Queensryche and former Crimson Glory singer Todd La Torre was the newest visitor on Full Steel Jackie’s weekend radio program. After kicking across the concept of a solo album for years, the drummer/vocalist noticed alternative within the downtime pressured by the coronavirus pandemic to lastly make it a actuality.
Rejoice within the Struggling, La Torre’s first solo document, was made in collaboration with a longtime good friend and it showcases his versatility in opposition to a backdrop of assorted metallic, all riff-oriented and distant sufficient from Queensryche’s overtly melodic fashion to supply followers one thing totally contemporary.
What does your first solo album set up about you that wasn’t so apparent earlier than?
I am capable of present one other facet of my writing fashion and skill and the vocal variety that individuals do not get to listen to with Queensryche. Simply having the ability to specific issues musically that are not all the time acceptable or pertinent for Queensryche songs. I am throwing individuals a curve ball — they’re not likely certain what they’re anticipating to listen to.
One of the best factor concerning the album is it is a no-holds-barred method, and I simply did no matter I felt like and simply had enjoyable with it.
Todd La Torre, “Darkened Majesty”
Why is collaboration necessary to you even when it is a solo challenge?
I am a succesful guitar participant, actually not like Craig and it is the Henry Ford idea — in order for you the most effective you deliver individuals in that may do issues you can’t do.
I am succesful as a drummer since that is my first instrument primarily, so I did the drums on the document and the vocals. Craig, who’s my lifelong finest good friend, is a good musician and songwriter. He did all of the guitars, keyboards and bass and it was collaborative.
I knew that this was extra of the metallic fashion of what I wished to do alone.
Craig and I have been writing and enjoying collectively since I used to be 14 or 15. We actually converse the identical language and we love all the identical issues with music, which made it really easy to have the ability to collaborate. It was numerous enjoyable and it did not look like work.
So far as disagreeing with concepts, we had been all the time like, “Oh, that is superior,” or, “How can we enhance one thing?” It was assembly of the minds, expressing one thing that we have been doing for a very long time collectively. It is simply that no person ever heard what we may create collectively.
For probably the most half, this document was written throughout the coronavirus shutdown. How did limitless time and no distractions improve your creativity?
It helped tremendously as a result of usually with Queensryche we’re touring a lot. While you come residence from performing and also you’re solely residence for a number of days, it is actually exhausting to get within the mindset of [writing new music]. I wish to see my spouse, my mother, my sister and do some issues round the home. You possibly can’t simply dive proper into the studio once more each second that you simply’re not on the street.
Having the chance as a result of shutdown, which occurred for everybody right here in like mid-March, was excellent to don’t have any distractions and no journey day by day — get up and deal with the songs till we get it carried out.
It proved to be extraordinarily useful as a result of I have been speaking about doing a solo document for years. Between writing and recording after which touring and selling what we’re doing in Queensryche, this was the most effective time to essentially nail this down.
We received all of it carried out — written and recorded — in a couple of four-month interval.
Todd La Torre, “Vanguards of the Daybreak Wall” Music Video
Your voice and your skill as a performer are widely known, however what’s your greatest power as a songwriter, particularly when it comes to rejoice within the struggling?
I’ve all the time invested numerous care and time into the lyrics, whether or not it is for my very own stuff or for Queensryche — thought-provoking issues and deeper material.
I am stronger on writing verse elements, however on this album I’ve undoubtedly give you some actually good melodies and hooks, lyrically or vocally, that stunned myself as a result of I’ve by no means considered myself as a super-strong hook author.
I am actually pleased with this document — it is heavy, it is thrashy, it is received riffs, it is received very singable elements and memorable elements that I feel are very palatable and digestible for lots of listeners. I am hopeful that they get the identical factor out of that.
You had been already a Queensryche fan earlier than becoming a member of the band. How has your appreciation of that music modified now that you simply’re additionally one among its curators?
I do not know that it has modified. I feel that I’ve a singular perspective in that as a fan of the band earlier than I joined the band, I’ve a very good gauge for what the viewers appreciates and actually desires to listen to from Queensryche.
There have been a few years the place the band’s sound modified. Being within the band, I actually recognize the greatness of these first 5 data particularly that the band did and attending to know the individuals and the personalities that had been behind these creations.
However I do not know that I recognize it rather more as a result of good music is nice music. I simply suppose I’ve a special perspective transferring ahead as to what Queensryche followers love and wish to hear as we create new music.
Due to Todd La Torre for the interview. Get your copy of ‘Rejoice within the Struggling’ right here (as Amazon associates we earn on qualifying purchases) and comply with the singer on Facebook, Twitter and Spotify. Discover out the place you’ll be able to hear Full Steel Jackie’s weekend radio present here.
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