NINE INCH NAILS' ALESSANDRO CORTINI Quits; Band To Resume Touring As Four-Piece

Alessandro Cortini, keyboard player for NINE INCH NAILS, has announced that he is leaving the band to concentrate on his own projects. He said in a statement, "It's been exactly four years since I joined NINE INCH NAILS and the time has come for me to move onto new things. I feel a need to explore other paths in music and life which leads me to leave the tour at this stage. I am grateful of the chance i was given: it doesn't happen every day to be able to work next to some of the most talented people on this planet. Trent and Co. have been aware of this decision of mine for a while now and are prepared to take the band to the next step. Thanks to all the fans who welcomed me at the beginning of my journey and supported me through the years: I hope to see you around here or there."

NINE INCH NAILS mainman Trent Reznor revealed at the band's December 13, 2008 concert in Las Vegas that the group will hit the road in Australia in January as a four-piece. (See video footage of Trent's speech below.)

NINE INCH NAILS has tapped LOSTPROPHETS' Ilan Rubin to handle the drum duties for the group on the road beginning in early 2009.

Josh Freese, who made his final appearance with NINE INCH NAILS in Las Vegas on December 13, played with the band for the last three years, joining the lineup in late 2005.

Ilan Rubin, 20, began playing drums at the age of 8, when he discovered his father's 1968 Silver Sparkle Ludwig drum kit set up in the garage. He has reportedly taken lessons from BLINK-182's Travis Barker and David Uosikkinen, drummer of famed '80s band THE HOOTERS. He is also an accomplished guitarist and classical pianist.