Rejoice in the Suffering
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| Rejoice in the Suffering | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Studio album by | |
| Released | 5 February 2021 |
| Recorded | 2017–2020 |
| Genre | Heavy metal, thrash metal |
| Length | 44:35 |
| Label | Rat Pak |
| Producer |
|
Rejoice in the Suffering is the debut solo album by Queensrÿche vocalist Todd La Torre, released on 5 February 2021 through Rat Pak Records.[1]
Recording[edit]
In 2017, La Torre announced that he was working on his first solo album with his friend Craig Blackwell as co-songwriter, while simultaneously recording his third album with Queensrÿche, The Verdict.[2] As global touring came to a halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic, La Torre used his downtime from Queensrÿche to put the finishing touches on Rejoice in The Suffering.[1][3] As was the case on Queensrÿche's The Verdict, La Torre also played drums; Blackwell played guitar, bass, and keyboards.[3][4][5] La Torre and Blackwell self-produced the album, however, they called on Queensrÿche producer Zeuss to oversee mixing and mastering. The album also features guest appearances from Jordan Ziff, who plays the second half of the guitar solo on the title track “Rejoice in the Suffering”, and Al Nunn who plays keyboard on “One by One”.[3][5]
Critical reception[edit]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Blabbermouth | 7.5/10[6] |
| Metal Temple | 9/10[7] |
| Sonic Perspectives | 9.5/10[3] |
Sonic Perspectives contributor Jonathan Smith rated the album 9.5 out of 10, writing, "Drawing from a highly diverser well of influences, it's tempting to file this sonic venture under the genre tag 'various,' but the best way to truly understand the game of notes at play here would be a modernized take on traditional metal with peripheral variations."[3] Dom Lawson of Blabbermouth.net rated it 7.5 out of 10, writing, "Not every song sinks its talons in with quite the same ferocity, but Rejoice In The Suffering is still an unapologetic, balls-to-the-wind metal record, and a robust reminder that Todd La Torre is a one-man heavy metal whirlwind with one of the great voices of the modern era."[6]
Track listing[edit]
All tracks are written by Todd La Torre and Craig Blackwell
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Dogmata" | 3:31 |
| 2. | "Pretenders" | 4:10 |
| 3. | "Hellbound and Down" | 3:39 |
| 4. | "Darkened Majesty" | 4:07 |
| 5. | "Crossroads to Insanity" | 5:07 |
| 6. | "Critical Cynic" | 3:55 |
| 7. | "Rejoice in the Suffering" | 4:35 |
| 8. | "Vexed" | 5:52 |
| 9. | "Vanguards of the Dawn Wall" | 3:39 |
| 10. | "Apology" | 6:00 |
| Total length: | 44:35 | |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 11. | "Fractured" | 3:50 |
| 12. | "Set It Off" | 4:05 |
| 13. | "One by One" | 5:56 |
| Total length: | 58:26 | |
Personnel[edit]
- Todd La Torre – vocals, drums, production
- Craig Blackwell – guitars, bass guitar, keyboards, production
- Jordan Ziff – guitar solo on "Rejoice in the Suffering"
- Al Nunn – keyboard on "One by One"
- Zeuss – mixing and mastering
References[edit]
- ^ a b "Rat Pak Records - Todd la torre". ratpakrecordsamerica.com.
- ^ "Blabbermouth.Net - QUEENSRŸCHE's Next Album Will Include 'More Up-Tempo Songs,' Says TODD LA TORRE". Roadrunnerrecords.com. 2017-05-27. Retrieved 2017-05-28.
- ^ a b c d e Smith, Jonathan (February 1, 2021). "Todd La Torre – Rejoice in the Suffering (Album Review)". Sonic Perspectives. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
- ^ Joe Divita (2020-12-11). "Queensryche Singer Todd La Torre Drops Scorching 'Darkened Majesty' Off Solo Debut". Retrieved 2021-02-03.
- ^ a b Mark Dean (2021-01-17). "Interview: Todd La Torre – Queensrÿche". Retrieved 2021-02-03.
- ^ a b Lawson, Dom (February 3, 2021). "Todd La Torre – Rejoice in the Suffering". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
- ^ Poulin, Eric (April 12, 2021). "Todd La Torre – Rejoice in the Suffering". metal-temple.com. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
