SOILWORK drummer, Henry Ranta (who also drums for THE DEFACED), has abruptly quit SOILWORK after five years with the band. His official statement reads as follows:
“I guess this is supposed to be a statement of why and when I decided to leave SOILWORK, but since this is a well thought out decision (not an easy one though) I will try and keep away from the sentimental ‘bullshit’ and just focus on the hard facts. Combining my daytime job, rehearsing, recording and touring with SOILWORK has basically worn me out. This didn’t really make a difference the first couple of years in SOILWORK, but as time went on I started digging a black hole for myself.
“For the past two years I haven’t really found any joy playing, and with all the tours coming up this year I felt that it was time for me to leave. Playing in SOILWORK has been my life 24/7 for five years now, and at one point last year, I started to open my eyes to a lot of things that has been neglecting, just because I had been to concentrated on one thing only. Basically I’m gonna start investing more time in things that are making me happy right now. I’ll take a peek at the other side, and I’m pretty sure that I’ll enjoy what I’ll find. But you’re not gonna get rid of me yet though. It’s not like I’m gonna stop playing drums. You will still hear me fucking shit up in THE DEFACED and other projects. A really big thanks to all SOILWORK fans for amazing support throughout years – love ya all!
“Finally I would like to say a big fucking ‘hell yeah’ to the band for five beautiful years of insanity.”
While SOILWORK, who recently released their fifth full-length album Figure Number Five, just finished their European tour with CHILDREN OF BODOM, the band will soon embark on a North American tour with IN FLAMES, CHIMAIRA, and UNEARTH. Here are their current tour dates:
June 26 - Toronto, ON The Guvernment
June 27 - Montreal, QC The Medley
June 28 - Worcester, MA The Palladium
July 01 - Philadelphia, PA Trocadero Theatre
July 03 - Detroit, MI Harpo’s
July 04 - Syracuse, NY Hellfest
July 05 - Cleveland, OH Agora
July 06 - Chicago, IL Vic Theatre
July 07 - Minneapolis, MN The Quest
July 14 - Tempe, AZ Cajun House
July 17 - Los Angeles, CA The Palace
July 18 - San Francisco, CA outdoors at The Pound
July 19 - Portland, OR Roseland Theatre
July 20 - Seattle, WA Showbox
July 21 - Vancouver, BC Commodore Ballroom
No statement has yet been made by SOILWORK regarding a replacement for Ranta.