drummer Henry Ranta left

2003-06-05 - Drummer Henry Ranta has left Sweden's SOILWORK in order to dedicate more time to his personal life.

"After playing in SOILWORK for five years, our dear friend and drummer Henry Ranta has decided that he can no longer continue to play in SOILWORK," the band said in an official statement announcing Ranta's departure from the group. "There are no hard feelings between Henry and us in any way, and we will still remain amazing friends, he will always be a true Soilworker. We wish him all the best of luck with his decision and we're sure we'll cross paths again in the future!"

Henry, who is also a member of THE DEFACED (featuring DARKANE guitarist Klas Ideberg), has issued a statement of his own explaining his decision to leave the band.

"I guess this is supposed to be a statement of why and when I decided to leave SOILWORK, but since this is a well thought out decision (not an easy one though) I will try and keep away from the sentimental 'bullshit' and just focus on the hard facts," Ranta said.

"Combining my daytime job, rehearsing, recording and touring with SOILWORK has basically worn me out. This didn't really make a difference the first couple of years in SOILWORK, but as time went on I started digging a black hole for myself.

"For the past two years I haven't really found any joy playing, and with all the tours coming up this year I felt that it was time for me to leave.

"Playing in SOILWORK has been my life 24/7 for five years now, and at one point last year, I started to open my eyes to a lot of things that has been neglecting, just because I had been to concentrated on one thing only.

"Basically I'm gonna start investing more time in things that are making me happy right now. I'll take a peek at the other side, and I'm pretty sure that I'll enjoy what I'll find.

"But you're not gonna get rid of me yet though. It's not like I'm gonna stop playing drums. You will still hear me fucking shit up in THE DEFACED and other projects.

"A really big thanks to all SOILWORK fans for amazing support throughout years — Love ya all!

"Finally I would like to say a big fucking 'hell yeah' to the band for five beautiful years of insanity."

SOILWORK, whose next gig is scheduled to take place this Sunday (June 8) at the Rock Hard Festival in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, have yet to announce a replacement for Ranta. More information is expected soon.<br></br>(news taken from http://www.blabbermouth.net)

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