man's metal. Love QR. Their note choices, sense of harmony and arrangements have always been brilliant. What I like about them is that they use the two guitars almost in an orchestral or cinematic way, with both players doing different but complementary parts. They of course rock the fuck out too, which I also love.

My favorite band Michael.you rock!!!

All I can say is that when those guys formed the band queensryche the chemistry must have been something else because they were all each and every one of them band members were on it on point NSYNC in tune and chasing the same sound and they achieved it and I want to thank them for being a part of my life big part of my life

I would never have been able to figure out that Empire riff without this video, many thanks to Michael for sharing his riffs!

I know you probably won’t read this but I have idolized you and Chris and Geoff for decades and have over twenty of your tabs in my guitar pro folder. Your songs are so complex that no two tabs of the same song are alike. It’s impossible (for me) to learn them by ear because they’re hard to hear because the guitars were always so low in the recording mix. But you have a super fan in me and always will. Keep the brand alive, Michael!

Some of the most iconic guitar riffs, tones & solos in history.

Him and Chris two of the most underrated players ever

He and Chris DeGarmo wrote some really classic stuff together,''The Warning'', ''Rage For Order'', ''Operation Mindcrime'' and ''Empire'' are full of great guitarwork.Their new album is pretty good also,even without the vest.

Oh man! Suite Sister Mary is ingrained into my very being. Watching the man who created it....teach me. Amazing. THANK YOU Michael, you Rock brother!

I really wish to see many more of these from Michael Wilton! It amazing to watch and listen to someone play with such accuracy and skill 👏 👌

He rarely uses anything but the bridge pickup though, even for cleans. He's one of the nicest guys in the world , top notch gent.

Awesome band, always doing something different to other metal bands. The Wilton/Degarmo pairing is one of my all time favourite partnerships. Saw QR 14th November 1990 at the Hammersmith Odeon, with Lynch Mob supporting. 3 incredible guitarists on one bill!! 😎🤘

You are so awesome and cool Mike keep rocking my brother God bless you always 🙏

Absolutely LOVE "Suite Sister Mary." Wonderful note choices. I believe it to be their "Stairway to Heaven."

They could tour forever on their catalogue. And even..just doing MINDCRIME. A perfect album if ever there is one

These guys did things to the best of their abilities in their prime. That's what made them so good. Michael's playing is still as good as it was 30+ years ago.

Happy Birthday Mike!!! You are amazing! What a talent!!! Thanks for your lesson! ❤😘🇧🇷

Such clean, clean guitar work . Ever when he's not trying to be clean. It is a shame we will never hear Queensryche the way we used to , each one of the original members complimented one another perfectly , they inspired one another on a level bands just can never reach

1983 to 1994... They did many fantastic songs After Promised Land they self destruct, I m sad. They will always be my fave band, but without Tate-DeGarmo the Magic is gone

Thank you for sharing these interesting techniques, great work it’s nice to see you’re doing what not many do. NM156 was ahead of time

I've been playing this songs for 30 years now that's crazy. But there's something magical about the writer's playing them. So strange and awesome

That. Was. AWESOME!!!🤗🤗🤗

As a wee lad starting out on guitar I learned parts of most tunes off the album The Warning by ear. The guitar playing on that is pretty straightforward and accessible, almost riff rock. OM might be my favourite album ever, and RFO is not far behind. On those albums the guitar composing/playing started going way out of the box, the furthest you could get from riff rock. I mean this as the highest complement. I had little urge to learn it as I think it's how all 5 guys work together in the composition that makes it so special. That Suite Sister Mary bit shown here is pretty crazy stuff, almost doesn't sound great by itself, but it's a masterpiece when played within the ebb and flow of the entire album.

God your earlier music was so far ahead of where heavy metal gravitated to. Tate's voice always stands out, but the rifts you and Chris were creating so young were heart racing and synced in a way that blew me away, not to mention an amazing drummer. Operation Mindcrime is the most epic rock opera expanding me to explore Savatage and its transformation into TSO.

Still love the Empire riff to this day. The new album is stellar. 10/10

I'll be in dream control tonight thinking about those super licks...Thanks Michael

That was awesome! Silent Lucidity solo guitar, by the guy who wrote it !

Awesome guitarist, great band.

Still practice their songs on my electric and acoustic guitars weekly. Scale progressions and unique hand positions keep it fresh.

Dude your solos have eluded me for years. I’d pay a million dollars for all of the Empire guitar solos.

It's very cool seeing Mike's picking technique up close; on the fly switching from scissor to straight sarod. I'll never forget seeing Queensrÿche for the first time in 1985 at the Reunion in Dallas. The duel solos were pure gold and inspired me to keep practicing.

Love the new singer and the new album. The whole new album is fantastic.

Few years back I was prospecting gold in the mountains and a friend of mine picked me up drove to Rosemead and pick up his brother. From there to Sunset House of blues to see Queensryche for my birthday. At the show they brought out a cake for Wilton. It was his b day also. Feb 23. Best b day ever. Thanks Ron and Chris Strand.

Dude is so underrated as a player.

