SWALLOW THE SUN Parts Ways With Drummer

Finnish doom metallers SWALLOW THE SUN have issued the following update:

"There is no easy way to phrase this, so let's get straight to the point: due to a mutual decision Pasi Pasanen [drums] will no longer be playing with SWALLOW THE SUN. Pasi, as one of the founding members, has been an integral part of the development of the band and its sound since the beginning back in 2000. We have had good times, recorded four excellent albums and done unbelievable amounts of touring together, but now it's time for us to go on our separate ways."

Pasi comments on the situation: "Lately, I've been having a lack of motivation towards this kind of music and touring. The guys have felt it too and there's no point for me to deny it. It just affects the chemistry in the band too much, so it is time for me to step aside. I've gotten many good friends and some of the best experiences ever touring with SWALLOW THE SUN. About 200 shows in 21 countries is something I never thought I'd get to do, so I want to thank and hail all the great people, friends, bands we've toured with and especially Juha, Jämy, Martti, Aleksi and Mikko for these years. And I'm sure you fans wont be disappointed with the future SWALLOW THE SUN. Me and Juha [Raivio; guitar] will continue working together in PLUTONIUM ORANGE, and you never know what other things the future brings, so cheers, everyone. See you somewhere!"

The band adds: "We wish him well in everything, and Pasi will continue to play with Juha in PLUTONIUM ORANGE — which is the band that got SWALLOW THE SUN started in the first place — and they are just finishing their debut album. For what it comes to upcoming shows and the new album, nothing will change. We won't cancel any shows, and we will enter Fascination Street studios 15th of June to record our next album. More information about everything will follow soon."

An e-card for SWALLOW THE SUN's "Plague of Butterflies" mini-album can be accessed at this location. The CD was released in September 2008 via Spinefarm Records.

PLUTONIUM ORANGE has finished recording its debut album at Studio Watercastle with Sami Kokko for a fall release via Firebox Records. The CD will soon be mastered at Finnvox studios in Helsinki. A seven-inch single will precede the full-length album during the summer.

PLUTONIUM ORANGE is:

Samuli Liekkinen - Guitar, Vocals
Juha Raivio - Guitar, Backing Vocals
Pasi Pasanen - Drums
Antti Sjöblom - Bass

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/plutoniumorange.

Fan-filmed video footage of SWALLOW THE SUN's February 16, 2009 concert at Foufounes Électriques in Montreal, Quebec, Canada can be viewed below (courtesy of "AnteChristumNatum").