Let’s be real: the "modern rock" industry is a sanitized, corporate circle-jerk where talent goes to die unless you’ve got a massive pile of cash to buy your way onto a tour. Curtis Don Vito from SNEW joined us, and what started as a standard interview quickly turned into a cold, hard look at the financial rot killing real rock n' roll.

Snew's WHAT'S IT TO YA is seemingly out of print, but Amazon has a copy here: https://amzn.to/4n8x2gJ

SNEW is the quintessential "shit-kicker" band. They recorded with the legendary Ken Scott—the man who worked on The Beatles' White Album and Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust. They’ve got the substance, the pedigree, and the balls. Yet, even with that resume, Curtis lays out the grim reality of "Buy-On" culture. You want to open for a legend? It’ll cost you $55,000 per show. It’s not about the music; it’s about who can afford the ransom.

We also dive into the "Spotify Debate" and the absolute joke of digital royalties. When your record is on torrent sites for free on day one, and Spotify pays you a tenth of a cent while the labels gobble up the rest, how is a real band supposed to survive? This is the conversation the mainstream "fan-boy" press is too terrified to have because they’re all on the take.

"The version you’re seeing here is the 'sanitized' edit. To hear the full, unfiltered, and legally dangerous deep dive—including the stuff that gets us banned elsewhere—join the Inner Circle at https://classicmetalshow.locals.com. Become a VIP and get the substance the mainstream won't touch."

The “justice” system is a total fraud, and this week on CMS, we’re proving it. We’ve got teachers, mayors, and nurses all caught in the same web of bad decisions and even worse excuses. When did “educator” become a synonym for “predator”? From the 27-year-old substitute in Texas with the “Picasso face” to the Louisiana mayor who literally ordered Plan B on DoorDash after a hookup, the industry of “authority” is crumbling.

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The mainstream media wants to paint a picture of pure victimhood, but Judge Akin sees through the bullshit. We’re diving into the 7,500 texts that prove these “victims” were enjoying every second of it. If you want the truth about the “Bloodbath” occurring in our schools and local governments—the stuff that gets us flagged and shadowbanned on the “safe” platforms—you know where to find us.

The version you’re seeing here is the ‘sanitized’ edit. To hear the full, unfiltered, and legally dangerous deep dive—including the stuff that gets us banned elsewhere—join the Inner Circle at https://classicmetalshow.locals.com. Become a VIP and get the substance the mainstream won’t touch.

Chris Akin sits down with Geoff Tate for a raw, no-BS conversation about Operation Mindcrime X (dropping May 3rd), the evolution of the story, why the new single “Power” sounds nothing like 1988, and how he’s still living the rock ‘n’ roll dream while balancing family life. From painting audio pictures to the never-ending tour, this is pure CMS-TV gold for every Queensrÿche, Mindcrime, and Geoff Tate fan.

GET QUEENSRYCHE’S OPERATION MINDCRIME ON VINYL: https://amzn.to/41qYkVx

Geoff Tate joins Chris Akin Presents to dive deep into the long-awaited Operation Mindcrime 3 (officially titled X). He reveals the album grew from years of curiosity about the shadowy Dr. X character — the mysterious figure fans never fully knew. Tate calls it a “guilty indulgence” and a true labor of love, co-written with Kieran Robertson through late-night messages across the globe.

He explains how the first two albums focused on Nikki and Sister Mary, while this one flips the perspective to Dr. X’s upbringing and mindset. Musically, “Power” is deliberately modern — bigger dynamic range, not a nostalgia trip — and Tate treats every track like painting an audio scene where music and lyrics lock together perfectly.

Chris presses him on the pressure of following up a legendary concept record, whether he misses quick three-minute singles, and how the theatrical storytelling style has become his signature. Geoff is refreshingly honest: he loves both short songs and deep stories, but this record is exactly what he wanted to make right now.

They also talk touring life — the tour never ends, he loves bringing shows to places that rarely get live metal, and he has zero plans to retire to the couch. Family travels with him when they can, and he’s still all-in on the road. The chat wraps with how he wants fans to experience the new album: headphones on, no distractions, letting the full sonic picture sink in.

A must-watch for anyone who grew up on Operation: Mindcrime, Empire, or Sweet Oblivion. Real talk, zero fluff, straight from the legend himself.

Call to Action:
Watch the full interview now, smash that like button, subscribe to The CMS Network, and join us on Locals/Substack for uncensored extras. Drop your favorite Geoff Tate era in the comments — Nikki, Dr. X, or something else?

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