Former FORBIDDEN Guitarist To Perform With SANGRE ETERNA

SANGRE ETERNA, the new Oakland, California–based metal band featuring drummer Chris Kontos (ex-MACHINE HEAD, TESTAMENT, ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT, VERBAL ABUSE) and bassist Sean Smithson (SACRILEGE BC, GRINCH, THE UNCALLED FOUR),have issued the following update:

"We are sad to have to announce that our friend and guitar player, Ryo Shibata, has to return to his homeland of Japan to help with family matters. This will also end his time in our band. Ryo tried to work it out somehow with not having to leave, but this is the only answer for him now. We are crushed. We wish him all the luck in the world with what ever he does in the future."

"[Commented] Chris: 'Ryo added so much to the overall sound of SANGRE ETERNA. His soloing and writing style was crushing yet soulful. Ryo was the calm in our storm. Speaking for the rest of the guys, I can say that it was awesome and an honor to have had the chance to be in the band, record the demo and play live shows with him. HAILS TO RYO!!!!'

"In the meantime, we are proud to announce that Craig Locicero (formerly of FORBIDDEN, MANMADE GOD, and presently with SPIRALARMS) will be the stand-in guitar player for the upcoming shows, Nat's Benefit on March 10th at the Pound SF, April 14th at The Catalyst in Santa Cruz w/ EXODUS, April 15th at Bourbon Street in Concord w/ EXODUS, and May 19th at the Pound SF w/ EXODUS. This marks the first time in nine years that Craig has played metal in the Bay Area!!!! He sounds killer with us and we are honored to have him for these shows.

"Craig [commented], 'I am excited to be playing metal again. This benefit for Natalie is a great cause and I am happy to be doing it. And to wind it up, doing some shows with the mighty EXODUS is just icing on the old-school cake. Me and [Paul] Bostaph [former FORBIDDEN/SLAYER and current EXODUS drummer] on the same stage...just not at the same time, hahaha."

"After that SANGRE ETERNA will be looking for a full-time guitar player.

"Ryo will not be easy to replace, he had a real grip on the Bay Area sound. He will be missed dearly by the band, fans and friends. But going home to help at this time is his cultural duty, and we respect him so much for that."

SANGRE ETERNA recently launched their official MySpace page at this location. Currently available for streaming on the site are four demo cuts from the group's "Swine of the Times" EP: "Trapped", "Swine of the Times", "Ceremony" and "Niraya".