Ex-SONIC SYNDICATE Singer Slams Former Bandmates For 'Their Inability To Play Decent Music'

Video footage of Swedish/British modern metallers SONIC SYNDICATE performing the song "Jack Of Diamonds" on November 2, 2010 in Frankfurt, Germany can be viewed below.

SONIC SYNDICATE is currently touring Europe without co-vocalist Richard Sjunnesson, who claims to have left the band due to "their inability to play decent music." In a lengthy and rambling message posted on his newly launched official blog, Richard states that his departure from the group was caused by his "being locked up in a band where there is no room to express one's creativity because it's simply not the right format for the band anymore. Being artistically crippled because heavy music is the wrong forum for a 'metal band,' and having to turn the other cheek pretending to like something that I think is garbage will simply not fly for this crow. There are only so many arguments of the 'scary' screaming vocals to be or not to be in various songs I'm willing to take. Seeing how there was even demands to the band (behind my back) of songs without screaming vocals and how they were later obvious downplayed in the mix might very well have been the deathblow to my emotional attachment of the band. On the other hand, that made this decision very easy for me. It allowed me to go on in life with stuff that feels more important, things that actually manage to stir my heart."

He adds, "To me it seems awfully stupid to change musical direction for a band that was on a steady upward trend for every single album release. If we were on our way down, I'd be the first one to say, 'Hey, maybe we should try something different here?' (To a certain extent, of course.) But it escapes me how a band that is already doing well would risk something like that. The only reason I see why it happened is spelled, 'greed!' Like a singer change wasn't enough of a change? I mean, SONIC would have been nothing without our fans. Our music was what won you guys over in the first place, and I think those are very sensitive variables to play around with. And yes, I know a lot of people actually like [the latest SONIC SYNDICATE album] 'We Rule The Night', and I respect you for it. So I hope you can respect my decision and musical preferences as well, and be very aware of the fact that they are nothing in the lines of 'We Rule The Night'. However, that's the beauty of humanity. We are all different and have different taste. Wouldn't want to have it any other way!"

He concludes his message by saying, "So, let's hope for their sake that this change is the winning formula, and it will be the key to breakthrough and success. Seeing the turnout from the Scandinavian shows, I can't help myself for being a little doubtful, and that's not because I'm malicious in any sense. I'm just trying to be realistic.

"Don't get me wrong, I do wish them all the good in the world, but when it comes down to it, I personally feel life is too short to be wasted on something you don't have a burning passion for. Especially when it's as time-consuming as a touring band. So, even if they do go sky-high, the fact stands that I sure as hell didn't start the band to play pop music. And I would never be able to support such a change for all the money in the world."

Richard Sjunnesson has been temporarily replaced on SONIC SYNDICATE's current European tour by "longtime friend" Christoffer Andersson.

Richard's brother Roger Sjunnesson plays guitar in SONIC SYNDICATE and has no intention of leaving the band, according to Richard. However, the two brothers plan on forming a new project together with "an old friend who most of you are pretty familiar with."

SONIC SYNDICATE's latest album, "We Rule The Night", was released in Europe on August 27 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded at Bohus Sound studios in Kungälv, Sweden with producer Toby Wright, who has previously worked with KORN, SLAYER, MÖTLEY CRÜE, KISS, FEAR FACTORY, IN FLAMES, STONE SOUR and OZZY OSBOURNE, among others.

Pictured below: Richard Sjunnesson holding a copy of a Swedish newspaper article in which he discusses in depth his split with SONIC SYNDICATE