GRAVE Parts Ways With Guitarist

Swedish death metal veterans GRAVE have parted ways with guitarist Magnus Martinsson. According to the group, Magnus who has played with GRAVE since 2008 and his now-former bandmates made "this joint decision after going through plans for next year and we needed to address this within the band before we start the new album process. There aren't now, and have never been, any hard feelings between us and we wish him the best in any future endeavors."

Regarding his departure from GRAVE, Magnus said, "People develop on and off the field, and sometimes in different directions, and I feel I can't fully commit to the band's upcoming and intense touring plans. So the time has come for me to pass the torch. No drama or bloodshed has occurred and I wish the guys all the best for the future.

"It's been a great time since I joined GRAVE back in 2008; I have many amazing memories from our gigs, tours and travels together, and all amazing fans and friends out there. We've toured all over the world, toured together with great bands/guys like NILE, MISERY INDEX, BELPHEGOR, KRISIUN and VADER, just to mention a few. It's been a blast!

"But don't worry folks; I wont' stop playing music. Check out my new band OVERTORTURE."

GRAVE's next live appearance is scheduled for November 12 at Club Distortion/Kulturhuset in Stockholm, Sweden. The band will celebrate the 20th anniversary of its classic 1991 debut album, "Into The Grave", by performing the LP in its entirety, along with "another handful classic tunes." Support at the show will come from VICIOUS ART and GENERAL SURGERY.

Commented GRAVE: "We've recruited Mika Lagreen (FACEBREAKER) for the Stockholm anniversary gig and he should fit right in since he already handled the stage left axe on our latest European tour. He will, of course, also be with us through the new album process and upcoming shows/tours."

GRAVE last month completed a North American headlining tour with support from BLOOD RED THRONE, PATHOLOGY and GIGAN. The band states, "We had a great time and many great shows. Since we haven't headlined the U.S. since 1996, we didn't know what to expect, but [we] must say that we were pleasantly overwhelmed by the response from our fans. This gave us the kick in the nuts and the motivation to get back over there again in a near future."

GRAVE recently inked a new deal with Century Media Records and is preparing to enter the studio to begin recording its next album for a late spring 2012 release. The group says, "We will start writing and arranging songs in November and enter the legendary Studio Soulless again in early January. We also have a very cool idea for a special bonus disc, [but] more on this later."

Quality multi-camera footage of GRAVE performing the song "For Your God" on September 7, 2011 at Peabody's in Cleveland, Ohio can be seen below (filmed in 1080p high definition by Ken Kitt and Kim Schleeper; edited and produced by Ken Kitt for GRAVE and Vidz-R-Us.com).

GRAVE last year parted ways with bassist Fredrik Isaksson "due to personal reasons and issues."

Fredrik played his last show with GRAVE in July 2010 at the Eisenwahn festival in Germany.

GRAVE's latest album, "Burial Ground", was released on June 14, 2010 via Regain Records. The CD's cover artwork was created by Costin Chioreanu of Twilight13 Media.