TODD LA TORRE (QUEENSRŸCHE): “Your Record Is A Business Card To Get Them To Come To A Live Show”

QUEENSRŸCHE (Live at The Riverside, Newcastle, U.K., December 1 2019)
Photo: Mick Burgess

Rejoice In The Solo Project

Todd La Torre debuted as the new singer of Queesrÿche on their 2013 self-titled album. La Torre helped breathe new life and energy into a 30+ year old band that was slowing down and struggling internally.  The new pairing went on to release two more albums together, Condition Hüman and The Verdict.  It was recently announced that Queensrÿche was working on album number 4 with Todd at the helm.

During La Torre’s time off of the road due to the Covid lockdowns, he took the opportunity to complete work on his long planned solo album.   The result of his efforts, Rejoice in the Suffering, was released on February 5, 2021.  The album is packed with 10 powerful Heavy Metal tracks, accented by three bonus tracks in which La Torre experiments a little bit with his sound.  I had the chance to speak with Todd about the new album and so much more.

Highlights include

  • Discussion of his new solo album Rejoice in the Suffering
  • Collaborating with his high school classmate Craig Blackwell
  • Adding the “death growl” to his vocals
  • His frustrations about the business side of the music industry
  • The passion and money goes into making an album, and the “critics” that bash it instantly
  • Modern music consumption vs. the physical music consumption of the past
  • How record companies are still a valuable asset to an artist
  • Guesting on Jason Bieler’s 2021 solo album
  • At what phase the new Queensrÿche album is at
  • The camaraderie and renewed energy within Queensrÿche
  • Was he asked to wear the silver mask while in Crimson Glory
  • What he thinks touring will look like post-Covid lockdowns

About George Dionne 288 Articles
George was a contributor here at Metal Express Radio, reviewing albums and conducting interviews, out of Massachusetts, USA. George has contributed to numerous music related websites and blogs, and even managed his own from 2004-2009. George's first assignment was covering a live show by the mighty GWAR. By contrast his later assignments featured Judas Priest, Van Halen, and Bon Jovi. George was also the front man for the South Eastern Massachusetts cover band Sound Tower from 2009-2015.  Sound Tower played 300+ shows across MA and had two original songs on the Cape Cod radio station PIXY 103. George enjoys a good whiskey, scotch, and/or bourbon and fights crime in his spare time.

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