QUEENSRŸCHE vocalist Todd La Torre has released the official music video for his solo song “Vexed”. The video was directed and filmed by Thomas Crane of killDevil Films, and features Todd and songwriting partner Craig Blackwell handing all of the instruments on the track.
Todd comments: “‘Vexed’ highlights the unfortunate reality that many nations and its people are facing. Past and present parallels of civil rights movements, social injustices, and the uprisings surrounding geopolitical landscapes are woven throughout the exposé, displaying overt footage from various countries with no exclusivity. Despite its thought-provoking and unfiltered content, Thomas Crane of killDevil Films really drove home the vision that Craig and I wanted to convey. This video is really an artistic collage of performance, the ominous side of humanity, and unwavering altruistic heroism. The overall point and message is that we must learn and understand the profound significance of the past and present if we are to have salutary progress for the future.”
“Vexed” is taken from La Torre’s full-length debut, “Rejoice In The Suffering”, which arrived on February 5 via Rat Pak Records.
The idea for a solo album was always in the cards for Todd. With QUEENSRŸCHE tour dates postponed indefinitely, the world events offered Todd the opportunity to explore his ideas for the effort. Todd teamed up with Blackwell, alongside producer Chris “Zeuss” Harris, to create a diverse heavy metal album that draws influence from different styles. These styles will surprise fans who only know La Torre from his previous work with QUEENSRŸCHE or CRIMSON GLORY.
From the album’s opening riffs of “Dogmata” to the vocal acrobatics that drive the album closer “Apology”, it is apparent that La Torre has a true love of heavy metal. With Todd playing drums and recording the vocals for the album, songs like “Darkened Majesty” and “Critical Cynic” offer an inside look into his musical mind. Blackwell’s guitar playing provides the perfect musical accents to La Torre’s vocals. Todd even finds vocal wails not heard from him before as showcased on the title track and the punishing “Vanguards Of The Dawn Wall”. The deluxe version of the album features three bonus tracks: “Fractured”, “Set It Off” and “One By One”.
“Rejoice In The Suffering” track listing:
01. Dogmata
02. Pretenders
03. Hellbound And Down
04. Darkened Majesty
05. Crossroads To Insanity
06. Critical Cynic
07. Rejoice In The Suffering
08. Vexed
09. Vanguards Of The Dawn Wall
10. Apology
Bonus tracks (deluxe version only)
11. Fractured
12. Set It Off
13. One By One
