MICHAEL ANGELO BATIO On QUEENSRŸCHE Vocalist TODD LA TORRE - "He's One Of My All Time Favorite Singers"

July 7, 2015, 8 years ago

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MICHAEL ANGELO BATIO On QUEENSRŸCHE Vocalist TODD LA TORRE - "He's One Of My All Time Favorite Singers"

Guitar god Michael Angelo Batio (ex-Nitro) is featured in a new interview with MusicEnthusiastMag.com discussing his development as a guitar player and his new album, Shred Force 1. An excerpt is available below.

Q: There are two songs with Queensrÿche lead vocalist Todd La Torre, a Deep Purple cover and a Rush cover, that wind up on the effort. What made you decide to work with him? Was there something about his approach that resonated with you?

Michael: "He’s one of my all-time favorite singers, really. I mean, yes, he can do Queensrÿche, but as you can hear on this album he doesn’t sound like Geoff Tate at all. He is an amazing vocalist and he’s a drummer. His original instrument is drums, and drummers are nice people. He’s a nice guy! (laughs) He’s really cool. We hit it off really well, and I know I’m a famous guitarist and I know a lot of my friends are famous guitarists. We’ve had this kind of club, and I’ve been a fan of his."

"Over the years, I’ve gotten some really big guest stars to be on my albums. Mark Tremonti was on other albums of mine, and Rudy Sarzo… the list goes on. It was Joe, the president of Rat Pak Records, who said,'What about Todd? What do you think about him?' And Michael Wilton, of course. He played a solo on the new album. My criteria was I was a huge fan of what they do, and that’s got to be the first thing. And two, I like them as people. We get along well and really, Todd’s an amazing singer. He could sing anything. His range is fantastic and soulful. I thought he hit grand slams on both songs."

Go to this location for the complete interview.

Shred Force 1: The Essential Michael Angelo Batio not only highlights Michael’s best work to date, but also brings together many nationally renowned musicians from the hard rock and heavy metal genres. The album features some of Michael’s most memorable performances including a dynamic version of Rush’s “What You’re Doing,” which features Queensrÿche vocalist Todd LaTorre, Metal Church guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof, Alice Cooper bassist Chuck Garric, Metal Church/TSO drummer Jeff Plate and guitarist Craig Blackwell (audio stream below).

There is also a cover of Deep Purple’s ”Burn” with Queensrÿche vocalist Todd LaTorre and Alter Bridge guitarist Mark Tremonti. An official stream of the track is now available below.

The album also consists of Michael’s tributes to Eric Clapton (“Slowhand”), Randy Rhodes (“RRR”) that features Rudy Sarzo on bass, and a new version of MAB’s unique tribute (“Diamond”) to the late great Darrell “Dimebag” Abbott of Pantera, that features guitarist Michael Wilton of Queensrÿche.

The album also includes some of MAB’s most notable instrumental tracks such as, “8 Pillars Of Steel” with guest appearances by Elliott Dean Rubinson, Dave Reffett, Jeff Loomis, Rusty Cooley, George Lynch, Andrea Martongelli and Craig Goldy, “Juggernaut” showcases ex-Megadeth guitarist Chris Poland, Dave Reffett, Annie Grunwald, Guthrie Govan, Mike Lepond, and Michael Romeo. Michael Angelo Batio’s Shred Force 1: The Essential Michael Angelo Batio is a must have for all fans of the shred guitar genre! Pre-order bundles are now available at this location

“I feel that Shred Force 1 is the culmination of my best musical work,” exclaims Batio. “These are some of my personal favorite performances along with an army of featured guest stars pulled together by an amazing record company to bring it all into focus!”

Tracklisting:
“Hands Without Shadows” (featuring Bobby Rock and William Kopecky)
“Burn” (featuring Todd LaTorre and Mark Tremonti)
“Juggernaut” (Featuring Chris Poland, Dave Reffett, Annie Grunwald, Guthrie Govan, Mike Lepond, and Michael Romeo)
“What You’re Doing” (featuring Todd LaTorre, Kurdt Vanderhoof, Chuck Garric, Jeff Plate and Craig Blackwell)
“8 Pillars of Steel” (featuring Elliott Dean Rubinson, Dave Reffett, Jeff Loomis, Rusty Cooley, George Lynch, Andrea Martongelli, Craig Goldy)
“Call To Arms” (featuring Dan Lenegar, William Kopecky and John Mrozek)
“2X Again”
“Slowhand” (Featuring Warren Dunlevy Jr.)
“Diamond” (featuring Michael Wilton, Elliott Dean Rubinson)
“Rainforest”
“Gotta Run” (featuring Dan Lenegar, William Kopecky and John Mrozek)
“No Boundaries”
“RRR” (featuring Rudy Sarzo and Bobby Rock)

Bonus Tracks (Digital Version Only)
“I Pray The Lord”
“Peace”

“Burn”:



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