CRIMSON GLORY Is 100% Behind Singer TODD LA TORRE's Involvement With RISING WEST

Florida melodic metallers CRIMSON GLORY have released the following statement regarding their singer Todd La Torre's involvement with RISING WEST, the new band featuring Michael Wilton, Eddie Jackson, Scott Rockenfield and Parker Lundgren of QUEENSRŸCHE:

"We are all behind Todd 100% on this. He is a brilliant, eloquent and incredibly skilled vocalist; that's why we were so happy to have him onboard with CRIMSON GLORY in the first place. It was only a matter of time before word got around and his performances were seen by the right people, that everyone would know who Todd La Torre was.

"QUEENSRŸCHE is another great example of how a band can create a legacy that is endless; we're proud to stand with them against the test of time as some of the original pioneers of progressive metal here in the U.S.

"Since we share so many of the same fans, we truly see this as a great opportunity not just for Todd, but for the fans as well.

"CRIMSON GLORY has always had a very devout following of fans, but QUEENSRŸCHE has obviously had a more far-reaching effect on the mainstream metal movement, and so we see this as a great opportunity for many of their fans to get to know our music better. Above all, Todd has been a fan of QUEENSRŸCHE for so long, and for him to have the chance to be a part of their next chapter (as RISING WEST) is a dream come true for him, and for us as as his friends as well. When he came to us with this, we supported him and encouraged him to go for it. The world deserves to have as much Todd as it can handle!

"Of course, Todd is still the singer for CRIMSON GLORY, he is a part of our family and that will never change. We are still writing the new record and we will be adding more tour dates later this year."

RISING WEST will make its live debut on Friday, June 8 and Saturday, June 9 at the Hard Rock Café in Seattle, Washington. The band will perform rare and classic hits from the first five QUEENSRŸCHE albums — from the 1983 EP through 1990's "Empire" — and plans on hitting the studio sometime early summer to begin recording its first release.

La Torre, who says that QUEENSRŸCHE has been his favorite band since he was 15 years old, first met Wilton at this year's NAMM convention in January in Anaheim, California.

"Just for the record and for those asking about CRIMSON GLORY, I am NOT leaving CRIMSON GLORY, I am embarking on another musical endeavor with the members of QUEENSRŸCHE," Todd wrote in an online posting. "I am proud and honored to be a part of this! CRIMSON GLORY is still writing new material for our record, DO NOT WORRY This is going to be an amazing new chapter."

He added, "The media and 'fans' can be quite brutal, but I would like to say thank you for all of your amazing support.

"I have nothing but respect for what Geoff Tate has done to the genre. His voice is still amazing. The only thing that is constant is change. I hope the fans of QUEENSRŸCHE, and I'm one of them, will continue to show respect for him and all he has accomplished."