Since the not-so-amicable split between singer Geoff Tate and the rest of Queensryche, the band recently recruited Crimson Glory vocalist Todd La Torre to front the band. Since his debut, La Torre has been accused of using Geoff Tate’s recorded vocals during live performances — an allegation which La Torre has now officially denied.

Tate was fired from Queensryche after a series of confrontations with his former band members, which reportedly included Tate punching, spitting on and pulling a knife on band members. Guitarist Michael Wilton recently recalled one specific incident — “I heard our singer say, ‘Hey, Mike, have a nice show,’ and then when I looked at him, he spit right in my face and called me a ‘motherf—er.’ As I was wiping my face, feeling violated, Geoff Tate came back at me yelling obscenities, ‘F—er,’ ‘F— you, you mother f—er.’ I gave him a look from my towel, he approached me and when I was not looking, he punched me on the side of my face.”

Now that Queensryche have brought in Todd La Torre, they admittedly find themselves in a much more positive state as one functioning unit. However, the Tate backing vocal track allegations warranted a response from La Torre on his Facebook page.

I’ve been asked about backing vocal tracks and that many believe they are hearing Tate’s voice on them. Let me clearly state that there are NO backing vocals with his voice in ANY songs with my performance. Any tracks that have accompanied backing vocals have all been re-recorded with my voice and Eddies. We don’t use any tracks to fake a lead vocal with me, but to simple give a fuller nicer sound to a chorus as backing vocals, NOT to replace my lead vocal role. Yes, they are very similar and would naturally be heard as Geoff’s but they are not. All recordings are time stamped and recorded in the computer and protools and my point is indisputable. Just needed to clarify that, and I also sing the full chorus live to Empire since some have asked me about that. Otherwise, hope you all have a wonderful day, now I have to get back to writing and new hard rock/metal record. Cheers \m/

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