VEHEMENCE Members Comment On Band's Split

VEHEMENCE guitarists John Chavez and Bjorn Dannov have issued separate statements regarding the band's decision to go their separate ways via the group's official message board. Their statements read as follows:

John Chavez: "Yah, guys, it is true. I tried hard to persuade the guys to keep it together, but they felt this was the best time to throw in the towel and move on to the next chapter. I started to feel it too after what was said and presented.

"Basically, the overall vibe of VEHEMENCE was decreasing. The songs were good, and I think the whole thing with Sean Vandegrift not producing lyrics for six months, and not moving down to Phoenix, had something to do with the frustration and tension within the band leading to its demise. It would have been an awesome new VEHEMENCE record — a lot of twists and turns in the music, most diverse record ever. With replacing Nathan Gearhart — founder of VEHEMENCE, and creator of the name — it would be a different kind of presence; it would also be far from the lyrics/stories with another guy writing for us. We didn't really give Adam Cody a chance to write a whole lot either maybe a couple weeks and the stuff he came up with was pretty awesome stuff to say the least. Some bands just overwrite their old singers and move on with a new vibe and new era, but that wasn't the case with us, unfortunately.

"It's a shame we didn't quit during the peak of our career, that's usually five albums in with some worldwide touring, but better now than later, I guess.

"I am upset about this, just like all the others out there that really dug our band expecting something new and groundbreaking. A lot of new material will not be heard in the VEHEMENCE fashion, done by Dannov, Schroeder, and Kozuback anymore. Instead you'll hear bits and pieces of it in the other bands/projects we are affiliated with.

"Hope you guys enjoy whatever music we put out next. Myself, I am going to try to pursue a life on the road that can tour for two years straight with a band I create, join up with, or collaborate with, and I think with working with the right diehard 110% individuals, that will occur."

Bjorn Dannov: "It just seemed like the right thing to do. Trust me, I'm bummin on this... Seeing what people are saying really bums me out. The BLACK DAHLIA [MURDER] dudes even said something on stage last night... made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside, heh. But without Nate, it was just something else.

"Don't get me wrong, if we did record the new album, it would have been great still but not VEHEMENCE. We'd have to prove ourselves, and that's a load of shit.

"I really think we came up with some of our strongest music this year, though.

"Some of the tunes I wrote are gonna be used in my new band, ABIGIAL WILLIAMS. I'm sure John will use his songs in his next band.

"If you want to hear what the next VEHEMENCE could have been, you're just gonna have to check out our new bands once we put some CDs out.

"ABIGAIL WILLIAMS is going into the studio at the end of the month. We should have an EP out on a small European label in the upcoming months. I'll keep you all posted."

VEHEMENCE's third studio album, "Helping the World to See", is available now through Metal Blade Records. The follow-up to 2002's "God Was Created" was produced by Will Solares and VEHEMENCE at Open Primary Productions/DBD Studios in Maricopa, Arizona. Mixing duties were handled by Will Solares. Artwork was conceived by Wes Benscoter.