ARCHITECTS Parts Ways With Bassist

British metallers ARCHITECTS have parted ways with bassist Ali Dean.

Commented the band: "Most of you will already know that Ali was not part of our previous European tour due to commitments he had with his family. Unfortunately, these commitments are going to extend indefinitely and as a result he simply cannot commit the time required to continue playing with us.

"No one will miss him more than the four of us. He's been a huge part of our lives and we couldn't have asked for a nicer guy to be a part of this band, so we'd like to say a huge thank you to Ali for committing the last five years of his life to ARCHITECTS.

"At this point we are uncertain who will be filling the role, but we do know we will be playing on all our upcoming tours and we have no intention of slowing down whatsoever.

"We're so stoked on how you guys have reacted to 'The Here And Now' so far and we cannot wait to get back on the road and play to all you guys, beginning with the U.K. in April."

Added Ali in a statement: "I just wanted to say a few things to make sure my reasons for parting ways with ARCHITECTS are clear.

"I'm not going to go into any great detail, as I'm sure you'll all understand that my reasons for leaving are of a personal nature.

"My family suffered a pretty huge loss recently and as a result, I can no longer commit myself to this band to the extent necessary.

"Playing in this band and spending the past five years of my life with these four guys has been extraordinary. I consider myself very fortunate to have been able to be in a band and travel with these guys, and to see and do all the things that we've done together. I wouldn't change a thing about the experience.

"I would love nothing more than to carry on, but I've now got other priorities and commitments which would not be right for me to ignore.

"Keep supporting these guys, because they're an amazing group of musicians and more importantly they're incredible people.”

"The Here And Now", the new album from ARCHITECTS, sold around 900 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 47 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

"The Here And Now" debuted at position No. 57 on the official U.K. chart.

"The Here And Now" was produced by Steve Evetts, who has previously worked with THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN and SEPULTURA, among many others.