His dramatic dismissal followed a violent confrontation with bandmates, leading to a legal tussle over use of the group's name which was eventually settled out of court.

Tate is keeping the name until the end of his August tour, after which the band and new vocalist Todd La Torre will take the name. Tate will continue under Operation: Mindcrime.

He tells GoUpstate.com: "I didn't see it coming - I didn't even think it was possible. Why would you fire the main writer and the person who is the face of the band - the identifying key figure in the success of the group?