Great melodic and heavy styles played here and yes sometimes reminds me of Ozzy from the earlier 80's. very creative and very talented. Queen of the ryche and eyes of a stranger are some of the best rock songs ever written. Well done.

Such under rated players. Amazing song writing skills and melodies. I wish the original band would get back together, DeGarmo.....

Queensryche since 1983 up until the split have been my favorite band. I will go on record and say that their masterpiece was "The Warning". The album was musically and lyrically haunting and beautiful. I know, I know, I know "Operation Mindcrime" is phenomenal and I get it.

Queensryche tokyo 84 forever

Empire & Operation MindCrime are Absolutely Iconic & Masterpieces of Music ❤🙏🤘

Queensryche rocks! I've loved them since the early 90s when they released their "Empire" album!! 🎸🤯

Oh joy! Glad to have this gem show up in my feed ... Thank you Micheal Wilton

That was fun, think ill watch it again

Suite sister Mary still gives me chills after all these years. First concert I saw,was 14(Metallica /queensryche 89).Mindcrime is a masterpiece.

Pleased to see the love for Michael. In the glory days all the accolades & poll voting was all about Chris. Ok he wrote most of the stuff but Michael is tops

Amazing choice of chords and notes. See guys, chosing well the chords arrangement and note order in them, is one of the most crucial elements in building incredible songs. That sometimes is what really makes the difference for a band to "make it" or not. In the end, it's all about the hard work and the hours you put into creating something different and rich.

Great riffs. Well constructed & thought out . Nice playing too. Glad to see the Ryche getting (some) of the attention they deserve lately. Condition Human is a killer album tooCongrats

Nicely done! Thank you for sharing your talent.

now THAT is a good clean sound

Thanks Mike! I have been struggling to find out how to play the verse of “Silent Lucidity” for weeks. Now I get the song from the man who played the original song. Awesome!

Masterful, world class riffing! One of the best!

Feel? I'm trying not to feel a hand cramp from watching you go thru the Sister Mary chord progressions. Glad I'm a drummer. A 'Ryche' fan from the 4 song release. Great stuff, Michael Wilton...

One of the great guitarist...

love Michael's playing great riffs. I parralel with his style a lot.

Thanks Mike!

The new album KILLS!!!

Thank you for the last three amazing albums, I really love them!

So 39 people took the time to thumbs down the guitar player giving a play along to the songs he's written..... what?

One of my favourite guitarists!

Thank you so much, Michael

Excellent vid and Thanks for many years of incredible guitar work Whip! Lookin forward to seeing Queensryche on tour, the new band is awesome

Thank you Michael!

Michael wilton most likely assembled one of the best heavy metal albums ever created in music history.

An overlooked impressive aspect of hard rock/ metal players is the ability in a full show stand (1 1/2- 2+ hours) and deliver the parts with energy and clarity. Its one thing to be able to sit comfortably and.. Saw "The Ryche" in 91'. Suicidal Tendencies was opening. My dad took me after work just to go and get a t-shirt (we didn't have tickets). There were tickets available. So we stayed to see the show. Yay!

Great video Michael 🎸 👍

Beautiful lesson, thank you.

Hey WHIP !! Mike,You are BY Far my Favorite guitarist and had the most influence on my playing,between You and Chris when he was Still there with You. NOW,If it wasn't for YOU and Scott Rockenfield,I DOUBT Anyone could pull of Your Parts in any way,shape,or form. I'm a Disabled Gulf war vet that learned A LOT of your songs off Empire,Operation Mindcrime,and,I WISH I could find someone who knows as MUCH Queensryche as I do to JAM WITH,.. : ) (I don't get out much anymore,I've got Degenerative Disc disease,a failed Spine fusion,and, a GROCERY LIST of Other Health Problems,It SUCKS ! I Had the Glow in the dark LTD,but,I had to sell everything when I applied to get on disability,If I would have known how they were going to SCREW ME,I would Just have KEPT IT. Anyway,THANKS for the Song samples,I used to write you on Your Page,but,you were usually on tour and would just give us Updates. THANKS FOR THE Mini Lessons!! Take care and Hopefully see You Soon! Take Care!Bob MalinGlendora,New Jersey

Ahhhhh, Michael and Chris..... the best 2axes of our time.

Its fun just watching him riff out

Many great Queensryche songs. Operation: Mindcrime is a masterpiece.

Yea Whip!!!!! Still and always will kick ass!

You’re awesome!

The most underrated guitarist of all time in my opinion he kicks everybody's ass

Michael, You Rock!!!!

Thanks Mike. I'm a huge fan. Saw you at House of Blues, Disneyland.

Geoff Tate's band are taking notes on how to properly play the parts on the older songs.

The guitars in Queensryche are amazing. I caught these guys in Buffalo NY when they did Operation Mindcrime front to back! Epic!

I remember buying the EP when it first came out every song rock's and operation mind crime and the warning album also amazing

Awesome stuff, Michael! Thanks!!!

Thats fantastic.. Thank You for sharing.

Grazie Michael!!!

Love that guitar design Reminds me of my old Powell Perallta skateboard called Bones I had when I was like 12 ...

Dude you are a true master guitar player

Love the clean tone of that Roland Jazz Chorus!