PARADISE LOST Drummer Quits; South American Tour Cancelled

UK gothic metal pioneers PARADISE LOST have issued the following update:

"It is with regret that we have to announce the cancellation of our South American tour. Sincere apologies to all the fans and promoters involved but this decision follows the announcement of the departure of our drummer Jeff Singer. We are committed to doing the 20th anniversary 'Unholy Trinity' dates in Europe with a stand-in drummer but it will be impossible to find and appoint a new drummer in time for the shows in South America. We hope to reschedule a South American tour next year."

Jeff Singer has issued the following statement regarding his departure from PARADISE LOST:

"I guess no one would have seen this coming but as of the end of August I will no longer be drumming for PARADISE LOST. I have decided to hang up my sticks altogether. It is an incredibly hard decision to have had to make as drumming has been my life for as long as I can remember and through good and bad has been my living for nearly 20 years. It is going to be very difficult I am sure and after four and a half years I will miss Nick, Aaron, Steve, Greg (and Milly) very much but in my heart I know that it is the correct thing for me to do.

"So why am I leaving? Well, to be honest it is a difficult thing to explain in a few paragraphs, but here goes.

"I am sure you are aware that the record industry is struggling and I, for one, have become increasingly disillusioned with the music business as a whole. I feel incredibly lucky to have travelled so much in my career. I have so many fantastic memories and have had a ton of priceless experiences. I have made friendships that will last a lifetime and I wouldn't change anything. However, to have survived in this business for so long has meant great sacrifice and I have had to move the goalposts over the years to help make things happen and try and survive through some pretty hard times. More and more is being taken away and it is getting harder and harder to make excuses for why I do this.

"We toured so hard this past year; we were basically away for five out of six months and are still out as we speak. In past years I wouldn't be bothered, but as a 37-year-old man with a family now, for me it has just been too tough. My sons are 1 and 3 and being away from them has just been too painful. I asked myself if I could see myself leaving them again for a three-month stretch and the answer was no; I couldn't. I realised there was no point in having a family if I wasn't there and that is how it has to be. Sad as it is, losing my brother two years ago showed me that there is no point in having regrets or feeling that you should have said more or done more. Carpe Diem and all that.

"Coincidentally, whilst I was thinking about my future, I confided in my best friend who ended up offering me a job which will provide me with a good career and future which for a 37-year-old man with nothing but drumming behind him was an offer too good to pass up.

"I appreciate the timing of my departure is terrible but September 1st was the start date for the job and I must go through with that.

"I feel with 'In Requiem' I have gone out on a high. It has been a fantastic two years recording and touring for the album and to tour America with NIGHTWISH the way we did fulfilled a lifelong dream for me. Not a day goes by now without me thinking about that tour and it will always be with me until the day I die.

"I thank everyone involved with PARADISE LOST and I wish you heartfelt good luck for the future. I also thank all the great musicians I have played and toured with since 1986 and especially all the fans who have made it all worthwhile. I am sure everyone will understand and respect my decision."

Footage of PARADISE LOST performing the song "The Enemy" — taken from the group's recently released DVD, "The Anatomy Of Melancholy" — can be viewed below.

"The Anatomy Of Melancholy" entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 42 (German chart rules allow music DVDs to enter album charts).

An e-card for "The Anatomy Of Melancholy" can be accessed at this location.

(Thanks: Cristobal Lagos)