Pluto Records’ BEAUTY TO ASHES have replaced longtime vocalist Joel Von Steitz. Citing a need for a singer with the same goals in life and music, the band has filled the vocalist position with Chris Lopez. The band had this to say about the replacement: “As a band, we came to the point where we needed to progress as musicians before going in and recording our new album, and we knew we would needed someone who had a artistic desire similar to ours and dedication to go along with it. Enter Chris Lopez, a great friend of ours for the past few years who is an incredible, diverse vocalist with a passion for singing unlike anyone we’ve ever seen… we are more than excited to have him become part of our band.”

With this change, BEAUTY TO ASHES has postponed their upcoming national tour until later in the year. Their forthcoming album, Robotic Conversations, has also been pushed back, now slated for a September 2004 release.