Guitarist ROGER SJUNNESSON Is No Longer A Member Of SONIC SYNDICATE

Guitarist Roger Sjunnesson has left Swedish modern metallers SONIC SYNDICATE. His official statement on the matter reads as follows:

"Dear SONIC fans and fellow musicians, I'm no longer a member of the band I founded with my brother Richard ten years ago.

"A couple of weeks ago, SONIC SYNDICATE distributed a press release stating, 'Last year we parted ways with two band members,' and I think this ambiguity requires some clarification. The first member they are alluding [to] is, of course, Richard who left SONIC SYNDICATE in October 2010, and the second is — as some of you already figured out — me. However, it should be noted I was in the band well into this year and that's it.

"I will not go into any details. All I can say is that I never wanted this split to happen, and I did my very best to find an equitable solution.

"I have been in this band since day 1, written many great songs on all SONIC's albums that I am proud of, toured the world and met fans and every band I grew up listening to. This is nothing you give up easily and it feels strange to not be a part of this band anymore. But this is the last word and it's time to move forward.

"I will continue my musical career and song writing in THE UNGUIDED, where you also could find the ex-SONIC SYNDICATE vocalist duo: Richard and Roland [Johansson]. We are currently working on our follow-up album to 'Hell Frost', which was released at the end of last year.

"THE UNGUIDED just finished a mini tour in Germany, Switzerland and Czech Republic.

"To say that the response for this project has been huge would actually be an understatement.

"When we started THE UNGUIDED back in 2010, we had no idea this was going to be as big as it is — and it seems to be growing bigger by the day. We are also getting tons of e-mails everyday from people who discover our music and tell us how happy they are that the founding members of SONIC SYNDICATE are back together again. This is absolutely amazing and makes us even more dedicated to continue our journey with THE UNGUIDED.

"THE UNGUIDED lineup also consists of bassist Henric Carlsson (CIPHER SYSTEM, ex-NIGHTRAGE, ex-DEAD BY APRIL) and our soon-to-be-announced new drummer.

"In the end, I want to thank everybody for my time in SONIC SYNDICATE (especially John for many years of good work together and also for his collaboration with THE UNGUIDED to this point). A special thanks goes out to all the people involved building SONIC SYNDICATE and all the fans I had the chance to meet during the tours. You were simply amazing and I hope at some point our paths cross again."

After an almost year-long hiatus, SONIC SYNDICATE will co-headline the Vekeri Fesztival, set to take place June 21-23 in Hungary. Also scheduled to appear are AMORPHIS, NORTHER, ELUVEITIE and many other acts.

SONIC SYNDICATE's latest album, "We Rule The Night", was released in Europe on August 27, 2010 via Nuclear Blast Records.