In September 2012 it was officially announced that Geoff Tate was fired from Queensrÿche. Geoff however refused to be treated in such a manner and started his own version of Queensrÿche which initially included guitarists Kelly Gray (ex-Queensrÿche) and Glen Drover (ex-Megadeth), bassist Rudy Sarzo (ex-Quiet Riot), keyboardist Randy Gane, and drummer Bobby Blotzer (ex-Ratt.

Shortly after this new band's announcement, Glen Drover dropped out of the line-up and in early 2013 Bobby Blotzer also dropped out to return to Ratt. Shortly after Bobby's departure however Geoff Tate announced on his Queensrÿche's official site that Glen and Bobby's replacements were guitarist Robert Sarzo (Hurricane) and drummer Simon Wright (ex-AC/DC, ex-Dio). That same news announcement also announced the world-wide contract signing of Geoff Tate's version of Queensrÿche to Cleopatra Records as well as the 3 guest musicians who would be performing on the new album.

In April 2013 the band will embark on a full North American tour titled, 25th Anniversary Operation: Mindcrime Tour 2013.